Donor Communications Writer

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Planned Giving & Stewardship, the Donor Communications Writer develops impactful messages that highlight the importance of philanthropy and strengthen donor stewardship across the university. This position is responsible for planning, researching, writing, editing, and proofreading editorial content across print, digital, and social media platforms to support fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic communications. Working collaboratively with colleagues across University Relations & Development and campus partners, the writer crafts stories that inspire giving, convey appreciation, and deepen connections with alumni, donors, and friends of the university.

Key Responsibilities

• Donor Engagement & Communications: Research, write, edit, and proofread compelling written materials-including stewardship pieces; scholarship and endowment impact reports; donor briefings and proposals; acknowledgment letters; donor and student stories or testimonials; event materials and scripts; website and newsletter content; and planned giving marketing communications-that express gratitude, demonstrate impact, and inspire continued or future giving.
• Campus, Division, and Donor Collaboration: Cultivate partnerships with colleagues across the division, campus departments, faculty, and donors to proactively identify meaningful stories, testimonials, and engagement opportunities. Coordinate with design, photography, videography, and media relations teams to produce cohesive, high-quality communications that align with university messaging and brand standards.
• Digital & Social Media Support: Collaborate with the division colleagues to develop and share content across digital and social media platforms that amplifies stewardship and planned giving messages. Monitor engagement metrics and recommend strategies to strengthen donor connections and increase visibility across channels.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Expert writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated ability to tailor content for print, web, email, and social media platforms while maintaining tone, voice, and message consistency. Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively with faculty, donors, university leaders, designers, and other communication professionals to develop cohesive materials. Broad knowledge of communication, marketing, and storytelling principles, with an interest in developing strategies that strengthen donor engagement and highlight the impact of philanthropy. Excellent organizational and project management skills to coordinate multiple priorities and deliver high-quality materials under tight deadlines.

Familiarity with marketing and content strategy techniques, including the use of digital analytics and audience insights to guide creative approaches and measure engagement.

Understanding of university or nonprofit communication objectives, with the ability to translate strategic goals into effective donor and stewardship messaging. Strong consultative and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to build productive relationships and represent the division professionally. Ability to handle confidential donor and university information with discretion, ensuring accuracy and professionalism in all written communications.

Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student, and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of related professional or technical experience required.
• Five years of professional writing and editing experience preferred.

Physical Summary

Light work - Job involves some lifting of medium weight objects (10-20 pounds) and/or 10% - 20% of the job involves standing or walking.

Department

Planned Giving & Stewardship

Classification

Marketing Communications Professional II

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $5,178 (Step #1) - $5,948 (Step #8) per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.

CSU Classification Salary Range: The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $5,178(Step #1) - $7,543(Step 20) per month.

1.0 time-base, 40 hours per week.

Duration of Appointment

This is a temporary position for one year with no permanent status granted. Temporary assignments may expire prior to the ending date.

Benefits

Excellent benefits through CalPERS (health, vision, dental), tuition fee waiver, generous vacation and sick leave, and 14 paid holidays each year.

Application Procedures

Click Apply Now to complete the CSULB Online Employment Application.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY

It is important that all sections of the on-line application are filled out completely and accurately. Please include all relevant education and experience. Your application will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Additional Information

Testing

As part of the candidate assessment, a writing test will be administered to evaluate writing quality, clarity, and alignment with CSULB's messaging and stewardship voice.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSULB will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Due to the nature of this position, current CSULB employees are subject to a criminal record check unless they have successfully completed a criminal background check through CSULB within the past 12 months.

CSULB is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).

California State University Long Beach expects respectful, professional behavior from its employees in all situations. Acts of harassment or abusive conduct are prohibited. Demonstrated appropriate professional behavior, treating others with civility and respect, and refusing to tolerate abusive conduct is expected of all employees.

Equal Employment Statement

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, CSULB provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status. CSULB complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Accommodations

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact StaffHR-Accommodations@csulb.edu .

Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Long Beach, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California.

As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Advertised: Dec 09 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Jan 08 2026 Pacific Standard Time

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• Cal State University (CSU) Long Beach

• 562.985.4111

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