Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Nonprofit Communications Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a proactive Nonprofit Communications Coordinator to develop and execute strategic communications that elevate our mission, engage donors and stakeholders, and drive fundraising and program impact. This role combines content creation, digital marketing, media relations, CRM-supported donor communications, and brand management. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and project manager with experience in nonprofit communications, social media, email marketing, and basic design tools.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Communications Assistant
Development Assistant
Marketing Coordinator

Advancement To:

Communications Manager
Development/Advancement Manager
Director of Communications

Lateral Moves:

Grant Writer
Program Manager
Volunteer & Engagement Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with organizational goals, integrating content calendars, messaging frameworks, channel plans, and measurable KPIs to grow audience engagement and donor retention.
Write, edit and proofread high-impact donor communications including appeals, stewardship letters, grant narratives and impact stories that clearly articulate outcomes and inspire action.
Manage and grow the organization’s social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok) by producing platform-specific content, scheduling posts, moderating comments, and using analytics to refine strategy.
Plan, execute and analyze email marketing campaigns using Mailchimp/Constant Contact/HubSpot, including audience segmentation, A/B testing, deliverability optimization and performance reporting.
Design and produce branded visual collateral for print and digital channels using Canva or Adobe Creative Suite, ensuring accessibility and consistency with brand guidelines across campaigns.
Maintain and update website content on WordPress/Drupal/Wix, implement basic SEO best practices, troubleshoot content issues and collaborate with web developers to improve user experience and conversion paths.
Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories and op-eds; build and maintain local and national media contacts; pitch stories and coordinate interviews to secure earned media coverage.
Create multi-format storytelling assets — short videos, photo essays, beneficiary profiles and program infographics — that translate program impact into compelling narratives for donors, partners and the public.
Support fundraising campaigns and virtual/in-person events by developing promotional copy, social toolkits, event communications, registration pages and post-event impact reports.
Steward internal communications to staff, board members and volunteers by producing internal newsletters, board reports, talking points and maintaining an up‑to‑date communications repository.
Monitor and report on communications metrics (open rates, click-through, engagement rate, website traffic, media mentions), produce monthly dashboards and recommend optimizations grounded in data.
Maintain a donor communications calendar and ensure timely acknowledgement, receipt generation and stewardship workflows in partnership with development and CRM administrators.
Oversee brand management and editorial standards by maintaining brand guidelines, updating templates, and training program staff to ensure consistent external messaging.
Coordinate and manage photo and video shoots including shot lists, consent forms, asset licensing, and post-production direction to produce campaign-ready media.
Administer and maintain CRM records (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud) to support segmented outreach, track communications history and inform targeted engagement strategies.
Build and manage strategic partnerships with community organizations, coalition partners and influencers to amplify campaigns and co-create content that reaches new audiences.
Produce tailored communications materials such as case studies, one-pagers, flyers and program briefs to support grant proposals, stakeholder meetings and program outreach.
Ensure compliance with communications-related legal and ethical guidelines including privacy, photo/video release forms, fundraising disclosure laws and copyright/usage rights.
Manage small communications budgets, contract and coordinate with external vendors (photographers, printers, consultants) and process invoices in collaboration with finance.
Lead crisis communications planning and response; draft holding statements, escalation matrices and coordinate approvals to protect organizational reputation during sensitive incidents.
Train staff, volunteers and spokespeople on message discipline, media interview technique and social media best practices to ensure a cohesive public voice.
Collect, synthesize and translate program monitoring and beneficiary feedback into evidence-based stories and materials that strengthen grant applications, annual reports and donor stewardship.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc campaign requests and produce rapid-response content for emerging opportunities or urgent appeals.
Manage translation and accessibility workflows to ensure communications are inclusive and available in priority languages and accessible formats.
Coordinate paid social and digital advertising campaigns with Development or external agencies, including audience targeting and budget tracking.
Maintain and improve content templates, style guides and distribution playbooks to increase efficiency across program teams.
Assist with volunteer communications, recruitment materials, and onboarding guides that communicate brand and mission clearly.
Support prospect research and donor briefings with communication-ready summaries, bios and outreach templates.
Conduct periodic audits of communications channels, assets and CRM segmentation to identify gaps and opportunities for consolidation and improvement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Strategic communications planning and content calendar management
Excellent copywriting, editing and proofreading for multiple audiences and channels
Email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, HubSpot) — segmentation, automation, A/B testing
Social media management and analytics (Meta Business Suite, Hootsuite, Later, X analytics)
Website content management (WordPress, Drupal, Wix) and basic SEO techniques
CRM systems for nonprofits (Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, Raiser’s Edge) — segmentation and reporting
Graphic design tools (Canva; Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and basic layout skills
Basic video production and editing (Adobe Premiere Rush, iMovie, CapCut) and photo direction
Media relations and press release drafting, pitching and monitoring (Cision, Meltwater a plus)
Data analysis and reporting (Google Analytics, Google Data Studio/Looker Studio, Excel/Sheets)
Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG) and multichannel distribution best practices
Basic HTML/CSS familiarity for minor website edits and email template adjustments

Soft Skills

Exceptional storytelling and narrative development tailored for donor and stakeholder engagement
Strong project and time management; able to manage multiple campaigns and deadlines simultaneously
High attention to detail with excellent editorial judgment and brand stewardship
Collaborative team player who partners effectively with programs, development and leadership
Adaptability and resourcefulness in a fast-paced nonprofit environment with competing priorities
Empathy and cultural competence when representing beneficiaries and community voices
Strategic thinking and ability to translate program outcomes into communications goals
Relationship-building skills to cultivate media, vendor and partner networks
Problem-solving orientation and calm under pressure during crisis communications
Initiative to propose new ideas, test tactics and iterate based on performance data

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English, Nonprofit Management, or related field; OR equivalent professional experience in nonprofit communications.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree plus professional certifications or coursework in digital marketing, nonprofit fundraising, or media relations.
Coursework or certification in SEO, Google Analytics, or Adobe Creative Suite is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Communications / Journalism
Marketing / Public Relations
English / Creative Writing
Nonprofit Management / Public Policy

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of communications, marketing, or development experience; at least 1–2 years in a nonprofit environment preferred.

Preferred:

2–4 years of hands-on experience managing social media, email campaigns and website content for a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
Demonstrated experience using a nonprofit CRM (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) for segmented communications and donor stewardship.
Experience supporting fundraising campaigns, event communications and media outreach with measurable results.