Development and Communications Manager

About SHF: Founded in 1969, Settlement Housing Fund is a nonprofit affordable housing organization. We own and operate 3,147 affordable apartments across New York City and are currently creating and preserving an additional 3,031 apartments. We provide social services through on site support to ensure housing stability for tenants who have transitioned from shelters into permanent housing at our buildings and those of other owners. We serve as an HDFC nominee to provide private developers with access to City financing to expand the supply of affordable housing. We are a leader in tenant selection and affirmative fair housing, leasing hundreds of units annually for other affordable housing owners.

 

JOB SUMMARY: The Development & Communications Manager is a key member of Settlement Housing Fund’s (SHF) Development & Communications team, responsible for driving the day to day execution of fundraising and communications initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Development & Communications, this role leads grant writing, donor communications, and digital engagement efforts. The ideal candidate is a strong writer, strategic executor, and relationship builder who thrives in a collaborative environment and is excited to help grow and diversify SHF’s fundraising portfolio. This role plays a critical part in expanding institutional funding, strengthening donor stewardship, and elevating SHF’s visibility—translating impact into compelling narratives that inspire investment and deepen community engagement.

 

Job Duties include but are not limited to:

 

Grant Writing and Institutional Fundraising:

• Lead the development and submission of grant proposals and reports for foundation, corporate, and government funders. 


• Manage and maintain a comprehensive grants calendar, ensuring all deadlines and reporting requirements are met. 


• Conduct ongoing prospect research to identify new funding opportunities and re engage lapsed funders. 


• Collaborate with program and leadership staff to gather data, impact stories, and outcomes to inform proposals. 


• Draft compelling narratives and supporting materials aligned with funder priorities. 


• Track grant outcomes and maintain accurate records of submissions and funder communications. 

 

Donor Engagement and Stewardship:

• Support the cultivation and stewardship of individual, corporate, and institutional donors. 

• Draft donor communications including acknowledgements, impact updates, appeals, and stewardship materials. 

• Support with the development and execution of donor engagement strategies to deepen relationships and increase giving. 

• Conduct donor and prospect research to support pipeline development and major gift strategy. 

• Prepare briefing materials and follow up communications for leadership and Board engagement with donors. 

• Help coordinate donor events, site visits, and engagement opportunities in partnership with the Director of Development and Communications and the Senior Advisor. 

 

Communications and Content Strategy:

• Execute and manage a story  and mission driven communications plan, developed by the Director of Development and Communications, to elevate SHF’s visibility and impact. 

• Create and manage content across platforms, including: social media (e.g. Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube), email newsletters and campaigns, and website updates. 

• Produce high quality written and visual content—including program stories, blog posts, testimonials, and campaign materials—while helping maintain and implement branding standards, templates, and consistent visual identity across all materials. 

• Track and analyze digital engagement metrics, using insights to refine strategies and grow audience reach. 

• Ensure all communications align with SHF’s brand voice and strategic priorities. 

 

Database and Operations Management:

• Maintain accurate and up to date records in the donor database, including donor interactions, pledges, gifts, acknowledgements, and engagement history. 

• Generate reports on fundraising performance, donor trends, and campaign outcomes. 

• Support data integrity, list segmentation, and donor tracking for targeted outreach efforts. 

 

Event and Campaign Support:

• Provide strategic and logistical support for SHF events, including the annual gala, in partnership with the Senior Advisor. 

• Assist in producing event related communications, sponsorship materials, and donor outreach. 

• Support collateral development for events, including presentations, signage, and digital promotions. 

• Coordinate logistics and execution for annual appeals and other fundraising campaigns. 

• Support development of campaign materials, timelines, and performance tracking. 

• Perform other duties as reasonably requested.