Writer
KU Endowment
Date: 6 days ago
City: Lawrence, Kansas
Contract type: Full time
Description
Writer
Department: BrandComm
Reports to: Content Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
The anticipated salary for this position starts at $68,200. The final pay will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry, with a strong emphasis on maintaining internal equity.
Who We Are And What We’re About
KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU.
As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity. You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends. This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university. We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits.
People are engaged. Purpose is ignited. Lives are changed.
What We Are Looking For
You’re a storyteller with heart — a sharp interviewer, a graceful writer and a champion of clarity, voice and purpose. As a Writer at KU Endowment, you’ll play a central role in crafting compelling content that celebrates the power of philanthropy and its lasting impact on the University of Kansas.
In this role, you’ll serve as the beat writer for assigned academic units, working closely with university partners to identify story opportunities, interview donors and scholars, and develop written content that inspires giving and deepens connection. Whether it's a full-length feature for a publication, a gift announcement, or copy for a high-impact donor proposal, your work will help bring KU’s mission to life through words.
You’ll report to the Content Director and collaborate closely with colleagues across the organization to ensure every piece of writing aligns with campaign strategy, brand tone and our shared vision for a stronger KU.
The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities.
What’s a typical day look like?
We’ve Got You Covered
KU Endowment offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including:
Please include your resume, cover letter, and writing samples when applying for this position on our website at https://www.kuendowment.org/careers.
In order to evaluate writing skill, tone and style, please submit 3-4 recent writing samples (created or published within the last year) with your resume and application. Examples of acceptable samples include blog posts, news releases, articles, grants or other contributions. Samples should reflect your ability to research, report, organize content and communicate creatively and clearly to your readers. This attachment needs to be attached within the application under Upload Additional Files, next to Upload Cover Letter.
Questions Regarding This Vacancy May Be Addressed To
Emily Garcia
Sr. Human Resources Associate
KU Endowment
PO Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928
Email: [email protected]
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Because of the sensitive nature of KU Endowment business and the importance of our reputation with donors, KU Endowment conducts a comprehensive review of applicants. By submitting your application, you authorize us to conduct reference checks and a review of available public information. Employment is contingent upon background and reference checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.
Writer
Department: BrandComm
Reports to: Content Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
The anticipated salary for this position starts at $68,200. The final pay will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry, with a strong emphasis on maintaining internal equity.
Who We Are And What We’re About
KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU.
As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity. You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends. This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university. We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits.
People are engaged. Purpose is ignited. Lives are changed.
What We Are Looking For
You’re a storyteller with heart — a sharp interviewer, a graceful writer and a champion of clarity, voice and purpose. As a Writer at KU Endowment, you’ll play a central role in crafting compelling content that celebrates the power of philanthropy and its lasting impact on the University of Kansas.
In this role, you’ll serve as the beat writer for assigned academic units, working closely with university partners to identify story opportunities, interview donors and scholars, and develop written content that inspires giving and deepens connection. Whether it's a full-length feature for a publication, a gift announcement, or copy for a high-impact donor proposal, your work will help bring KU’s mission to life through words.
You’ll report to the Content Director and collaborate closely with colleagues across the organization to ensure every piece of writing aligns with campaign strategy, brand tone and our shared vision for a stronger KU.
The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities.
What’s a typical day look like?
- Deliver Engaging, Mission-Driven Content
- Write original stories that celebrate donors, students, faculty and research initiatives — with an emphasis on emotion, authenticity and impact.
- Contribute to flagship publications and outreach materials.
- Translate complex information into accessible, inspiring narratives tailored to key audiences.
- Serve as Beat Writer for Assigned Schools and Units
- Partner with designated schools and departments at KU to stay informed on initiatives, events and donor engagement opportunities.
- Develop story pipelines in collaboration with internal partners to align content with fundraising goals and campaign needs.
- Serve as a consistent, trusted editorial voice representing the accomplishments and needs of your assigned units.
- Support Philanthropic Communications Across Channels
- Provide editorial support for major gift proposals, stewardship reports, giving opportunities and impact pieces.
- Assist in writing and editing materials for KU Endowment campaigns, donor communications, websites and social media.
- Offer peer editing support for other writers to maintain tone, clarity and consistency across platforms.
- Collaborate Across Creative + Fundraising Teams
- Work closely with designers, video producers and other storytellers to bring content to life in multiformat campaigns.
- Participate in editorial planning sessions to align storytelling efforts with organizational priorities.
- Build relationships with fundraisers and university communicators to help surface the most compelling stories across campus.
- You’ll Be Successful If…
- You’re a Natural Interviewer. You listen closely, ask smart follow-ups and know how to draw out stories that stick.
- You Write with Purpose. You balance narrative flair with clarity and structure, always keeping your audience in mind.
- You’re a Translator of Ideas. You’re skilled at distilling complex topics, removing jargon, and turning information into clear, compelling and factually accurate stories that connect with donors and broader audiences.
- You’re Strategic. You understand how to write with intent — for brand, for audience, for fundraising goals.
- You’re Collaborative. You thrive in a team environment and bring a positive, can-do spirit to every project.
- You Love KU. You believe in the mission of public education and the transformational power of philanthropy — and you’re proud to help tell that story.
- Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English or a related field
- Minimum of 4 years of relevant writing, reporting or editorial experience
- Strong portfolio of published feature stories, donor profiles or editorial content
- Exceptional writing, interviewing and editing skills
- Proficiency in AP style and editorial best practices
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills
- Comfort working in a deadline-driven, team-oriented environment
- Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment.
- Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology.
- A valid driver’s license.
- Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities.
- Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards.
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office productivity machinery such as computers, keyboards and a mouse, laptops, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
- This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
- The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- The person in this position frequently communicates with donors, colleagues, students, and general public. Must be able to communicate with others effectively.
- Physical effort/lifting is limited - up to 10 pounds
- Light travel required on occasion.
We’ve Got You Covered
KU Endowment offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including:
- 100% employer-paid pension plan
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
- Section 125 flexible benefits
- Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
- Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
- Paid Parental Leave
- Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
- Legal & ID Theft protection
- Critical Illness
- Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
- KU education assistance
- Free parking
Please include your resume, cover letter, and writing samples when applying for this position on our website at https://www.kuendowment.org/careers.
In order to evaluate writing skill, tone and style, please submit 3-4 recent writing samples (created or published within the last year) with your resume and application. Examples of acceptable samples include blog posts, news releases, articles, grants or other contributions. Samples should reflect your ability to research, report, organize content and communicate creatively and clearly to your readers. This attachment needs to be attached within the application under Upload Additional Files, next to Upload Cover Letter.
Questions Regarding This Vacancy May Be Addressed To
Emily Garcia
Sr. Human Resources Associate
KU Endowment
PO Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928
Email: [email protected]
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Because of the sensitive nature of KU Endowment business and the importance of our reputation with donors, KU Endowment conducts a comprehensive review of applicants. By submitting your application, you authorize us to conduct reference checks and a review of available public information. Employment is contingent upon background and reference checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.
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