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Appleseed

Job Description: Communications Staffer

Background

Appleseed is a nonprofit network of public interest justice centers and professionals dedicated to building a society in which opportunities are genuine, access to the law is universal and equal, and government advances the public interest. Appleseed and Appleseed Centers bring together volunteers from the law, business and academic professions to devise long-term solutions to problems affecting the underprivileged and underrepresented in such areas as education and financial access. For more information visit: www.appleseednetwork.org.

Position

Appleseed is seeking a dynamic, creative, attentive communications staffer who is looking for professional growth in helping a mission driven nonprofit expand. This position reports to the Executive Director and Operations Director and is expected to work closely with a committed and energetic senior staff and Appleseed Center personnel from around the U.S. and Mexico.

The position requires:

Strong writing skills. Specifically, the ability to communicate effectively in a weekly single-issue email bulletin, quarterly newsletters, op-eds, speeches for events, website content and longer articles arising from policy papers. Would also oversee the writing and development of Appleseed’s annual report and other organizational communication materials.
Marketing skills, and a dedication to building Appleseed’s reputation for high quality and effective legal, legislative and advocacy solutions to difficult problems. Previous experience in one of Appleseed’s project areas of education, immigrant issues, financial access, elder justice or Gulf Coast recovery is a plus.
Outreach to key constituencies, such as attorneys and other professionals, conference organizers and Hill staffers.
Assurance of quality control over communications emanating from all departments, including adherence to the company’s style manual, and in building communications strategies as an essential component of others’ project work.
An ability to spot interesting stories and provide consultations to a nationwide network of public interest justice centers on their media outreach and communications plans.

Specifically

Update website – training provided;
Manage and draft external publications: Currently includes annual report and weekly email newsletters;
Compile and update distribution lists of Appleseed constituents, program stakeholders, and individuals/organizations capable of putting our recommendations into action;
Serve as point person to media (and pass off to appropriate staff);
Cultivate and sustain effective working relationships with appropriate journalists;
Write press releases, backgrounders, op-eds, etc;
Proactively generate, pitch, and place stories to targeted and widespread media designed to reach multiple constituencies;
Generate and maintain press lists;
Provide communication materials to support development and organizational efforts;
Research and track relevant news stories and placements;
Ensure the materials and web outreach strategy we develop are integrated into and implemented through the website;
Identify need for and draft new communications identity pieces;
Handle all aspects of our external communication – gathering information from staff and Appleseed Centers on a regular basis, drafting, working with a designer and producing (printing, mailing).
Manage implementation of communications strategy: Work with Executive Director on message development and media plan to make sure that process runs smoothly and on schedule. Work with senior staff on evaluating and implementing their work product, and then deciding upon and implementing next steps.
Manage internal communications: Keep staff on message and coordinate any widespread communications change

Qualifications and Requirements

The candidate should be a college graduate. S/He should be able to demonstrate success working on a team, show strong writing skills, strategic communications and marketing skills, and dedication to mission. Appleseed is a quick, but not generally rapid-react, office environment.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience up to $40k. Appleseed offers attractive benefits, currently including health care, partial gym membership reimbursement, a performance based bonus plan, short and long-term disability insurance, and a 401k matching program.

Contact Information

Please submit a cover letter, resume and writing sample to Meredith Barnes Driscoll via email at mdriscoll@appleseednetwork.org. Résumés will be reviewed as they are received. Deadline to apply is August 30, 2010. No phone calls please.

Appleseed is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, genetic information and any other protected status.

Appleseed

Job Description: Development Associate

Mission:

Appleseed, a nonprofit network of 16 public interest justice centers in the United States and Mexico, uncovers and corrects social injustices through legal, legislative and market-based structural reform. Appleseed and Appleseed Centers bring together volunteers from the law, business and academic professions to devise long-term solutions to problems affecting the underprivileged and underrepresented in such areas as education and financial access. For more information visit: www.appleseednetwork.org.

Position:

Appleseed seeks an organized, meticulous and motivated Development Associate to serve as a part-time member of its staff. The Development Associate reports directly to the Development Director. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

· Maintaining accurate and updated contribution and contact information in a database, currently DonorPerfect;

· Generating reports from donor data and analyzing effectiveness of appeals and trends in donations;

· Coordinating regular solicitation and stewardship communications including drafting and editing thank you notes and direct mail appeals and formatting and proofing documents;

· Conducting prospect research and expanding donor lists;

· Tracking donors and managing prospect lists;

· Maintaining very detailed records and reports of donors;

· Coordinating with the Deputy Communications Director, Volunteer Coordinator and other staff to ensure accurate lists across departments;

· Providing administrative support to the development department as needed;

· Collaborating on other projects with staff as assigned, including the Development Director and Event Planner on numerous fundraising events.

Qualifications:

· Very strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy;

· Excellent computer skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel and familiarity with DonorPerfect strongly preferred;

· Enthusiasm for donor lists, tracking and data;

· Confidence to ask pertinent questions to ensure job is done correctly;

· Strong initiative;

· Flexible attitude and strong work ethic;

· Demonstrated success in a fast-paced environment where multitasking and priority-setting abilities were critical to success;

· Works well with both national and local staff members;

· Strong commitment to social justice issues;

· Works effectively as a member of a very motivated and close knit team;

· Bachelor’s degree.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. Appleseed offers attractive benefits, currently including health care, partial gym membership reimbursement, a performance based bonus plan, short and long-term disability insurance, and a 401k matching program.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Meredith Barnes Driscoll at mdriscoll@appleseednetwork.org. Résumés will be reviewed as they are received. Deadline to apply is August 25, 2010. No phone calls please.