Development Writer

About the Obama Foundation

At the Obama Foundation, we are guided by a core belief: that ordinary people working together can change history. Our mission is to inspire those people to take action, empower them to change their world for the better, and connect them so they can achieve more together than they can alone.

We were founded by community organizers, so when we seek change, we do it by bringing people together. 

That approach begins at home, on the South Side of Chicago, where we are building the Obama Presidential Center. The Center represents a historic opportunity for Chicago: a chance to build a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation’s first African American President and First Lady, steps away from where he began his career, where she was raised, and where—together—they made their home. 

But that approach extends to all our work, whether it’s holding leadership training sessions in communities throughout the U.S., bringing local leaders together in countries around the world, working to support the global education of girls, or ensuring young men of color have pathways to opportunity.

As President Obama has said, “we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together.” So join us. 

For more information, please visit www.obama.org.

Location 

Chicago, IL

Purpose of the Role

The Development Writer will provide essential support in the creation of the Foundation’s major donor communications and stewardship materials. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations and Events, you will work closely with the Donor Relations Senior Associate and Donor Relations Analyst, as well as frontline fundraisers and individuals across the Foundation, to develop fresh, persuasive, and compelling donor collateral that communicates President Obama’s vision to broad donor audiences. You will serve as lead content developer on Foundation pitch materials and major donor proposals and reports, and be a critical thought partner on new and innovative stewardship tools.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Pitch Materials: Draft all content for Foundation pitch materials, including a revision of our standard pitch and pitch revisions as needed to meet the needs of the frontline team. Coordinate with Donor Relations Senior Associate as well as Creative and Communications team to ensure materials are up to date and on brand.
• Proposals and Reports: Draft all content for Foundation proposals and reports. This includes a revision of the standard proposal and report templates and updates based on the needs of the frontline team. 
• Frontline Development Communications: Create frontline development communication tools, including talking points, discussion guides, and principal remarks for donor events, quarterly newsletters, and monthly emails. Act as a thought partner with the Donor Relations team to offer fresh and creative ideas for future communications pieces. 
• Storytelling Tools: Support the Donor Relations team in the development of new donor storytelling tools, like videos and formal printed collateral. 

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Development communications materials (e.g. pitch materials, reports, proposals, discussion guides, talking points); 
• Development of Stewardship touchpoints (e.g. update emails, newsletters, acknowledgments, etc);
• Custom development tools (e.g. overview videos, printed collateral, etc). 

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional attention to detail, proofreading experience a plus; 
• Experience writing for a donor audience, experience writing for fundraising campaigns a plus 
• Experience supporting external stakeholders 

In the interest of employee health and safety during the pendency of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Obama Foundation is requiring that all prospective employees present proof that they are fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, or seek a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons, prior to their first day of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at careers@obama.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.