Development Writer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

THE ORGANIZATION

The Fuller Foundation is an independent Christian philanthropic services organization that provides financial support for Fuller Theological Seminary through annual and endowment fundraising, gift planning, capital campaign management, and funding for restricted purposes. Founded in 1987 and located in Pasadena, CA, the Foundation also offers estate planning, charitable trust administration, donor-advised funds, endowment management, and investment management services for Fuller’s supporters. The Fuller Foundation’s purview further encompasses Fuller’s extensive alumni relations programs, serving Fuller’s more than 40,000 alumni globally.

Fuller Theological Seminary, the organization that The Fuller Foundation serves and supports, has had a global impact and rich history throughout its 75-year history. Today, its focus is to offer God’s hope and healing in the world. One of the largest multidenominational seminaries in the world, Fuller serves nearly 3,000 students and learners from 90 countries and 110 denominations. Two schools (School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy, and the School of Mission & Theology), multiple locations, and many renowned centers and institutions enable Fuller to offer a full range of master’s and doctoral programs in traditional, cohort-based, and virtual settings. Fuller further offers resources and significant formation and equipping opportunities for Christians who are not on a degree-track but are interested in deeper embodiment of their faith. From founder Charles E. Fuller’s original vision until now, Fuller Seminary’s core commitment has remained the same: equipping leaders with minds for scholarship and hearts for the unchanging, saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Development Writer to join our Advancement Team. This role focuses on producing persuasive, mission-driven written content that supports both grant submissions and individual major donor communications. Ideal candidates will combine storytelling expertise with a solid understanding of program budgeting and funding design.

This is a writing and strategy focused position. It does not involve direct fundraising, donor outreach, or prospecting. The Development Writer position involves crafting compelling narratives and written materials to support fundraising and communication efforts for a non-profit organization. The writer will work behind the scenes to help articulate the organization’s impact and future goals through compelling narratives and well-structured funding frameworks.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Narrative Development

• Lead the development of compelling and customized written materials including cases for support, campaign collateral, concept notes, and donor briefings that clearly articulate organizational goals and funding needs for specific fundraising initiatives and workstreams.
• Collaborate with program and finance teams to design fundable initiatives, including budgets, timelines, and outcomes frameworks.

Grant Support Writing

• Craft narrative components for foundation proposals, reports, and renewal applications.
• Work closely with the Director of Grants and Development Operations to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with funder expectations.

Major Donor Communications

• Produce high-impact content that speaks to high-net-worth individuals, including strategic giving proposals and project descriptions tailored to donor interests.
• Develop customized cases for support, concept notes, donor briefings, and campaign materials.

Funding Program Design

• Collaborate with program and finance teams to build fundable initiatives, including the development of basic budgets, timelines, outcomes frameworks, and sustainability narratives.
• Interpret program budgets and financial data to create compelling funding narratives.

Internal Liaison Work:

• Gather relevant programmatic, financial, and impact data from various departments and transform it into coherent donor-ready materials.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency across communications.

Content Development

• Contribute written material for newsletters, campaign updates, and select digital communications in support of development goals.

Constituent Engagement

• Tailor messaging to engage high-net-worth individuals and institutional funders.
• Collaborate with development colleagues to align content with donor interests and engagement strategies.

Internal Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison between Advancement and program, finance, and leadership teams to gather relevant data and insights.
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and strategic alignment across all written materials.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support the seminary’s mission and evolving priorities.
  

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven Writing Ability: 5+ years of experience crafting persuasive fundraising or nonprofit communications. A portfolio of writing samples is required.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to understand complex programs and distill them into clear, concise, and persuasive written materials.
• Budget Fluency: Comfortable working with program budgets and translating financial plans into compelling requests.
• Collaborative Spirit: Experienced in working cross-functionally with internal teams including program staff, leadership, and finance.
• Time Management Mastery: Excellent project management skills, with a track record of meeting deadlines and juggling multiple priorities.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Nonprofit Management, English, or related field preferred. Advanced writing credentials or professional development are a plus.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Familiarity with fundraising CRMs (Salesforce, Ellucian, Raiser’s Edge)
• Experience supporting major campaigns or capital initiatives
• Knowledge of storytelling best practices for fundraising purposes
• Previous experience working in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position may require occasional evening and weekend work to support deadlines. A hybrid work model is available, but attendance at in-person meetings and seminary events is expected as needed.
• Local candidates are preferred; however, a remote option is available for qualified candidates.
  

COMMITMENT TO FOUNDATION’S VALUES

Expectations

• Share a commitment to our mission and purpose.
• Make quality service a top priority.
• Must contribute to an organizational culture based on collaboration, commitment to excellence, and curiosity.
• Be a team-player who also works independently.