Development Communications Manager

National Indian Child Welfare Association (Nicwa) • Portland, OR

33d • $65,000 - $80,056 • Hybrid

About The Position

The development communications manager leads annual giving and donor stewardship efforts for the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA). This highly collaborative position is responsible for driving initiatives to increase contributions from individuals, corporations, and memberships to broaden the organization's support base, and plays a crucial role in cultivating long-term donor relationships through innovative stewardship strategies which reach beyond solicitation. This role is key to developing and executing a comprehensive donor relations program that supports NICWA's mission and goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, nonprofit management, public administration, marketing, public relations, business, or related field
• Three to five years of relevant work experience in fundraising or the equivalent is highly preferred
• Annual fund, prospect research, solicitation of gifts, donor stewardship, communications, and event experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of Native culture and social service systems with demonstrated working experience with tribal organizations, tribal service systems, and Tribal government structures preferred
• Proven ability to close gifts of $1,000 or more; must demonstrate comfort in making in-person funding requests/asks
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new software applications and maintain up to date knowledge of trends and best practices in nonprofit and charitable sectors
• Knowledge of a donor database system; Raiser's Edge NXT is preferred
• Knowledge of an email marketing system
• Ability to organize workload and prioritize projects for position, team, and organization
• Ability to build relationships with diverse groups; ability to understanding donor intent in giving and honoring those intentions
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and ability to actively cooperate in a team environment, both in leadership and peer relations, and motivate others to do the same
• Excellent interpersonal communication (including listening, writing, speaking), customer service, and time management skills are essential
• Proficiency operating a variety of office equipment and computer hardware/software applications, specifically Microsoft Office products, is required
• Possesses strong proofreading and grammatical skills with attention to detail
• Ability to analyze and problem solve
• This role requires the ability to travel up to 5% of the year.
• This role operates in a hybrid work setting, with specified in-office and remote workdays. In-office collaboration at NICWA's Portland office location is required on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Remote work requirements include the ability to work in a virtually professional, quiet, and distraction-free environment while maintaining availability and responsiveness during work hours. Reliability and readiness of technology is also required.
• Frequently involves prolonged periods of sitting or standing. May require occasional bending, stooping, and lifting of up to 15 pounds.
• Physical requirements are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Partners with the communications director to develop a donor relations program focused on appreciation, recognition, and engagement with NICWA supporters
• Strengthens relationships with corporate program officers by enhancing stewardship processes and tailored communications
• Leads strategic outreach campaigns targeting diverse supporter groups via email, online events, and paid media
• Increases individual and corporate giving through workplace programs, matching gifts, and other initiatives while strengthening the pipeline for major and planned gifts
• Ensures consistent messaging and branding across all development efforts to promote NICWA's mission nationally
• Develops and executes multi-year plans to increase annual giving and donor engagement, aligning efforts with organizational and departmental goals
• Plans and manages fundraising initiatives, including appeals, social media, and crowdfunding campaigns; maintains charitable giving platforms like Candid and Charity Navigator
• Collaborates with the executive director and board fundraising committee to achieve annual fundraising goals and engage board members in outreach efforts
• Designs and manages systems for donor acknowledgment, stewardship, and recognition, leveraging Raiser's Edge to optimize workflows
• Plans, implements, and monitors organizational member acquisition and retention efforts and communications in collaboration with program teams
• Leads non-conference fundraising events and contributes to conference activities, including sweepstakes coordination and paddle-raise planning
• Assists in identifying and preparing materials for corporate grant opportunities
• Maintains a strong understanding of NICWA's mission and programs to effectively communicate with donors and stakeholders
• Performs other duties and assignments as directed
• Participates in NICWA activities and teams as required
• Contributes to organization-wide initiatives and special projects as needed
• Participates in the Constituent Engagement Team, Executive Team, and Annual Conference Team

Benefits

• All employees receive $1,300 a month to purchase benefits through our cafeteria plans. We offer Kaiser Permanente medical, vision, dental, 403(b) retirement, FSA, long-term disability, short-term disability, life insurance, and legal insurance. Remaining funds may be applied to retirement or taken as taxable wages.
• Full-time employees receive 4 weeks paid vacation time, generous paid sick leave, 40 hours bereavement leave, and 13 paid holidays annually.
• All employees receive $1,000 a year for professional development.
• After seven years of service, employees are eligible for a paid 30 day sabbatical.
• After 14 years of service, employees are eligible for a paid 60-day sabbatical.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager