Development & Communications Associate

~ The Cornucopia Institute is engaged in educational activities supporting the ecological principles and economic wisdom underlying sustainable and organic agriculture. ~

Through research and investigations on agricultural and food issues, The Cornucopia Institute provides needed information to family farmers, consumers, stakeholders involved in the good food movement, and the media.

Position Overview

The Cornucopia Institute is seeking a Development and Communications Associate to support our organizational fundraising and communications efforts.This new staff member will join our Development and Communications Team, handling many important details and receiving an opportunity to learn and develop within an organization that is growing and evolving. Cornucopia intends to invest in the professional development of this position so that this individual can grow and develop as the organization grows, gaining increasing levels of responsibility and opportunity over time.

A heartfelt passion for protecting the environment, the good food movement, human health, humane livestock husbandry, and social/economic justice for family farmers is essential. 

The Cornucopia Institute has become one of the most preeminent and effective public interest groups focusing on regulatory and market-based implications of agroecology in the United States. The organization acts as an organic industry watchdog protecting organics and alternative marketing mechanisms allowing farmers and consumers to connect. We seek to defend the integrity of the organic food label from governmental regulatory indifference as well as from agribusinesses profiteering from unethical and questionable food production and agricultural practices. Our staff are committed to ensuring that organic and local food remain true to the human and environmental health promises that they were founded on.

Job summary: 

The Development and Communications Associate will split time between fundraising efforts and communications. If you love writing, are skilled at keeping track of important details, and want to be challenged by working on the front-lines of farm justice issues and organic integrity while making a significant impact, then this is the position for you.

Worksite:

The Cornucopia Institute is formally based in Cornucopia, Wisconsin but is "virtually officed," and thus has no central location. Staff members telecommute from home offices around the country. Because of this, applicants must be highly motivated and able to work independently. We have a dozen staff members and additional support from a number of part-time employees and dedicated contractors. 

Responsibilities

Fundraising Support:

• Provide support for fundraising efforts, donor communications, and special events related to the organization’s fundraising plan.
• Ensure that systems, including acknowledgement of gifts, donor data tracking, grant reporting, and all record keeping, are maintained in an accurate and timely manner.
• Conduct research and special projects that contribute to the growth and improvement of the organization’s development efforts.
• Thank donors via email, handwritten cards, and phone calls.

Communications Support:

• Provide support for internal and external communications relating to the organization’s communications plan, website, social media, marketing materials, and other communications/fundraising tools.
• Provide support for the quarterly newsletter and regular communications with the news media, ensuring that content is collected, reviewed, edited, and distributed.

General Operations:

• Participate in staff meetings and otherwise contribute to strengthening the deep roots within our community, both internally and externally.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess the following qualifications and skills:

• Commitment to the mission of The Cornucopia Institute
• Understanding of (and preferably previous involvement with) organic food and farming issues
• Self-starter and ability to work independently
• Talent for creating and managing systems
• An eye for creating efficiencies and keeping track of details
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to juggle multiple projects in an exciting and fast-paced environment
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, members, and the general public
• Superior work ethic and careful attention to detail
• Highest degree of personal and professional ethics
• Competency with the Microsoft Office suite
• Proficiency with social media and Internet research
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in humanities or scientific field and/or a directly applicable professional resume

Compensation: This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Salary offer will be commensurate with experience.

To Apply

• For full consideration, applications should be submitted on or before June 17, though position will remain open until filled. 
• You will be asked to provide a cover letter and resume with three professional references.
• This advertisement will remain posted on our website until the position is filled.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

The Cornucopia Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We especially encourage people from underrepresented communities to apply.