Contract Storyteller (Communications Specialist)

Contract Details

• • Type: Independent contractor
  • Duration: Project-based over the next two quarters
  • Location: Remote
  • Compensation: Approximately $35,000 for the full project scope

Most institutional work is described in reports.

We’re looking for someone who can turn it into stories people actually want to read.

C&S is seeking a contract storyteller to help uncover and shape powerful narratives emerging from college campuses across the country.

These campuses are part of the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness (CP2) coalition — a network of more than 125 colleges and universities working to prepare students for civic life.

The contractor will lead the strategic and creative direction for several storytelling projects, including narrative-driven case studies and the CP2 annual impact report.

This work contributes to C&S’s broader mission: sparking 20 million young people to step up as civic problem-solvers by 2029.

Our storytelling approach is simple:

Show the work. Real people. Real challenges. Real civic problem-solving.

The Work

Over the next two quarters, you will help lead storytelling for two core projects.

Narrative Case Studies

Three case study-like outputs highlighting how members of the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness coalition are building a strong civic culture where every student can practice the essential civic skills they need to become engaged citizens.

Annual Impact Report

A publication designed to read less like a traditional nonprofit report and more like a clear, engaging narrative about what is actually happening across the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness coalition.

Rather than producing traditional communications materials packaged as PDFs, this role focuses on finding and shaping the stories that show civic learning in action.

Key responsibilities include:

• • Working with the C&S team to identify compelling student-driven stories from a 125+ campus network
  • Drawing mostly from an existing storybank, and developing new stories where needed
  • Writing case studies, report content, and narrative storytelling aligned with the C&S brand voice
  • Developing content designed to work across reports, web, and digital storytelling formats
  • Providing strategic and creative direction for storytelling projects
  • Collaborating closely with a C&S Marketing Director, Communications Manager, and Graphic Designer to shape final outputs

Who This Role Is For

This role is best suited for someone who thinks of themselves as a storyteller first.

Strong candidates may come from backgrounds in:

• • Content creation
  • Journalism
  • Editorial or mission-driven content creation

You might be a good fit if you:

• • Are an exceptional digital-first writer and storyteller
  • Can identify compelling narratives within complex material
  • Know how to translate institutional work into clear, human-centered stories
  • Enjoy collaborating with designers and creative teams
  • Are comfortable working independently on project-based work

Helpful, but not required:

• • Experience with higher education
  • Experience with civic engagement or democracy work
  • Experience producing impact reports, narrative case studies, or long-form storytelling

A Note on Fit

This role, however, is specifically designed for someone who sees themselves as a storyteller first. If your work is primarily focused on media relations, marketing campaigns, or institutional messaging, this role may not be the best fit. But if you enjoy reporting, interviewing, finding narrative threads, and shaping stories that bring complex work to life, we encourage you to submit your materials.

About C&S

Founded in 1945 as the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, C&S (cands.org) sparks young people to create bold, fresh civic solutions that move our country forward.

Guided by the Power of &, C&S is grounded in a simple belief: young people with ideas—not institutions with ideologies—make our country stronger. At a time of deep division and rapid change, we meet young people where they are—on campuses, in workplaces, and in communities—and equip them with the civic skills, support, and real-world opportunities to lead change.

Across all of our work, C&S helps young people practice three essential civic skills: having productive conversations, using credible information, and collaborating to create solutions.

By 2029, C&S aims to spark 20 million young people to step up as civic problem-solvers.

This is a contract role and will not offer benefits.