Fund Development and Communications Manager

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fund Development & Donor Relations (35%)

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fund development plan aligned with organizational goals and strategic priorities.
•  Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with individual donors, major gift prospects, corporate sponsors, and community partners.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities to support organizational growth and sustainability.
• Manage annual giving campaigns, donor appeals, major gift initiatives, planned giving opportunities, and donor recognition programs.
• Coordinate donor stewardship activities, acknowledgments, impact reporting, and engagement strategies.
• Oversee donor database management, ensuring accurate records, reporting, gift processing, and tracking.
• Develop fundraising revenue projections and monitor progress toward annual fundraising goals.
• Support and engage Board members and leadership in fundraising activities and donor cultivation efforts.

Grants Management & Institutional Funding (40%)

• Lead all grant development activities, including research, planning, writing, submission, and compliance for government, foundation, and corporate funding opportunities.
• Research and evaluate funding opportunities that align with CEDC’s strategic priorities and program objectives.
• Develop compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, applications, budgets, and supporting materials.
• Manage a comprehensive grants calendar, ensuring timely submissions, reporting requirements, and renewals.
• Monitor grant performance and compliance, maintaining accurate records and internal reporting systems.
• Collaborate with program, finance, housing development, resident services, and property management staff to gather data and prepare competitive applications.
• Track federal, state, and local funding trends related to affordable housing, resident services, community development, and organizational operations.
• Attend NOFA, RFP, bidder conferences, and funding workshops as appropriate.
• Partner with the CFO and leadership team in developing grant budgets, cost allocations, revenue projections, and funding strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with foundation representatives, government agencies, corporate funders, and community stakeholders.
• Prepare grant-related presentations and reports for executive leadership, Board committees, and funding partners.

Communications & Community Relations (25%)

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all organizational communications, marketing, branding, and public relations efforts.
• Supervise and support communications staff and consultants responsible for content creation, digital communications, social media management, website updates, design projects, and media outreach.
• Develop and implement an annual communications plan that advances organizational goals, fundraising priorities, community engagement, and brand awareness.
• Review and approve newsletters, annual reports, press releases, donor communications, marketing materials, and other public-facing content to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with CEDC’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Ensure consistency of organizational messaging, brand standards, and visual identity across all communication channels and materials.
• Collaborate with leadership and department managers to identify stories, outcomes, and impact data that support fundraising, housing development, resident services, advocacy, and community engagement efforts.
• Oversee website content strategy, social media presence, media relations, and digital engagement efforts while monitoring performance metrics and recommending improvements.
• Support communications staff in coordinating organizational events, public presentations, stakeholder outreach, and community relations activities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on external communications, public messaging, and reputation management.

Leadership & Project Management

• Supervise, mentor, and support development, communications, and volunteer staff as assigned.
• Coordinate and manage fundraising events, donor recognition activities, and community engagement initiatives.
• Develop and monitor departmental budgets.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining quality standards.
• Foster cross-departmental collaboration to advance organizational goals and funding priorities
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, communications, or development.
• Demonstrated success securing foundation, corporate, and government grants.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship strategies.
• Experience managing multiple funding sources and complex grant compliance requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Exceptional grant writing, proposal development, and technical writing skills.
• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with donors, funders, community leaders, and stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze funding opportunities and develop strategic recommendations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.
• Experience with donor and grants management systems, CRM platforms, and fundraising databases.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to develop reports, charts, graphs, and data-driven presentations.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills

LICENSES & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A valid California driver’s License and proof of automobile liability insurance. Ability to travel throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties as needed.