Communications Specialist - Philanthropy

Summary

Do you love telling stories that move people to action? Are you energized by creating campaigns that inspire generosity and deepen connection? This is a unique opportunity to share the powerful stories and life-changing impact of Mary Free Bed - across Grand Rapids, our partner sites, and beyond.

The Foundation Team's Communications Specialist brings our mission to life through clear, compelling, and strategic storytelling. This role leads donor-centered communications across fundraising campaigns, digital channels, print materials, and stewardship initiatives - transforming outcomes into meaningful stories of impact that connect generosity to purpose.

We're seeking a creative and proactive communicator who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys managing projects from concept to completion, and understands that great storytelling builds lasting relationships. In this role, you will play a vital part in helping donors see, feel, and understand the difference their support makes every day.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Donor Communications Strategy

• Develops and implements a comprehensive donor communications strategy aligned with organizational and fundraising goals.

• Ensures a consistent voice, tone, and messaging across all donor-facing communications.

• Translates program outcomes, data, and clinical impact into compelling stories that resonate with donors and stakeholders.

Campaign Communications

• Leads communications planning and execution for fundraising campaigns, including annual giving, special appeals, digital and print newsletters, and capital or priority initiatives.

• Creates campaign messaging, timelines, and content plans in collaboration with Foundation and program teams.

• Produces campaign assets such as emails, landing pages, letters, scripts, and visual content.

Digital Communications

• Manages and produces donor-facing digital content, including email marketing and fundraising-related social media.

• Supports digital storytelling through video, photography, and written narratives.

• Tracks and analyzes engagement metrics to inform, refine, and improve communication strategies.

Web & Print Communications

• Improves, creates, maintains, and updates donor- and impact-related web content to drive engagement and action.

• Produces print materials including brochures, reports, one-pagers, and stewardship pieces.

• Ensures all communications adhere to brand standards and reflect the organization's voice and values.

Stewardship & Impact Materials

• Creates donor stewardship materials such as thank-you communications, impact reports, and recognition pieces.

• Develops donor newsletters and special initiative materials that highlight progress, outcomes, and community benefit.

• Collaborates with program teams to gather stories, photos, and testimonials that demonstrate mission impact.

Project Management

• Manages multiple communications projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining quality.

• Builds project timelines, coordinates with internal partners, and keeps work progressing efficiently.

• Serves as a central point of contact for donor communications requests and priorities.

We'll embrace all people by:

• Treating everyone with dignity and respect.

• Opening more doors to opportunity for others to succeed.

• Growing talent and people.

• Ensuring a welcoming experience for all we serve, regardless of origin, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

• Taking action against discrimination.

• Honoring our differences and how we collaborate.

• Educating staff, patients and the communities we care for.

• Restoring hope and freedom, together.

Customer Service Responsibilities

Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members. This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions. Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Essential Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, English, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• At least 2 years of experience in communications, marketing, development communications or a related field.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

• Experience with digital platforms (email marketing, social media, web content management).

• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Experience in a healthcare, hospital, or complex mission-driven organization.

• Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven work preferred.

• Scaling and growing communications campaigns that directly result in fundraising

• Experience supporting quality-of-life, patient experience, child and family services, or community-based programs.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels:

None (No specific requirements

Occasionally (Less than 1/3)

Frequently (1/3 to 2/3)

Majority (More than 2/3)

Remain in a stationary position: Majority

Traverse or move around work location: None

Use keyboard: Frequently

Operate or use department specific equipment: None

Ascend/Descend equipment or ladder: None

Position self to accomplish the Essential Functions of the role: None

Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Frequently

Transport, position, and/or exert force:

Up to 10 pounds: Occasionally

Up to 25 pounds: None

Up to 50 pounds: None

Up to 75 pounds: None

More than 100 pounds: None

Other weight: Up to___ pounds _____

Other: _____

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to

all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@maryfreebed.com.

Mary Free Bed is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristic.