Join the Words Alive Team

Employment Opportunities - Detailed Description

POSITION:  Development Coordinator

STATUS: Regular, Part-Time, Non-Exempt

HOURS:  20 hours/week, occasional nights and weekends as needed (scheduled in advance). Must be available at least 3-4 days/week. Workdays/hours negotiable based on departmental needs.

LOCATION: Requires in-person/in-office work at offices in Downtown San Diego

COMPENSATION: $21-$22/hour; generous PTO and holidays, 403(b), flex spending accounts, flexible/family-friendly workplace

REPORTS TO:  Institutional Giving Manager

WHO WE ARE: Words Alive connects children, teens, and families to the power of reading.  Each year, we serve 5,000 children, teens, and families facing extraordinary life circumstances through family literacy workshops, read alouds in classrooms, and teen book clubs in San Diego County. Words Alive is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

WHO YOU ARE: Our ideal candidate:

  • Is excited about fundraising;

  • Loves efficiency, often imagining how they could tinker with a process or an event to help it flow more smoothly;

  • Is a stickler for accuracy and quality;

  • Is seeking a mission-driven workplace that values efficiency, impact, flexibility, and growth;

  • Approaches their actions, words, and work with a keen focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility; and

  • Is motivated by the power of reading!

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Development Coordinator provides critical support for the organization’s day-to-day fundraising operations, ensuring Words Alive maintains an engaged and knowledgeable network of supporters. The Coordinator is relied upon to keep the Development Team moving forward – including managing administrative tasks, facilitating communications, organizing meetings, and maintaining documentation.  As with all members of the Development Team, the Coordinator will also manage a portfolio: small gift donors (less than $1,000), including those activated through mass market strategies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative Support (35%)

  • Provide administrative support for the Development Team, including email management, scheduling, calendar support, and office support.

  • Receive, process, deposit, track donations, gifts, and pledges in multiple platforms/systems.

  • Prepare and issue donor acknowledgement and tax letters.

  • Code and file receipts, invoices, and contracts.

  • Support the annual audit, including identifying and preparing requested documentation.

  • Respond to donor inquiries, troubleshooting issues, etc.

  • Manage volunteers, including interns, as required.

Donor Engagement (25%)·      

  • Implement donor stewardship initiatives (e.g., phone calls, emails), regular donor e-newsletter, and annual impact report dissemination.

  • Support donor engagement programs (e.g., monthly donor program), including stewardship, recruitment, and reporting.

  • Assess and coordinate third-party fundraising activities.

  • Support events and campaigns including peer-to-peer campaigns, donor appreciation, donor events, service events, etc.

Communications (20%)·      

  • Create, edit, publish, and disseminate organizational content (written, audio, video, etc.) about Words Alive’s impact to key constituents and funders via e-newsletters, blog, website, and social media.

  • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to support content creation, design, production, and dissemination.

  • Design marketing materials such as flyers, posters, infographics, and other collateral.

  • Support the creation and dissemination of impact reports, mailings, press releases, funding requests, and reports, as needed.

  • Ensure accuracy and compliance with Words Alive’s brand standards across materials.

Data & Database Management (15%)

  • Manage donor database and update constituent records, enter data, and provide routine maintenance.

  • Prepare reports on fundraising activity, including coordinating with accounting department.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate has/is a(n):

  • Interest in fundraising operations and supporting fundraising efforts of a nonprofit organization.

  • Experience (1+ years) in fundraising operations, communications, administrative support roles.

  • Experience working in a CRM system.

  • Excellent, positive communicator – verbal and written.

  • Self-starter who takes ownership of tasks, with strong time management skills.

  • Well-developed ability to navigate many priorities simultaneously.

  • Comfortable with numbers and data, with a keen eye towards data accuracy.

  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse variety of individuals.

  • Sensitive to confidential and protected information; commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

  • Optimistic, positive, welcoming, thoughtful, gratitude-driven, and professional demeanor.

  • Unwavering commitment to the mission and population served.

Educational and Technical Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent, required.

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred. Certificate programs, degrees, or equivalent experience are also acceptable.

  • Confident computer skills.

    • Must be comfortable with Excel and CRM systems (DonorView).

    • Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office and remote platforms (Teams, Zoom)

    • Interest in/familiarity with graphic design tools (Canva), project management apps (Asana)

Preferred Qualifications:·      

  • Training or coursework in nonprofit management, communications, or similarly aligned fields.

  • Experience managing accounts receivable, donations, deposits, or nonprofit accounting functions.

  • Written or verbal language skills in language(s) in addition to English.

  • Prior experience volunteering with or working for a literacy, education, creative arts, or nonprofit organization.

  • Lived experiences aligned with the organization’s mission, participation in Words Alive programming..

Physical Demands, Travel & Availability

  • Ability to work on a computer and phone for at least 80% of the workday. 

  • This position may require bending, lifting, twisting, carrying, and moving materials and equipment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform essential functions.

  • Ability to attend meetings, activities, and events occasionally throughout Words Alive’s service area. Overnight travel is a rare possibility.

WORDS ALIVE VALUES & CULTURE
At Words Alive, our programs and impact made in the community are driven by our core values, which represent the motivation, dedication, and focus of our Words Alive staff and volunteers. Our values include:

  • Commitment: by pledging to make reading matter for everyone

  • Equitability: by working to level the playing field

  • Empowerment: by investing in lifelong learners

  • Responsiveness: by listening to community needs and developing innovative solutions

  • Collaboration: by partnering with the community

  • Connectedness: by creating a familial environment that includes all Words Alive participants and support

TO APPLY: Carefully review this job posting, expectations, compensation, and criteria to ensure it is a good fit. Submit 1) a brief cover letter or introductory video sharing why you’d like to work with Words Alive, and 2) a resume or summary of experiences qualifying you for this position via email (only) to: [email protected]. 

Posted: July 5, 2025 Start Date: As soon as possible