Development Writer

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.  

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 89 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on-site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over five million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

Main Duties

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Write, edit, and proofread copy for direct fundraising appeals, both written and digital, fundraising communications and case statements.
• Draft personalized donor acknowledgment letters, impact updates, and create content for a variety of other materials such as the donor registry or annual report.
• Research and write feature articles, donor profiles, and updates for newsletters, web pages, and the other written materials distributed to donors.
• Review and edit text for donor society materials, event invitations, program packets, and basic leadership remarks or talking points as requested.
• Research and write individual, corporate, and foundation grant proposals based on established organizational needs.
• Interview program staff and internal stakeholders, gather the necessary data, facts, and anecdotes required to build accurate, mission-centric funding arguments.
• Format, build, and deploy mass email messages using existing templates; make routine text and content updates to donor-facing web pages.
• Gather and coordinate production assets—such as photography and specific graphic design elements—to be included with written copy for donor-facing brochures, flyers, and digital media.
• Serve as proofreader, as requested, on outgoing developmental communications to ensure absolute accuracy, proper grammar, and adherence to the organization's established brand.

This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.

Required Education and Experience:

• A four-year degree in English, journalism or another field emphasizing required research and writing abilities.
• 3-5 years of professional copywriting experience, ideally within a nonprofit development department, marketing agency, or public relations setting. A diverse portfolio of fundraising appeals, newsletters, and basic grant proposals is required.
• Functional experience working within email marketing platforms (e.g., Prospect2, SFMC,Constant Contact) and Content Management Systems (CMS) for basic web text editing.
• Strong copy-editing and proofreading skills, with a proven ability to match an established institutional voice across both print and digital mediums.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage a steady stream of writing deadlines independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with donor databases and related systems.
• Development or other nonprofit experience.
• Experience in museums, arts and culture, or historical preservation organizations.

Key Skills / Competencies:

Proven copywriting experience in a variety of external communications formats. Outstanding communication and organizational skills and the ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.  Ability to write and create materials for a variety of uses and audiences, and to synthesize and translate complex information into engaging and persuasive communications.  Self-motivation, along with the ability to work independently while acting as a positive team member, are essential.  Capable of managing and carrying out multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Physical Activity

Frequency

Stand

Occasionally

Walk

Occasionally

Sit

Frequently

Use hands/fingers

Constantly

Climb or balance

Rarely

Stoop/kneel/crouch/crawl

Rarely

Reach with hands/arms

Rarely

Talk or hear

Frequently

Lifting up to 10 lbs.

Rarely

Lifting up to 25 lbs.

Rarely

Lifting up to 50 lbs. (with assistance)

Rarely

Lifting up to 100 lbs. (with assistance)

Rarely

More than 100 lbs. (with assistance)

Rarely

Wet/humid conditions:

Rarely

Work near moving mechanical parts:

Rarely

Fumes/airborne particles:

Rarely

Extreme cold:

Rarely

Extreme heat: 

Rarely

Risk of electrical shock

Rarely

Driving requirement:

None

Compensation Disclaimer: The compensation listed below for this position represents the anticipated hiring range and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role.

Range: $55,000 - $75,000/year