Job Listing: Grants and External Communications Officer (Library of Virginia Foundation)
Position Title: Grants and External Communications Officer
Report to: Senior Director of Campaigns and Development Operations
Status: Exempt
Organization Overview
The Library of Virginia is the Commonwealth’s official state library and archives, stewarding more than 400 years of Virginia’s history through an unparalleled collection of books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, government records, and digital resources that support research, education, genealogy, public policy, and civic engagement for individuals and communities across the state. Founded in 1984, The Library of Virginia Foundation is the nonprofit partner that advances this mission by securing private philanthropic support for programs, preservation, access, and long-term sustainability. Foundation staff work closely with Library leadership, donors, and volunteers to ensure that Virginia’s history and the stories of its people are preserved, accessible, and meaningful for current and future generations.
Position Summary
The Library of Virginia Foundation seeks a highly organized and detail-oriented Grants and External Communications Officer to support the Foundation’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Campaigns and Development Operations, this position plays a central role in grant writing and coordination, donor communications, and external messaging that advances philanthropic support for the Library of Virginia.
The Officer will be responsible for managing grant submissions and reporting, developing and executing donor communications across multiple platforms, and ensuring consistent, compelling messaging aligned with the Foundation’s fundraising priorities. This role requires strong writing skills, excellent project management, and the ability to collaborate effectively across development, communications, and leadership functions.
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Grant Writing and Coordination
- Coordinate the full lifecycle of foundation and corporate grants, including prospect identification, proposal development, submission, tracking, and reporting.
- Draft and edit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and required reports in collaboration with the Senior Director, Executive Director, and Library of Virginia staff.
- Maintain grant calendars, deadlines, and documentation to ensure timely and compliant submissions.
- Gather and coordinate supporting materials from Library and Foundation staff as needed.
Donor and External Communications
- Draft and coordinate donor-facing communications, including direct mail appeals, email communications, acknowledgments, and stewardship materials.
- Support the development and execution of annual and campaign-related donor communications.
- Manage and update fundraising-related content for the Foundation’s website.
- In collaboration with the Library’s Marketing and Communications division, draft and schedule content for social media platforms in coordination with Foundation priorities and campaigns.
- Ensure consistency of tone, messaging, and branding across all external communications.
Development Support and Coordination
- Support fundraising initiatives by providing written materials, donor updates, and communications support for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
- Assist with campaign and fundraising communications tied to major gifts, grants, and special initiatives.
- Coordinate with the Development and Events Coordinator as needed to align messaging with events and donor engagement activities.
Systems, Tracking, and Administration
- Maintain accurate records related to grants and communications activities within the donor database and shared tracking systems.
- Support reporting and analysis related to grant outcomes and donor communications performance.
- Assist with preparing materials for leadership, board members, and volunteer committees as requested.
Other Responsibilities
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Campaigns and Development Operations in support of the Foundation’s mission and fundraising goals.
Job Specifications
- Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with demonstrated experience in grant writing and donor communications.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with strong attention to detail.
- Experience coordinating communications across multiple channels, including direct mail, email, websites, and social media.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs and familiarity with donor databases and content management systems.
- Experience with website platforms and CMS
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style.
- Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced development environment.
Experience and Education:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required, preferably from the field of nonprofit management or related fields such as communications, public relations, or creative writing. Other qualifications include: a minimum of two years successful experience in fundraising and/or communications.
The salary range for this position is $50,000 to $55,000 annually. The Library of Virginia Foundation offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive package of benefits including a 401k retirement match, 75% employer covered individual and family health coverage, life insurance, and paid personal time off.
To apply: please send cover letter and resume to elaine.mcfadden@lva.virginia.gov. No phone calls please. Priority will be given to applications received by February 27, 2026.