Communications & Development

The Communications & Development Coordinator/ Manager supports and advances Common Threads Farm's fundraising, donor engagement, and external communications efforts. This role helps tell the story of the organization's impact through newsletters, appeals, social media, website content, events, and donor communications, while also supporting development systems, campaign execution and relationship-building efforts led by the Executive Director.

This position is ideal for a strong communicator and relationship-builder who thrives in a small nonprofit environment and enjoys balancing strategy with hands-on execution. The successful candidate will be highly organized, creative and proactive, with the ability to independently manage communications and development priorities while collaborating closely with the Executive Director and broader team.

Responsibilities

1. Communications, Marketing & Storytelling

• Manage a content calendar for external communications, including newsletters, email campaigns, social media, and website updates.
• Draft and schedule content that highlights Common Threads Farm's programs, impact, partnerships, and community presence.
• Gather and organize stories, quotes, photos, and basic program updates from staff and partners for use in donor and public-facing communications.
• Support creation of print and digital communication materials such as one-pagers, flyers, event invitations, appeal materials, and simple reports.
• Help maintain a consistent organizational voice, message, and visual style across platforms and materials.
• Assist with website updates and basic content management as needed.

2. Donor Communications & Fundraising Support

• Support planning and execution of fundraising campaigns, including annual appeals, seasonal campaigns, GivingTuesday, and other donor outreach efforts.
• Draft donor-facing communications including thank-you letters, stewardship emails, appeal language, and donor updates.
• Coordinate donor acknowledgments and stewardship touchpoints to help ensure timely, thoughtful follow-up.
• Support donor meetings, tours, and cultivation activities led by the Executive Director, including scheduling, materials preparation, and follow-up.
• Help track campaign timelines, tasks, and deliverables so fundraising efforts stay organized and on schedule.

3. Development Systems & Reporting

• Maintain a clean, accurate donor CRM and ensure gifts, contact records, notes, and follow-up actions are entered consistently and on time.
• Generate simple development reports for the Executive Director and board, such as donor lists, campaign updates, lapsed donor reports, or giving summaries.
• Support list pulls, mailings, and segmentation for appeals, newsletters, and stewardship efforts.
• Support development planning, goal setting, and evaluation of fundraising activities in partnership with the Executive Director.

4. Events & Community Engagement Support

• Support planning & coordination of donor, community and fundraising events
• Assist with invitations, RSVPs, event communications, materials, and post-event follow-up.
• Represent Common Threads Farm professionally and warmly with donors, partners, families, and community members.
• Support other communications and development-related projects as needed.

• 3-5 years of professional experience in communications, fundraising, marketing, donor relations, nonprofit development, or a related field.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage projects and priorities effectively, and collaborate with colleagues while exercising good judgment about when to seek input and guidance.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor tone and messaging for different audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple timelines, projects, and follow-up tasks
• Comfort with digital communications tools such as email platforms, social media, and basic design tools
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to represent the organization in a welcoming, professional way.
• Commitment to Common Threads Farm's mission and enthusiasm for food, education, and community-based work., * Experience supporting both communications and fundraising in a small nonprofit setting.
• Familiarity with donor CRMs (Neon, boomerang, or other), email marketing platforms, or event/ticketing tools.
• Experience using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar design tools.
• Experience updating website content in WordPress or Squarespace or a similar platform.
• Experience in and passion for food systems, youth education, or community-based nonprofit work.

• Salary: $46,000-$52,000 annually for the Coordinator level, depending on experience, qualifications, and placement within Common Threads Farm's salary bands. Candidates whose experience and qualifications align with the Manager level may be considered for a higher salary placement based on the scope of responsibility, demonstrated skills, and experience they bring to the role.
• Full Time (40hrs/week), non-exempt position
• Medical & dental insurance (Common Threads Farm pays 95% for employees)
• Simple IRA retirement plan with a 3% company match
• Access to fresh, organic produce, herbs, and flowers from the gardens when available
• Time Off Policy:

• PTO: 18 days (with PTO increasing based on length of service with the organization)
• 12 Paid Holidays*
• Bonus PTO day in birth month

Work Environment & Reporting

• Reports to Executive Director
• This is an in-person position based at Common Threads Farm's Bellingham, WA office, with flexibility provided on basis of Manager approval, this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $46,000.00 - $56,000.00

Common Threads Farm Connects kids to healthy food in the garden, in the kitchen, and at the table. We want kids to grow up making food choices that are good for their bodies, their communities, and the environment. Founded in 2007 and based in Bellingham, Washington, Common Threads Farm is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes a "seed to table" approach to food production, good nutrition, and environmental stewardship. Common Threads Farm runs school day and after-school gardening and cooking programs, as well as spring and summer camps. Additionally, Common Threads Farm operates a mobile food truck, whose primary purpose is to provide free, nourishing foods to kids where and when they need them most.