Development & Community Engagement Coordinator

Get Involved
Written By Project Lemonade

What inspires you? At Project Lemonade we’re inspired to help all youth in our community thrive. We specifically focus our efforts on supporting youth impacted by childhood trauma and foster care. We’re looking for a Development & Community Engagement Coordinator who is passionate about our mission and ready to inspire others to make a difference. 

About Project Lemonade

Project Lemonade is a local Portland-based nonprofit with a mission to inspire self-esteem to help Oregon youth in foster care thrive. Our 5 core programs provide resources, opportunities, and connections in a positive and welcoming environment for young people ages 5-24.

Since 2012, Project Lemonade has served 25,000 youth from 32 counties in Oregon and SW Washington. We’ve invested $6 million in the foster care community.

Core Values

Project Lemonade’s core values guide work. We look for people who embody these values:

  • We put the youth we serve at the center of all we do. 

  • We build on strengths and encourage innovation.

  • We are consistent and reliable.

  • We are positive and compassionate. 

  • We advance equitable and inclusive practices. 

Position Overview

The Development & Community Engagement Coordinator ensures high-quality, people-centered and equity-focused support for the organization’s fundraising, volunteer management, data entry and communications needs. This person in this role will serve as the first point of contact for many supporters at Project Lemonade. They will also create compelling story-based content to inspire our community. Joining a team of 7, the Development & Community Engagement Coordinator will play a key role at Project Lemonade and increase support for the youth in our community.   

Title:  Development & Community Engagement Coordinator
Classification: 40 hours per week. Full-time, Non-exempt. 
Location: Project Lemonade Headquarters, 1008 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR 97232. May work remotely on Mondays.
Compensation: $26/hour, annualizes to $54,080/year. Additional benefits are detailed below. 
Reports To: Development Director, Allison Specter

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Volunteer Management (40% of time)

    • Coordinate and lead individual and group volunteers in tasks supporting the Project Lemonade Store, such as inventory processing or shopper support. Provide onsite orientation and training on tasks and roles.

    • Develop and manage ongoing relationships with key volunteers.

    • Manage donation drives and create materials needed. 

    • Oversee Civic Champs volunteer database. 

    • Support with coverage in the Project Lemonade Store. 

  • Fundraising, Donor Data Entry and Gift Acknowledgement (25% of time)

    • Accurate donor data entry and run monthly reports in Little Green Light Database.

    • Process donation acknowledgment e-mails and thank you letters. 

    • Manage small grant applications (6-10 per year).

    • Support with 3 fundraising campaigns. 

  • Communications (25% of time)

    • Manage 3 social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram) and create inspiring weekly social media posts that focus on story-telling and human-centered content. 

    • Write and create a monthly supporter e-newsletter using Mailchimp. 

    • Manage website updates and monthly blog posts in Squarespace.

    • Attend events and manage tabling to promote Project Lemonade.

    • Engage in story-telling and photo practices that maintain confidentiality for our youth.

  • DEI, Continued Learning and Admin (10% of time)

    • Manage DEI goals and initiatives related to volunteers. 

    • Share resources and engage our community in advocacy through social media. 

Qualifications 

We will hire the person with the best combination of the following skills and experience. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet all qualifications. Candidates with lived experience and from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

  • 2-3 years experience in community engagement, fundraising, volunteer management role, or equivalent experience. 

  • Passionate about our mission, and an ability to inspire others to get involved.

  • Exceptional relationship management skills: 

    • Demonstrates a commitment to creating positive and welcoming environments. 

    • Brings experience in developing and growing relationships. 

  • Experience and interest in:

    • Social media and e-mail marketing. 

    • Creating digital design pieces using tools like Canva.  

    • Working in data management and Excel. 

  • Shows attention to detail in managing data, writing content and engaging with supporters. 

  • Flexible and adaptable.

  • Knowledgeable about trauma-informed approaches and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, access and belonging.

  • Preferred but not required:

  • Lived experience, or experience working in a youth-serving organization. 

  • Knowledge of the child welfare system. 

  • A bachelor’s degree.

Workspace Accessibility

  • Project Lemonade operates on the second floor of the Lloyd Center Mall with ADA-compliant access. 

  • Noise level in the workspace fluctuates with shopping and direct service delivery.

  • Require working at a computer for longer periods of time. 

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: $26/hour. Annualizes to $54,080 per year. 

Benefits:

  • Generous paid time off includes 25 days of PTO and 12 paid holiday days per year.  

  • QSEHRA Healthcare Reimbursement: $500/month available to cover qualified premiums and expenses for eligible individual, domestic partner and dependents 

  • $1,000 professional development budget per year. 

  • Position covered under Paid Leave Oregon & Project Lemonade for 100% coverage of up to 12-weeks in case of a personal or family medical need. 

  • Ability to work 1 day per week (Mondays) remotely. 

Hours & Schedule: 

  • 40 hours per week. Generally M-F 9:30a-5:30p, with flexibility.

  • The position requires 3-4 hours of weekend time per month, and occasional evening commitments. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: We are dedicated to fostering a community that is equitable and inclusive. We expect staff to help us move our equity work forward and to support our commitment to equity. We provide staff training and ongoing learning opportunities. 

How to Apply

Please apply via email at careers@projectlemonadepdx.org with the subject line “Development and Community Engagement Coordinator Position” and include:

  1. Resume

  2. 1-page Cover letter indicating your interest in this position, an overview of your experiences and your connection to our mission.

Or submit your materials via Macslist. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will be accepted until Wednesday, November 13th at 5p. We will contact you for a phone interview if your application materials meet the qualifications.

Due to our work with youth, offer will be contingent on reference and background checks.

Questions? Contact careers@projectlemonadepdx.org. 

Project Lemonade is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Project Lemonade