CitySprouts Communications and Development Manager
Start Date: January 2026
Office Location: Cambridge, MA, Hybrid schedule with at least three in-office days per week
Reports to:Director of Development and Communications
Salary: $55,000
Benefits: Health and dental insurance, retirement plan with 3% match, generous paid time off
About CitySprouts
The CitySprouts mission is to cultivate curiosity and wonder in students through hands-on science learning in their own schoolyard gardens. Established in 2001, CitySprouts’ in-school and out-of-school time garden education programs currently operate in partnership with 24 Boston and Cambridge public schools. Core to our work with pre-K-8 students is equitable access to science learning and nature. Our tuition-free programs take place in and around public school gardens, making them familiar and accessible places in the neighborhood where young people live, learn and play.
The Position
We seek a highly organized, energetic self-starter with experience in non-profit communications and fundraising. The Communications and Development Manager will take a lead role in developing and executing all communications planning, including donor communications, social media, and website management. This role also oversees database administration and event planning, and supports grant management. The Manager will supervise a TerraCorps member and is a key member of the development and communications team, working at the direction of the Director of Development and Communications and in collaboration with the Executive Director.
The compensation for this position is $55,000 annually with comprehensive benefits, and is ideal for someone who is ready to expand and deepen their fundraising skills with the opportunity to learn and grow within a dynamic organization. We are a small team, and collaboration, an entrepreneurial spirit and continuous learning are encouraged.
Key Responsibilities:This individual’s work supports the implementation of a development and communications plan that increases engagement, builds community, and helps us convey the impact of our work to donors, program volunteers and stakeholders.
Communications and Marketing: 40%
- Oversee internal and external communications in line with strategic fundraising goals. Support donor (current and perspective) outreach initiatives, including website management, monthly newsletter, blog posts, and social media
- Build out media contacts and develop press releases, including graphic design and others; ensure consistent branding and messaging across all communications.
- Develop and Manage communications calendar
- Manage communications platforms. Ensure CitySprouts media, website and messaging is up-to-date
- Develop content for social media channels with differentiated messaging for CitySprouts’ various stakeholders
- Represent CitySprouts at community outreach events as needed
Donor engagement: 30%
- Support all donor engagement, campaigns and recognition efforts; craft tailored communications for segmented donor groups.
- Track and process donor gifts and acknowledgements in Bloomerang database, including creating accurate timelines, maintaining contact information, and documenting, recognizing, and processing all pledges and gifts in a timely manner..
- Assist in grant and corporate communications
- Manage donor mailings, invoicing and acknowledgements
- Support ongoing grant prospecting and research efforts
Event Planning: 20%
- Support all aspects of our signature fundraising events, including the fall Annual Meeting, Community events, our annual spring Dig It! Event and other fundraising events as planned
- Support volunteer recruitment
- Oversee event outreach communications, logistical details and participant tracking
General Organizational Support: 10%
- Support Board and Development Committee meetings
- Oversee general office-related tasks
- Oversee onboarding logistics for new hires
- Occasional support of Program and Operations needs
Required Qualifications
- Commitment to and interest in the CitySprouts mission
- 3+ years of professional experience in non-profit communications or development roles, with increasing responsibility
- Excellent writing and editing capabilities for the creation of various communications including informational brochures, donor correspondence and electronic communications
- Strong understanding and practice of cultural humility and respect for others
- Creative design expertise; experience with Canva preferred
- Experience with social media and digital marketing
- Event-planning and/or Project Management experience
- Effective communication and presentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to identify, collect, organize and synthesize information from various data sources
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, and Word) and high comfort level with/interest in working with and managing a CRM or database
- Creative, resourceful, and ready to problem solve
- Willingness to function effectively both individually and as a member of a team, and to participate in activities that will contribute to the overall success of an entrepreneurial nonprofit program
Desired Qualifications
- Understanding of nonprofit fundraising activities and some database/CRM management experience
- Press/media relations experience
Education and Experience
- Experience with organizations focused on education, youth development, social justice or similar fields.
- Post-secondary work experience in fundraising and/or communications. Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of experience in the field; or equivalent work experience.
Work environment and physical requirements
This position is based in the CitySprouts office in Central Square, Cambridge. Schedule is M-F in the office with the potential for 1-2 days/week working remotely. Occasional weekend and evening work (no more than once per month).
Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@citysprouts.org, with the subject line “Communications and Development Manager”.
CitySprouts strives to actively build a community of teachers, students and families united around public education, gardens and connecting children to the natural world. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are among the core principles that define our work, and thus we actively seek to build a team that is inclusive of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
CitySprouts does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or citizenship in any of its programs. It is CitySprouts’ policy to maintain a safe, educational and engaging work environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment in any form.
