Description

Rising Organizers trains everyday people to build community power and lead movements for justice and democracy. We focus on developing grassroots leaders who fight for material change in their local communities. Our programs center on leadership development, community organizing, and weaving best practices therein across institutions. 

Since our founding in 2016, we have trained over 5,000 new and emerging leaders across the country, held 16 intensive community organizing fellowships, enrolled over 260 alumni in this fellowship, and partnered with over 90 organizations across the country. The majority of our programming takes place in Washington, DC, with partnership opportunities across the country.

Position Overview

The Development and Marketing Manager is responsible for guiding Rising Organizers’ fundraising, marketing, and digital communications strategy. This position will own the systems, storytelling, and campaigns that sustain and grow the organization’s work.

This role is designed for someone with significant experience in formalizing fundraising programs, executing projects independently, and exercising strong judgment. As the first full-time member of our development team, you’ll have the opportunity to design infrastructure and systems from scratch, and the ideal candidate is comfortable operating without a defined blueprint. In addition to this opportunity to be creative in your work, as a growing organization we are excited to be a place where employees can grow their careers and look forward to you joining our team.

Core Responsibilities

Development and Fundraising Leadership (60%)

- Establish systems that ensure Rising Organizer's communications with donors and transactions are well-documented and easily accessible in the donor CRM.
- Develop and own annual individual giving and small-dollar fundraising strategies, including goals, targets, and timelines.
- Lead donor stewardship and engagement strategies to improve retention, deepen relationships, and grow recurring giving.
- Plan and execute major fundraising campaigns (e.g. end-of-year, sustainer drives, seasonal appeals) in collaboration with with the Executive Director
- Manage donor pipelines, prospect research, and segmentation for individuals and institutional funders.
- Design and maintain efficient workflows for gift processing, acknowledgements, donor communications, and reporting.
Identify and implement improvements to fundraising tools and systems to support growth and sustainability.

Marketing and Digital Communications (40%)

- Develop and manage a cohesive marketing and communications strategy aligned with fundraising and programmatic goals.
- Own messaging, storytelling, and editorial planning across email, social media and campaign materials.
- Ensure consistent brand voice, accessibility, and values-aligned messaging across all public-facing content.
- Track and analyze performance metrics (email, social, digital campaigns) and use data to refine strategy.
- Collaborate closely with program staff to translate impact into compelling donor and public narratives.

Requirements

Experience & Qualifications

Required

- At least 4 years of experience in nonprofit or campaign fundraising, marketing, communications, partnerships, external affairs, or other fundraising and marketing roles. 
- Demonstrated success independently managing fundraising or marketing projects with measurable outcomes.
- Experience with donor databases/CRMs and fundraising operations.
- Excellent writing and storytelling skills for donor, digital, and public audiences.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and make decisions independently.
- Strong alignment with Rising Organizers’ values and a commitment to equity, justice, and community-centered work.

Preferred

- Experience raising mid-level to major gifts ($1,000 and above).
- Background in organizing, advocacy, or civic engagement.