Development & Communications Assistant

Position Title: Development & Communications Assistant
Reports To: Director of Development
Job Classification: Non-Exempt
Date Revised: February 2025
 
The Development & Communications Assistant plays a key role in supporting the strategic fundraising and marketing efforts of Sunshine Place. This position provides broad based support including but not limited to coordination of special events, donor records and database management, grant research and writing support, creation of content to communicate with both community and individual stakeholders, and other duties as assigned by the Director of Development or Executive Director. This position will work collaboratively with the Director of Development, Executive Director, Sunshine Place donors, and other community partners as needed. The ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, highly organized, and passionate about working to assist community members facing hardship.
 
Sunshine Place, Inc. is a local non-profit organization located in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. Our mission is to serve as a centralized location for those seeking help with food, housing, clothing, and other essential services.
 
Position Responsibilities & Essential Job Duties

• Manage and plan fundraising and stewardship events as directed by the Director of Development.
• Coordinate event logistics and communications, including registrations, sponsorships, and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain and update donor database, ensuring accurate records, reports, and letters.
• Assist with donation processing, receipts, and pledge forms as needed.
• Conduct donor research and coordinate weekly and quarterly donor contacts.
• Assist in planning and executing fundraising campaigns, including annual and special initiatives.
• Work with staff to gather and maintain a depository of impact numbers, stories, and photos for use in newsletters, grant proposals, on our website and social media, campaigns, and more.
• Respond to donor inquiries and Google Reviews as needed.
• Support grant writing, research, reporting, and compliance efforts.
• Assist in drafting communications, including thank you letters, monthly newsletters, annual reports, website content, and press releases as needed.
• Manage and create social media content.
• Maintain and update website content for accuracy.
• Annually update Charity Navigator, Candid, Great Nonprofits listings for Sunshine Place.
• Other job duties as assigned.

 
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Associate degree in communications, nonprofit management, social sciences, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1-2 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, grant writing, and/or administrative support.
• Experience in event management, planning support, or similar work preferred.
• Strong organization, planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including donor relations and/or customer service.
• High level of personal and professional integrity, including ability to exhibit confidentiality and ethical decision making in work related to donors and clients.
• Ability to hold oneself accountable for actions, successes, and failures.
• Ability to be flexible in the work environment to take direction, work cooperatively as a team, work independently, and adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Experience with donor management systems preferred.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Gmail.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s license, proof of insurance and be willing to travel locally as needed.
• Must be able to work occasional evening hours or weekends as needed.

Personal/Physiological: Interaction with people; working around people; ability to meet deadlines and finish work; accepting critical feedback and re-direction as needed; communicating with community stakeholders and colleagues.
 
Physical Requirements: Office setting may require long periods of sitting, with occasional standing, walking, driving, stooping, crouching, and kneeling; frequent reaching, carrying, lifting, pushing, grasping, typing, talking - speaking clearly, hearing conversation, and seeing nearby. Ability to occasionally lift boxes or materials up to 25lbs. or exert equal force.
 
Work/Environmental: Moderate noise level consistent with an office environment.
 
Note:  The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.