Communications and Development Coordinator

Our Mission: Our mission is to provide the Northwest Side and Belmont Cragin with the tools and resources to preserve affordable housing, prevent displacement, and provide business development assistance to local small businesses.

We develop and implement innovative community-based strategies that drive economic opportunity, build resilient neighborhoods, and ensure an equitable framework for the future wellbeing of Belmont Cragin and the Northwest Side of Chicago. We advance our mission by providing technical assistance and access to capital for small business owners, counseling for renters as well as community development and cultural place keeping work. These initiatives build wealth, prevent displacement, and empower community leaders.

Our Vision is a resilient Latine community where all individuals, families, and business owners are thriving economically and culturally. We are working toward a future where everyone has the resources and support to achieve their personal potential and see their dreams become a reality.

Our Values:

Resident-Led: We center the voices and leadership of Belmont Cragin residents in every decision, ensuring community priorities drive neighborhood change. From board to staff, we residents and program participants are central to decision making and programming.

Responsive: We adapt quickly to emerging needs and opportunities, meeting our community where they are with timely, relevant support.

Relational: We build deep, trust-based relationships across sectors, believing collaboration is the foundation of sustainable impact. We believe strong relationships are built on mutual exchange, where giving and receiving hold equal value

Innovative: We pilot creative solutions that challenge traditional approaches to community and economic development. We are inspired by thinking outside of the box and we welcome new ideas and approaches.

Data-Driven: We use metrics and lived experience together to guide strategy, measure impact, and continuously improve outcomes. We value both quantitative and qualitative measures to drive impact.

Position Summary:

The Communications and Development Coordinator plays a key role in advancing Northwest Side Community Development Corporation’s mission by supporting strategic communications, fundraising, and external engagement efforts. This position is responsible for amplifying the organization’s impact through compelling storytelling, maintaining consistent branding across platforms and programs, and supporting donor and funder communications.

Working closely with the Grants and Communication Manager and program staff, the Coordinator helps implement communications strategies, manages digital and print content, assists with grant development and reporting, and supports fundraising campaigns and events. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and communicator, detail-oriented, creative, and deeply aligned with community-centric economic development and equity work.

This role is well-suited for someone who thrives in a collaborative, grassroots nonprofit environment and is eager to grow their skills in both communications and development while contributing to meaningful, place-based impact on the Northwest Side of Chicago.

Job Responsibilities:

Communications (70%):

• Managing social media promotions for NWSCDC services, workshops, events, and volunteer opportunities.
• Creating promotional social media content for businesses participating in our programming.
• Creating content for and designing all NWSCDC newsletters: Monthly email with grants, workshops, and resources for business owners
  • Monthly email with organizational updates for Board of Directors
  • Quarterly organizational updates for community and funders
  • Quarterly success story/small business highlight email for community and funders
• Ensuring NWSCDC website is updated with current and relevant content.
• Creating and/or coordinating occasional video marketing content.
• Writing and distributing press releases, bringing in media to cover programming and events, developing a network of relationships with Chicago media professionals.
• Creating and designing other marketing collateral as needed
• Bringing branding and designs for different events and programs into a cohesive visual identity.

Development (30%):

• Supporting program evaluation and data analysis for storytelling.
• Supporting program teams in developing volunteer opportunities.
• Cross training for grants reporting.
• Supporting campaign planning for fundraising.

Expectations:

• Full-time, salaried.
• Will report to Grants and Communications Manager.
• Ensure that all external communications are consistent with established organizational voice.
• Practice a commitment to ethical storytelling that prioritizes the dignity of the community we serve.
• This position will report in person four days a week and 1 day work remotely. This opportunity is not available for out-of-state and/or full-time remote work.

Desired skills and experience:

• Excellent written communication skills and a demonstrated talent for storytelling.
• Some graphic design skills or at least excellent proficiency with Canva/similar tools.
• Some photography and videography experience.
• Education/experience in organizational communications.
• Social media management experience.
• Conversational level of Spanish preferred.
• Lived experience or cultural competency for working with underserved populations and communities of color.

Application attachments

• Required: 2 writing samples – organizational communications samples are ideal but can be writing of any kind, just include context for which sample was written.
• Optional: 2-3 visual design samples – again, include context.

-Health, vision, dental, life insurance

-Paid time off

-Professional development stipend

-Long term/short term disability

English and Spanish bilingual.