ALIGHT, Inc.
Our History
The Encouraging Word started in 2004 to reach people who might not walk through the doors of First Baptist. We share Sunday’s messages of salvation and encourage viewers to get involved in a local church.
Under Dr. Mike Harder’s leadership, ALIGHT builds on this legacy by sharing God’s truth with a searching world. We exist to illuminate Jesus Christ as the Answer.
Our Mission
People all over the world are looking for a place to belong, for answers, and for hope. Many struggle with loneliness and despair, which can lead them down tough paths.
ALIGHT is here to provide answers by pointing people to the Only One who can change their lives – Jesus Christ. We aim to encourage, challenge, refresh, and disciple believers on their Christian journey. Our mission is to “Share God’s truth with a searching world.”
Position Summary
The Donor Communications Manager is all about the donor experience, from the first touch to building long-term relationships. You’ll be the voice of ALIGHT through discovery, onboarding, retention, engagement, thanking, and growing donor relationships. This role focuses on communications and stewardship, not major-gift cultivation. You’ll create and maintain ALIGHT’s donor communications strategy, including appeals, newsletters, devotional pieces, welcome series, thank-you notes, impact reports, and campaign creative to turn one-time givers into committed monthly partners and keep existing donors engaged.
Scope note: This role focuses on donor communications, not cultivation. Face-to-face relationship building, donor visits, major-donor events, and direct major-gift asks are handled by the Executive Director and the President. You’ll support that work with materials but won’t be responsible for closing major gifts.
Key Responsibilities
Communications and Stewardship Content
- Write and produce the Monthly Ministry Update email, donor appeals (story-first, single clear call to action), and thank-you communications specific to each gift.
- Develop content for the quarterly print devotional with segment-appropriate cover letters and the annual Year-in-Review / Impact Report.
- Draft warm, pastoral prayer-follow-up communications for prayer-request submitters.
- Coordinate with the print house for monthly appeals, quarterly print devotional design, and manage mailing lists.
- Manage in-house paper stock and ordering for print projects.
- Be the point person for 24-hour prayer line coordination.
Donor Lifecycle and Brand Voice
- Build and maintain the messaging pathway for the new-donor welcome email series, welcome packet, upgrade and step-up appeals, and anniversary and lapsed-donor templates.
- Guard ALIGHT’s donor-facing voice: warm and devotional for print, modern and confident for digital; copy that sounds like Pastor Mike on a slow day, never hard-sell.
Channels, Calendar, and Measurement
- Plan and manage the donor communications calendar across email, print, and social media; schedule each piece and keep sends on track. Build, test, and send donor emails in the email service provider (ESP), and maintain reusable, brand-consistent email templates.
- Work with the Creative Production Director to produce donor-facing video, graphics, and print materials. You’ll own the message, while the Creative Production Director handles production. Keep the website giving-page text accurate and current.
- Track open, click, conversion, and retention metrics; lead post-campaign reviews and report results to the Executive Director.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree: in communications, marketing, journalism, or nonprofit management, or equivalent experience.
- Experience: Two or more years in nonprofit communications, fundraising communications, or marketing.
- Writing skills: Excellent donor-facing writing and editing; experience running email campaigns in an ESP. Familiarity with a donor CRM is strongly preferred.
- Project management: Strong ability to own a content calendar and meet deadlines.
- Faith: A personal Christian faith and genuine alignment with ALIGHT’s mission and statement of faith.
- Preferred: Faith-based or ministry fundraising experience; familiarity with donor segmentation; ability to write in another leader’s voice while preserving theological integrity.
Compensation and Benefits
- Salary: $50,000 to $62,000 annually, based on experience.
- Benefits: Health, dental, life, and long-term disability benefits.
- Time off: Paid time off and holidays per ALIGHT’s employee policy.
- Retirement: 403(b) retirement plan.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This is an on-site role at ALIGHT’s Spartanburg, SC offices, with regular hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Occasionally, remote work may be allowed for focused writing or production days.
Light, occasional travel may be needed for donor events, ministry retreats, or production days. The role involves typical office work, including sitting for extended periods, using a computer and screen, communicating in writing and verbally, and occasionally lifting mailing or event materials (up to 25 pounds). We’ll make reasonable accommodations as required by law.
Background Check and References
Any job offer depends on a satisfactory background check and reference verification. This role involves access to donor information, financial records, and ministry communications, and ALIGHT expects exemplary stewardship of that trust.
Equal Opportunity and Faith-Based Hiring
ALIGHT is a religious nonprofit and exercises its rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws, to hire employees who affirm and live in alignment with its statement of faith and ministry mission.
Within that framework, ALIGHT is an equal opportunity employer and doesn’t discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. ALIGHT’s statement of faith is available upon request and will be provided to candidates moving forward in the interview process.
How to Apply
To apply, send a resume, a brief cover letter, and two or three writing samples (like donor letters, newsletters, or appeals) to Executive Director Kyle Shuler at kshuler@alightdaily.org. We’ll review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Target start is Q4 2026. Be ready to affirm ALIGHT’s statement of faith.