Job Position

The Office of Development is seeking a Senior Writer, Philanthropic Narratives, who can balance creativity with analytical thinking to advance our messaging strategy—ensuring our stories clearly communicate organizational priorities and celebrate the impact of philanthropic support.

Reporting to the Manager of Donor Relations, the Senior Writer serves as a strategic storytelling partner, shaping and elevating the organization’s most critical philanthropic narratives. This role leads the development of comprehensive campaign cases for support, compelling major and principal gift proposals, donor monographs, and impactful long-form stewardship communications—ensuring every piece clearly articulates vision, urgency, and measurable impact.

As a trusted writer and advisor to senior leadership and campaign stakeholders, this position leads narrative development from concept through final delivery—ensuring clarity, credibility, alignment, and inspiration across high-stakes donor materials.

• Leads the development of enterprise-level philanthropic narratives that articulate urgency, impact, and vision. Serve as a trusted writing partner to senior leadership, campaign volunteers, and other key stakeholders.
• Create and steward strong thematic frameworks across campaigns, proposals, and stewardship publications. Support both campaign-driven and stewardship-focused storytelling across the donor lifecycle.
• Translate complex organizational priorities, program strategies, and financial needs into clear, persuasive donor-facing narratives. Apply editorial judgment to synthesize inputs into disciplined, donor-centric storytelling, maintaining consistency of voice, tone, and narrative direction across high-visibility materials.
• Write and manage the development of major gift proposals, campaign monographs, and long-form philanthropic communications. Guide materials through multiple review cycles, managing feedback and revisions. Conduct interviews with executives, subject-matter experts, and cross-functional partners to capture institutional perspective and nuance.
• Collaborate closely with partners across the National Office, including but not limited to development, finance, program, and marketing, to align narratives with fundraising strategy, brand standards, and audience expectations.
• Ensure all materials align with organizational brand standards and fundraising best practices. Adapt narratives as priorities evolve while preserving coherence, focus, and editorial excellence.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of: High to expert level writing and editing skills, high level of competency in branding and messaging; ability to tailor messaging to different audiences; strong attention to detail; non-profit fundraising principles and practices; major donor development strategies; project management methodology; excellent understanding of donor relations and stewardship best practices.
• Skill in: Communicating effectively, both written and verbal; building and maintaining strong relationships with donors, colleagues, and external partners; managing projects, including needs assessment, planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation; page layout and construction tools for print and digital publications; working effectively with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement projects; writing and editing copy for various channels. Team management and mentoring skills a plus.
• Ability to: Manage and prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work effectively within a team environment with a sense of urgency; ensure visuals are accurate, consistent, and adhere to brand guidelines; meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously; juggle different tasks and priorities effectively; take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision; stay updated on new design trends, software advancements and champion innovations in philanthropic engagement; adjust to changing demands and project requirements; provide excellent service to internal and external clients; mentor other creative specialists within the team and build good working relationships with peers and managers within the Office of Development as well as the wider Scouting America organization; communicate clearly and succinctly in order to maximize production time.

Bachelor’s Degree in English, journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• 7+ years of professional writing experience, with a strong portfolio of long-form, audience-specific, donor-facing, and/or executive-level content; experience in philanthropy, non-profit fundraising, higher education, healthcare, and/or other mission-driven organizations.
• Must pass a criminal history background check.

Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above-specified education and experience requirements.

Experience serving as an in-house writer within a nonprofit, foundation, or other mission-driven organization, with direct exposure to fundraising or development operations.

Scouting America is an equal-opportunity employer. Benefits include major medical, prescription coverage, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability, accidental death, and a Match Savings plan. We also offer a generous PTO policy and Scouting America holiday observances.

Since 1910, Scouting America has encouraged personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them with determination. Scouting America promotes a culture where youth, volunteers, and employees feel a sense of belonging-where every person feels respected and valued. We welcome families of all backgrounds to help prepare young people to serve as successful members and leaders of our nation’s diverse communities. Join us and help us mold the future leaders of America!