Development and Communications Director

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Wellness resources
• Paid sick, vacation, and holiday time off
• Health and dental insurance for employees
• RTD Eco Pass
• Optional benefits at the employee’s expense include: employee vision insurance; health, dental, and vision coverage of family members; retirement savings program

• Location:
  
  Denver, CO
• Reports to:
  
  Executive Director
• Work Schedule:
  
  Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week
• Compensation: $65k-85k annual salary, depending upon experience
• Status:
  Full-time
• Work Model:
  Hybrid

About Groundwork Denver:
Groundwork Denver (GWD) is a 501(c)3 non-profit community-based organization that partners with communities to improve the physical environment and promote health, equity, and resilience. We work where environmental and social challenges intersect; ensuring that all people, regardless of zip code, have access to clean air, healthy food, green spaces, and sustainable housing. With a current annual budget of approximately $2 million, GWD is entering an exciting new chapter: strengthening and diversifying its fundraising portfolio beyond government grants to include a growing base of individual, corporate, and community-based support.

Development and Communications Director (DCD) will lead GWD’s efforts to expand and sustain a diverse funding base while amplifying the organization’s public presence. This role is ideal for a strategic, creative development professional eager to help build a more sophisticated, sustainable, and community-centered fundraising program.

Partner with the Executive Director and Board External Affairs Committee to develop and implement an integrated Development and Communications strategy. Establish annual and long-term goals to ensure diversified revenue growth, prioritizing growth in GWD’s annual individual, corporate, and community-based giving programs. Serve as a strategic partner aligning fundraising, communications, and program narratives around GWD’s mission, centering environmental justice, community health, and workforce development priorities.

Lead strategies for individual and corporate giving, including annual appeals, monthly donor programs, and sponsor ships. Design and implement donor cultivation and stewardship plans, centering equity and authentic relationship-building. Coordinate with Groundwork Denver staff, volunteers, and the Board of Directors to successfully oversee at least two major fundraising events per year, along with overseeing quarterly giving campaigns. Manage Groundwork Denver’s donor database (CRM), ensuring accurate and timely gift entry, acknowledgment, and reporting.

Partner with the Finance Director on fundraising projections, grant budgets, and financial reporting. Connect volunteers (corporate and community) with program leads for engagements that are integrating volunteer support. Represent GWD externally at events and community forums to build visibility and partnerships. Assist in the management of consultants and staff supporting events and donor communications.

In partnership with the Executive Director, centering GWD’s Environmental Justice focus, develop and execute a communications strategy that grows local awareness of Groundwork Denver’s mission, while leveraging Groundwork USA’s national messaging and assets. Oversee storytelling, social media, email campaigns, and digital engagement to deepen community and donor connections. Produce key marketing materials, including newsletters, annual reports, event collateral, etc., that highlight GWD’s impact and leadership.

Ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all channels, centering Environmental Justice. Collaborate with Program Teams, Leaders, and Directors to amplify success stories and connect impact to fundraising goals.

In partnership with the Executive Director, the DCD will define and meet clear success measures in their first 12–18 months, including:

• Fundraising & Revenue Growth
  • Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement a comprehensive annual…