Fractional Chief Development & Communications Officer

Aug 9

Anticipated Start Date: 8/24/26

Description

ICA is seeking to engage a strategic, collaborative, and mission-driven Fractional Chief Communications & Development Officer to lead the organization’s fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and storytelling efforts. This senior-level consultant will serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to organizational leadership, helping strengthen fundraising infrastructure, elevate organizational visibility, and expand philanthropic support.

The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of successful experience in nonprofit development, internal and external communications, grant management, donor engagement and cross-functional leadership. This role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution with the ability to guide organizational messaging while building sustainable fundraising systems and partnerships.

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Development

Leadership Lead the development and implementation of strategic fundraising plans aligned with organizational priorities and growth goals
Strengthen and diversify revenue streams including individual giving, institutional philanthropy, sponsorships, campaigns, and partnerships
Support donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement strategies
Partner with executive leadership and board members to strengthen fundraising participation and donor relationships
In partnership with Director of Marketing and Communications, develop donor-facing materials including fundraising campaigns, appeals, sponsorship decks, and impact communications
Monitor fundraising performance metrics and recommend strategic adjustments to improve effectiveness and sustainability

Communications, Marketing & Storytelling

Oversee the day-to-day activities and workflow of a small communications and/or development team, ensuring alignment, accountability, and effective execution of priorities
Provide direction, coaching and mentorship to staff to support professional growth, leadership development and long-term career advancement while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture
Develop and guide communications strategies that strengthen organizational visibility, credibility, and donor engagement
Shape compelling organizational storytelling that communicates mission, impact, and community outcomes
Support development of key messaging frameworks, brand voice, and communications priorities
Oversee content strategy across newsletters, donor communications, website messaging, reports, and social media platforms
Identify opportunities for public relations, media visibility, and thought leadership positioning
Ensure communications efforts effectively support fundraising and relationship-building goals

Grants Strategy & Management

Identify and prioritize grant opportunities aligned with organizational strategy and funding priorities
Oversee and coordinate the work of the organization’s third-party grants management and grant writing firm
Ensure timely submission of grant proposals, reports, and supporting documentation
Responsible for maintaining grants calendars, proposal pipelines, and tracking systems
Review grant narratives and materials for strategic alignment, quality, consistency, and organizational voice
Collaborate with program and finance staff to support accurate reporting, compliance, and impact measurement

Leadership & Organizational

Support Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CEO
Support board engagement in fundraising, donor stewardship and external communications
Prepare development-related presentations, reports and board materials
Participate in events, leadership meetings and planning discussions as appropriate

Requirements

Required Qualifications

10+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and/or communications
Demonstrated success in closing individual gifts, managing donor portfolios, and writing funded grant proposals
Strong strategic thinker who can operate independently with minimal oversight in a resource-constrained environment
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences
Experience with donor management/CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce NPSP, Bloomerang, Little Green Light, or similar)
Comfortable working in a small nonprofit environment, wearing multiple hats and pivoting quickly
Ability to represent the organization confidently across varied audiences including donors at all giving levels, institutional funders, community stakeholders and cross-sectional partners

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in a fractional, consulting, or contract capacity serving multiple nonprofit clients
Experience building development infrastructure from the ground up or significantly expanding fundraising programs
Proficiency with email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact), social media management, and basic website CMS Prior board engagement experience ‍

How to Apply Please email your resume and cover letter (combined into one PDF or Word document) to: icajobs@ica.fund.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$90,000-$114,000

How to Apply for this Job

Please email your resume and cover letter (combined into one PDF or Word document) to: icajobs@ica.fund

About the Organization

ICA Fund accelerates great businesses through mentoring and investments to catalyze value in local markets and create community wealth. We back founders building promising, revenue-generating businesses who are overlooked by mainstream finance, pairing capital with hands-on advising from a network of experienced operators.

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