Summary
Description
About Groundwork Denver:
Groundwork Denver (GWD) is a 501(c)3 non-profit community-based organization that partners with communities to improve the physical environment and promote health, equity, and resilience. We work where environmental and social challenges intersect; ensuring that all people, regardless of zip code, have access to clean air, healthy food, green spaces, and sustainable housing.
With a current annual budget of approximately $2 million, GWD is entering an exciting new chapter: strengthening and diversifying its fundraising portfolio beyond government grants to include a growing base of individual, corporate, and community-based support.
POSITION SUMMARY
Development and Communications Director (DCD) will lead GWD’s efforts to expand and sustain a diverse funding base while amplifying the organization’s public presence. This role is ideal for a strategic, creative development professional eager to help build a more sophisticated, sustainable, and community-centered fundraising program.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the DCD will serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and Board External Affairs Committee, overseeing all aspects of development (≈70%) and marketing and communications (≈30%).
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
- Partner with the Executive Director and Board External Affairs Committee to develop and implement an integrated Development and Communications strategy.
- Establish annual and long-term goals to ensure diversified revenue growth, prioritizing growth in GWD’s annual individual, corporate, and community-based giving programs.
- Serve as a strategic partner aligning fundraising, communications, and program narratives around GWD’s mission, centering environmental justice, community health, and workforce development priorities.
Development (≈70%)
- Lead strategies for individual and corporate giving, including annual appeals, monthly donor programs, and sponsorships.
- Design and implement donor cultivation and stewardship plans, centering equity and authentic relationship-building.
- Coordinate with Groundwork Denver staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors to successfully oversee at least two major fundraising events per year, along with overseeing quarterly giving campaigns.
- Manage Groundwork Denver’s donor database (CRM), ensuring accurate and timely gift entry, acknowledgment, and reporting.
- Partner with the Finance Director on fundraising projections, grant budgets, and financial reporting.
- Connect volunteers (corporate and community) with program leads for engagements that are integrating volunteer support.
- Represent GWD externally at events and community forums to build visibility and partnerships.
- Assist in the management of consultants and staff supporting events and donor communications.
Marketing & Communications (≈30%)
- In partnership with the Executive Director, centering GWD’s Environmental Justice focus, develop and execute a communications strategy that grows local awareness of Groundwork Denver’s mission, while leveraging Groundwork USA’s national messaging and assets.
- Oversee storytelling, social media, email campaigns, and digital engagement to deepen community and donor connections.
- Produce key marketing materials, including newsletters, annual reports, event collateral, etc., that highlight GWD’s impact and leadership.
- Ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all channels, centering Environmental Justice.
- Collaborate with Program Teams, Leaders, and Directors to amplify success stories and connect impact to fundraising goals.
PERFORMANCE METRICS AND FIRST YEAR PRIORITIES
In partnership with the Executive Director, the DCD will define and meet clear success measures in their first 12–18 months, including:
Fundraising & Revenue Growth
- Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement a comprehensive annual development and communications plan within the first 90 days.
- Grow individual and corporate giving program performance.
- Launch a monthly donor or recurring gift program with measurable participation growth.
- Establish systems for tracking and reporting on donor engagement and retention (Salesforce is currently being used as GWD’s data collection platform).
- Plan and execute at least two high impact fundraising events and quarterly giving campaigns that engage existing constituents and new audiences each year.
Brand & Communications
- Roll out a consistent messaging framework across digital, print, and community outreach materials, that center’s GWD’s Environmental Justice focus.
- Grow GWD’s digital reach and engagement (followers, newsletter subscriptions, and event participation).
- Develop an annual communications calendar featuring key programs, staff stories, and community impact.
Organizational Leadership
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with staff, board members, and community partners.
- Lead and strengthen the Board External Affairs Committee as an active fundraising and ambassadorial resource.
- Strategically support the development of additional earned-income streams in partnership with the Executive Director and Senior Program Director(s).
QUALIFICATIONS
- 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising and communications, with demonstrated success in individual and/or corporate giving.
- Strong understanding of marketing, communications, and brand-building strategies.
- Proven experience in building customer-loyalty through successful marketing efforts, including physical marketing, social media marketing and management, digital/affiliate marketing, in-person marketing, and more.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to inspire donors, partners, and community members to support our mission.
- Experience supervising staff or consultants and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Commitment to environmental justice, racial equity, and community empowerment.
- English and Spanish-language proficiency is preferred.
Personal Attributes: The ideal candidate for this role will possess the following skills and traits:
- Strategic thinker with strong execution skills.
- Collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment.
- Equity-minded relationship builder, who values authenticity and community voice.
- Creative storyteller who can translate program outcomes into inspiring impact narratives.
Other Requirements
- The Groundwork Denver office is located in the Cole neighborhood of Denver and is ADA compliant.
- Field work or volunteer activities may include supervising youth in natural outdoor areas and parks with uneven terrain, tree planting, lifting 50-pound bags of soil or mulch, walking and completing door-to-door canvassing, and other outdoor physical activity.
- Ability to utilize computer systems, manage phones, and travel to and from meetings and appointments.
- A background check will be completed prior to start of work and as often as annually.
TO APPLY
Please complete an application and provide a resume, along with a one- to two-page cover letter. In your cover letter, please describe why you are interested in this position and include previous fundraising and marketing experience along with impacts.
This position is open until filled. Anticipated closing date for applications is February 6, 2026, with an intended hire date of March 6, 2026.
Groundwork Denver provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status or civil union status, past or present military service, or any other protected classification. This policy applies to all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, compensation and training.
Flexible work from home options available.
Compensation: $65,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year
Groundwork Denver is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the physical environment and promote health and well-being through community-based partnerships and action. Please see our website to learn more: www.GroundworkColorado.org.
Groundwork Denver es una organización sin fines de lucro 501 (c) 3 cuya misión es mejorar el entorno físico y promover la salud y el bienestar a través de asociaciones y acciones basadas en la comunidad. Consulte nuestro sitio web para obtener más información: www.GroundworkColorado.org
