Communications Associate

Blandin Foundation—Minnesota’s largest rural-focused private foundation—seeks a Communications Associate to craft clear, compelling messages that advance rural opportunity. You will join our Rural Advocacy team to tell the stories of our grantmaking, community-building, and advocacy work and provide communications expertise to administrative partners such as HR, Finance, Facilities, and IT. 

Compensation & Benefits 

• Salary: $67,500 – $70,000 annually 

• Benefits: 403(b) retirement plan · medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance · generous paid time off (vacation, sick, holidays, bereavement, etc.) 

Position Summary

As a member of the Foundation’s Rural Advocacy team, the Communications Associate will develop content that amplifies the foundation’s mission and work across multiple media platforms.  Working with staff and external partners, this position uses creative storytelling and a strong brand voice to develop and share engaging content tailored to local, statewide and national audiences. The role also serves as an internal resource, delivering communications support to both program and administrative teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Content Creation

• Draft, edit, and publish engaging written and visual content for the Foundation’s digital platforms, news releases, and other applications. This includes but is not limited to conducting interviews with grantees, scholarship recipients, community members, staff at other nonprofits, etc.
• Administer the Foundation's social media channels, planning and creating content, proactively managing community and brand engagements, and analyzing performance for optimizations.
• Maintain the Foundation’s website, ensuring content is up-to-date, accessible, reflects our brand and mission, and analyzing performance for optimizations.
• Develop and curate a content calendar that supports grantmaking, advocacy, and community-building activities.

2. Program Support and Collaboration

• Collaborate with grantmaking, advocacy, and community-building teams to develop communications plans and content that highlight programs, grantees, and success stories.
• Provide communications support to staff, such as developing and refining presentations, announcements, talking points, stakeholder communications, and fact sheets.
• Stay current on rural issues, trends, and policy developments that align with the Foundation’s mission and program focus areas.

3. Media & External Relations

• Cultivate and maintain local and regional media stakeholder and contact lists.
• Coordinate media outreach, assist with responses to press inquiries, and occasionally prepare spokespeople for interviews as needed.
• Occasionally coordinate with external consultants who support Rural Advocacy activities.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in a related field is preferred, but not required.
• Three to five years of relevant experience in in communications, public relations, media, or a similar role (nonprofit or philanthropic sector experience is a plus).
• Strong storytelling, writing and editing skills with keen attention to detail.
• Proficiency in using social media platforms, content management systems like WordPress, and project management systems including Asana.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or similar tools.

Other Skills & Abilities 

• Commitment to Equity 
• Basic graphic design skills and familiarity with design tools, such as Canva
• Strong interpersonal skills: able to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and community partners
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to adhere to high standards of accuracy and to exhibit a strong attention to detail 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrate and embrace Blandin Foundation’s values 
• Practice continuous learning to grow personal/professional knowledge, skills, and abilities 
• Exhibits proactive problem-solving through critical thinking and resourcefulness, with a focus on process improvement.
• Maintains integrity and confidentiality by handling sensitive information ethically and discreetly
• Act with integrity, adaptability, accountability, confidentiality, and transparency 
• Flexible and adaptable to change in the workplace 
• Ability to work with others from a wide range of cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work well independently and in a team environment 
• Ability to communicate effectively with a focus toward a culture of service 

Typical Physical Requirements for the Position: 

• Sitting daily 4-8 hours, standing up to 4 hours occasionally 
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds 
• Frequent repetitive motion of hands, fingers, wrists (keyboard usage) for several hours per day 
• Occasional travel