Advancement Communications Specialist

Urbana, IL (On-site)

$40K/yr – $50K/yrMid Level2+ years expFull time

Posted 4 months ago

Top 1% of applicants do these two things.

The other 99% submit and hope. You're about to do something different.

Job Summary

Advancement communications role focused on donor-centered fundraising storytelling for St. John’s Catholic Newman Center, handling annual giving, alumni engagement, and major gifts messaging.

  • Must-have: 2–4 years of professional writing or nonprofit communications experience
  • Standout: Clear donor-centric storytelling that ties campus ministry impact to gifts
  • Standout: Alignment with Catholic mission and collaboration with campus ministry and advancement teams

Job Description

Responsibilities

  • Fundraising & Campaign Communications
  • Write and produce annual giving materials, including appeals, impact reports, case statements, stewardship pieces, and digital campaigns
  • Uphold and communicate the mission and values of SJCNC in all materials
  • Coordinate with campus ministry staff, advancement team members, and external vendors as needed
  • Work closely with the Director of Marketing & Communication to ensure brand consistency and strategic alignment
  • Alumni & Donor Communications
  • Plan, write, and edit alumni newsletters (print and digital)
  • Assist with messaging for major gift and capital campaign efforts as needed
  • Collaborate with advancement staff to ensure communications align with campaign strategy and donor segmentation
  • Develop messaging and creative content for seasonal and special fundraising initiatives

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, English, or related field
  • Highly organized and able to manage multiple deadlines and concurrent projects
  • Ability to translate spiritual impact into clear, compelling storytelling
  • Practicing Catholic who understands and is passionate about the mission of St. John’s Catholic Newman Center
  • Strong understanding of donor-centered fundraising communication
  • Excellent writing, editing, and interviewing skills
  • Ability to coordinate with outside vendors including design, print, and mail production
  • 2–4 years of professional writing or communications experience (advancement or nonprofit experience preferred)

Preferred

  • Advancement or nonprofit experience preferred

Benefits

  • A comprehensive benefits package is provided.
  • Relocation assistance and professional development support may be available.
St. John's Catholic Newman Center logo

St. John's Catholic Newman Center

You Belong Here. As one of the largest and most active Newman Centers in the nation, St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is home to 10-12,000 Catholic Illini on campus. SJCNC is comprised of St. John's Chapel and Newman Hall, a 586-bed coed private certified housing facility. About St. John's Catholic Newman CenterThe mission of St. John's Catholic Newman Center is to lead college students to lifelong connection with Christ and His Church through the sacraments and a vibrant, inviting community. Through our work, we aim to build up the Catholic faith: attracting, equipping, and sending forth an ever-growing community of young Catholics prepared to respond with generosity to the needs of the Church.Offering daily Masses, Adoration, and Confessions, SJCNC also hosts a diverse set of ministry programs - ranging from Bible studies and retreats focused on the needs of college students to social events like Intramural Athletics and more.About Newman HallNewman Hall is a 586-bed coed private certified housing facility offering premium amenities in a dynamic student community. Located at the center of campus just steps from the Quad, Newman Hall offers both suite-style living and traditional dorm-style rooms. Our student community is the most active and vibrant on campus, with faith-based opportunities, social events, discussions and lectures, intramural sports teams, and so much more. As part of the St. John's Catholic Newman Center, our faith-based facility provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all. Students enjoy access to unique amenities not found elsewhere, including 14 full time pastoral and support staff, 24-hour access to St. John's Catholic Chapel, and a host of ministry programs and student groups that complement the vibrant student community.

Founded in 1920
Champaign, Illinois, USA
56 employees (6 in marketing)

Traffic Signals

Monthly Visitors
6.6K
Traffic Source Mix
Search
35.6%
Direct
49.7%
Referral
4.9%
Social
9.1%
Paid
0.7%

Headcount Trend

Current headcount: ~56

Marketing Team

Marketing Team Size
5 (9% of company)