About Underground Ministries

Underground Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit located in Mount Vernon, Washington. Our mission is to open new relationships of embrace and trust between the incarcerated and the communities to which they return—for our mutual transformation and resurrection.

We live out our mission through three key programs:

• Underground Healing -  Local, credible-messenger-led reentry community where lived experience staff walk alongside people and families releasing from prison, gang violence, addiction, trauma, and isolation.

• One Parish One Prisoner (OPOP) - A two-year relational journey before, during, and after release from prison, pairing faith communities with releasing individuals to build reentry plans and new life together. 

• Movement Building - We live to tell the story of incarceration, reentry, healing, and the power of authentic relationships to resurrect communities.

Learn more about us at undergroundministries.org. 

Role Description

We are seeking a mission-driven Development & Communications Coordinator or Associate to assist our Development & Communications Lead to strengthen donor engagement, fundraising systems, and organizational communications. This on-site role is ideal for someone who can practice multi-tasking and a desire to grow in nonprofit development—whether early in their career and ready to build experience as a Coordinator, or with prior nonprofit experience, prepared to contribute at the Associate level by managing projects, interpreting data, and building strategy. 

Coordinators will be trained on the job in developing the needed skills needed to serve as Associate.

As part of a small, passionate team supporting people returning from incarceration, this role will help sustain and grow our community of supporters, while elevating the stories and voices central to our mission.

Why You’ll Love This Role

This role is ideal for someone who is energized by meaningful, relationship-centered work that blends storytelling, systems-building, and strategy. We seek for development and communications not to be transactional, but rooted in dignity, trust, and transformation. The impact of this work: sustaining programs and staff in welcoming people returning from incarceration, collaborating closely in a diverse team. The hired person will have the opportunity to take ownership of department projects, create and grow skills through training, and help share stories in ways that are ethical, trauma-informed, and centered on lived experience. 

If you’re looking for a role where your work truly matters and where there is room to grow within a mission-aligned organization, this may be the place for you.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Development Support

• Donor Platform Management: Maintain our donor database; enter and track donations; deposit checks; generate monthly reports; ensure data accuracy and system organization; This role will also be responsible for researching and managing migration to a new donor platform if/when deemed necessary. 

• Donor Insights, Reporting & KPIs: Analyze donor activity and campaign performance, producing clear reports on KPIs with  actionable insights for the team (Associate level); or gather and prepare accurate reports for team review (Coordinator level).

• Donor Communications Support: Support or lead the donor communication cycle—including acknowledgments, updates, appeals, and stewardship messaging across email, print, and digital channels.

Communications & Marketing Support

• Campaign Implementation: Partner with the Development & Communications Lead to execute campaigns that integrate with development messaging.

• Email Marketing: Coordinate, build, schedule, and monitor email campaigns in MailChimp.

• Social Media Management: Manage content calendar; draft (or schedule provided) posts; respond to interactions; and report on engagement.

• Performance Tracking: Establish and track KPIs across email, social media, and campaigns; monitor performance against goals; and report on engagement and effectiveness.

• Print & Inventory Coordination: Coordinate print mailing projects—including contact lists, proofing, and vendor relations—and maintain inventory of materials, tools, and product.
  
  

Preferred Skills & Experience

We welcome candidates with a range of experience. Expectations will be tailored to the Coordinator or Associate level, with intentional support for growth.

• Experience Level:

• Coordinator: 1–2 years of relevant experience in nonprofit development, communications, administration, or a related field.

• Associate: 2–4+ years of nonprofit experience in development, communications, or a related role.

• Information & Reporting:

• Coordinator: Ability to accurately gather, organize, and share information.

• Associate: Ability to accurately gather and analyze information, and analyze actionable insights to support strategy and decision-making.

• Project Ownership:

• Coordinator: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, ability to support and coordinate projects.

• Associate: Demonstrated project management experience, ability to lead and finish projects.

• Systems & Tools: Experience with donor management platforms and email marketing tools (MailChimp).

• Communications Skills: Strong writing and communication skills, with experience supporting or managing organizational email and social media communications.

• Technical & Creative Skills: Experience managing social media for an organization or brand; basic design skills (Canva or similar) a plus.

• Work Style: Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple timelines while working both independently and collaboratively within a team.

• Mission Alignment: Alignment with the mission and values of Underground Ministries, including a commitment to centering and honoring the voices of those with lived experience of incarceration.

Compensation

• HOURLY RATE: $26-$34 / hour, depending on experience

• SCHEDULE:

  • M-F 9-5 or similar, regular rhythm in-person at our office in Mount Vernon

  • 30 hours/week, possible increase to 40 hours/week

• SUPERVISED BY: Morgen Phillips, Development and Movement Building Lead

• PTO:

  • 16 annual days of Paid Time Off (both vacation and sick days)

  • 5 days winter holiday break (between December 10 and Jan 5)

  • Paid Federal Holidays, all but two (Veterans Day and Presidents Day)

• SPIRITUAL RETREAT:  Quarterly Spiritual Retreat day, paid work day, to be planned with ED

• HEALTH STIPEND: $500 / month health insurance stipend ($6,000/yr)

• SUPPLIED:

  • Dedicated iPhone for work (or $50 contribution toward own phone/plan if desired)

  • Laptop for use with Underground work only

  • Desk and space in Underground Main Office at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church