Job Description:

Position Title: Development Communications Coordinator

Position Type: Full-Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Department: Development

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

Position Summary:

The Development Communications Coordinator plays a critical role in advancing the museum’s fundraising and stewardship efforts by developing compelling donor communications, impact reports, proposal materials, and more. This position collaborates closely with the development, marketing, and curatorial teams to craft strategic messaging that inspires donor engagement and demonstrates the museum’s impact.

Principal Responsibilities:

Donor Stewardship & Impact Reporting

• Lead the development of high-quality impact reports that illustrate the museum’s return on investment for donors and funding partners.
• Gather stories, data, and visuals to create compelling stewardship materials showcasing how philanthropic support enhances exhibitions, programs, and museum initiatives.
• Develop annual donor reports, endowment reports, and custom stewardship pieces tailored to major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.

Proposal & Case Development

• Assist development officers in crafting grant proposals, corporate sponsorship materials, and major gift solicitations, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with museum priorities.
• Develop and maintain a library of proposal templates, impact statements, and talking points to streamline fundraising efforts.
• Work closely with program and curatorial staff to translate museum initiatives into compelling fundraising narratives.

General Development Communications

• Collaborate with the development team to create donor newsletters, acknowledgment letters, and campaign messaging that reinforce philanthropic engagement.
• Support the execution of fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, digital appeals, and case statements.
• Maintain consistent messaging and branding across all development communications, ensuring alignment with the museum’s voice and mission.

Research & Best Practices

• Stay informed on philanthropic communication trends and best practices in donor stewardship.
• Identify innovative ways to demonstrate donor impact through storytelling, data visualization, and multimedia.
• Benchmark development communications strategies against peer institutions to enhance effectiveness.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in development communications, donor stewardship, or nonprofit fundraising.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex information into compelling narratives.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with design tools (Canva, Adobe Suite) and donor databases (Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar) a plus.
• A passion for the arts, culture, and the mission of museums.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: This position requires prolonged periods of working at desk and working on a computer, good eye-hand coordination, verbal and written communication, walking, standing, and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 20 lbs. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.
• Work Environment: Work will primarily be performed in an office setting and in Museum spaces. The noise level is generally low to moderate.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.