Lead Writer

WHO WE ARE

For 40 years, Thousand Currents has learned from and invested in grassroots groups and movements in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia and the Pacific. These movement formations working for solutions in food, climate, and the economy have shaped our path and demonstrated what transformation truly looks like. We support our movement partners with core, flexible, long-term grants and value-added services, and we’ve invested over $60 million in more than 650 grassroots groups and movements across 85 countries.

OUR VALUES

At Thousand Currents, we envision a world in which self-determined and connected peoples share and uphold the abundance of life. To realize this vision, we embrace and practice a clear set of values:

• Courage - We confront injustice and inequality with love, strength, conviction, and integrity.
• Humility - We are part of a greater whole. We are one among many currents. We recognize our place among many forces for good and change that exist in the world.
• Experimentation - In order to take principled actions together, we prioritize learning, commit to self-reflection, embrace trial and error, and honor multiple ways of knowing.
• Creative collaboration - We share power, practices, and resources to reimagine new ways of living.
• Interdependence - With our futures intertwined, we respect all beings and build authentic relationships to move forward together.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Working under the direction of the Director of Communications, the Lead Writer will manage organizational writing and content development to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with Thousand Currents’ voice and brand. The Lead Writer will create high-impact long-form content, movement storytelling, and thought leadership that amplifies our partners work, advances donor and community engagement, and supports Thousand Currents’ strategic goals. Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams, the Lead Writer translates evidence and movement impact into bold, accessible content aligned with Thousand Currents’ voice and values.

Deadline to Apply: By 5pm ET on Friday, January 9, 2026

Key Details: Compensation, Location, Travel, & Benefits

Position: Full time, Exempt

Team: Philanthropic Partnerships & Influence (PPI)

Location: Remote

Travel: Up to 10%

Position Reports to: Director of Communications

Compensation:$97,000

Benefits:

• 100% of employee and dependent cost for Health, Dental, and Vision for employee + medical travel insurance for employee
• 10 paid annual holidays + open paid time off policy allowing flexible time off
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Up to $1,000 stipend to set up work space, $2,000 per year wellness stipend, $1,500 per year work from home expenses, and up to $2,000 per year for learning and development
• Remote, flexible schedule
• Retirement contribution allowance of 4% of gross salary
• Life Insurance + Long and Short Term disability insurance
• Possibility of sabbatical leave after seven years of employment

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications and Thought Leadership (40%)

• Write high-impact articles, op-eds, speeches, and letters that articulate Thousand Currents’ vision and strategies. Pieces should be bold, inspiring, and grounded in movement realities, positioning Global South movements as indispensable to solving global crises.
• Collaborate with Thousand Currents’ President & CEO and other spokespeople to develop thought leadership pieces that reflect their voice and perspective in ways that resonate with varied audiences.
• Contribute to the editorial calendar in partnership with the Communications Manager.
• Provide crisis communications writing/editing support.

Supporters & Community Communications (30%)

• Work in close cooperation across teams to develop educational materials, stories, and messaging for donor organizing and education, campaigns, website content, donor journeys, and evergreen materials.
• Create, oversee, and update key materials for individual and institutional donor audiences including one-pagers, fact sheets, reports, and brochures.
• Serve as lead writer for major organizational products such as the Annual Report and other organizational priorities.
• Ensure all fundraising and donor communications maintain editorial excellence and align with Thousand Currents’ voice, tone, and values.
• Craft stories that expand audiences’ understanding of the roles, contributions, and solutions of movements, connecting local experiences with global trends, and showcasing solidarity across borders.

Research & Evidence Building (15%)

• Work with program teams and research partners to translate quantitative and qualitative data into compelling narratives. Use evidence to break the “evidence ceiling” around the impact of social movements and demonstrate impact.
• Stay up to date on philanthropic trends, movement ecosystems, and geopolitical developments to inform writing and ensure timely, relevant content.

Team Collaboration & Operational Support (15%)

• Work in close collaboration across the Philanthropic Partnerships and Influence Team (PPI), the Center for Transforming Philanthropy, and the Global Programs Team to strengthen storytelling systems, information flow, and success of organization wide activities and events.
• Participate in organization-wide learning, including staff meetings, retreats and training.
• Manage regular personal administration, including timely submission of receipts, reimbursement requests, scheduling, travel planning, filing HR paperwork etc.
• Provide back-up support for social media and communications operations

Thousand Currents is committed to responding flexibly to changing circumstances and priorities which means that the expectations of every position are dynamic. This description reflects the assignment of essential functions, but does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Role Requirements

We recognize that people gain skills through a variety of experiences. We encourage applications from candidates who meet most of the criteria and are committed to our values.

• 5+ years of professional writing and editing experience, including long-form content (articles, reports, speeches, op-eds, or thought leadership).
• Exceptional writing and editorial judgment, with the ability to maintain a consistent organizational voice across audiences and formats.
• Proven experience translating complex ideas, data, and movement realities into clear, compelling narratives for donors, partners, and public audiences. Experience working in the climate justice sector preferred.
• Experience writing in partnership with senior leaders, adapting to distinct voices while advancing strategic messaging.
• Movement-centered storytelling, with an ability to write across cultures and power dynamics with care, accuracy, and accountability.
• Research fluency, including working with qualitative and quantitative information to ground narratives in evidence.
• Strong project management skills, able to manage multiple deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Alignment with Thousand Currents’ mission and values, including solidarity, humility, experimentation, and interdependence.
• High learning orientation, openness to feedback, and sound judgment in sensitive or high-visibility communications.
• Flexible and proactive. Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with a remote, geographically dispersed team. Ability to travel as needed (both nationally and internationally) and to engage virtually across time zones.
  • Please note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or relocation assistance.

• 100% of employee and dependent cost for Health, Dental, and Vision for employee + medical travel insurance for employee
• 10 paid annual holidays + open paid time off policy allowing flexible time off
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Up to $1,000 stipend to set up work space, $2,000 per year wellness stipend, $1,500 per year work from home expenses, and up to $2,000 per year for learning and development
• Remote, flexible schedule
• Retirement contribution allowance of 4% of gross salary
• Life Insurance + Long and Short Term disability insurance
• Possibility of sabbatical leave after seven years of employment

Fluency in written and spoken English