Maryland Nonprofits is hiring: Marketing and Communication Contractor in Gaither

This position is ideal for an experienced marketing and communications professional who can help support a short-term grant-funded project, “The Empower Project,” over the period of March 2025 through March 2027. We are seeking a marketing and communications contractor with several years experience in graphic design, digital marketing, and video editing.

Arts for the Aging is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit recognized nationally for its best practices, program design, and outcomes. The organization’s mission engages regular arts participation to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health. It connects older adults and caregivers with arts experiences and equips professional artists with curriculums, trainings, and skills to ignite self-expression and social connection vital to healthy aging and caregiving. We imagine a world where participatory arts programming is accessible to all older adults and caregivers and becomes a standard model in healthcare.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The marketing and communications contractor will report to the Program Director and collaborate with staff to support Arts for the Aging’s communications, marketing, and messaging for The Empower Project.

The marketing and communications contractor will help us build project and brand awareness, project participation, and visibility for Arts for the Aging through print and digital media optimization. The contractor will be responsible for designing templates for advertising project workshops, social media content celebrating the project, and e-newsletters to project stakeholders. These templates must be in a software and format for staff to update content as needed. The contractor will create project reports, infographics, and edited video content for Arts for the Aging supporters and followers, and a broader general audience. The ultimate goal is to communicate the results of The Empower Project while friend-raising and amplifying organizational fundraising.

Perform other project-related marketing activities as mutually agreed upon during the contract period.

PROJECT TIMELINE AND DELIVERABLES:

Planning Phase

March – April 2025

Budget for Contractor Fees: $5,000

Deliverables:

1. Create basic graphics and visuals templates for project support materials for programs, events, and promotions. (Estimated five templates - postcard, flyer, e-newsletter, brochure, business card)
2. Design materials and eight templates for the Arts for the Aging blog and for social media to highlight the project, engage audiences, and advertise opportunities with support from the program and communications coordinator
3. Design an Empower Project webpage for the Arts for the Aging website (sample viewable here)

Implementation Phase, pending funder approval of project plan

May 2025 – March 2027

Budget for Contractor Fees: $22,000

Quarterly Deliverables

May-August 2025 - $5,500 payment for invoiced deliverables

1. Training handout templates (estimated three)
2. One annual report design (samples viewable here)
3. Two social media posts with video about pilot portion of The Empower Project

September – December 2025

No deliverables anticipated at this time.

January – April 2026 - $5,500 payment for invoiced deliverables

1. Design materials and templates for four work samples featuring The Empower Project
2. Design infographics for reporting 2025 program statistics, participant demographics, and evaluation data

May-August 2026 - $5,500 payment for invoiced deliverables

1. One annual report design (samples viewable here)
2. Two social media posts with video about year two of The Empower Project
3. Update project communications templates as needed

September – December 2026

No deliverables anticipated at this time.

January – April 2027 - $5,500 payment for invoiced deliverables

1. Design infographics for reporting 2026 program statistics, participant demographics, and evaluation data
2. Design materials for The Empower Project final report (TBD with funder)

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Creative thinker with strong content production skills
• Knowledge experience using Microsoft Office Suite, social media, SEO skills, content management systems
• Ability to tell stories with visuals, graphics, and photos in compelling way
• Ability to design for social, digital, and print platforms
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in digital communications, marketing, communications, or related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) years of directly related experience in nonprofit communications or marketing
• Clear and culturally equitable visual sensibility
• Detail oriented with a dedication to accuracy
• Experience in working to meet diverse needs within a social service organization
• Experience with software such as Canva, Adobe Design Suite, Word Press

ADA SPECIFICATIONS:

Arts for the Aging operates on a hybrid telework and office schedule. The office is located in Gaithersburg, MD, with the organization’s administrative headquarters housed in a dynamic shared office space at Launch. The role is primarily sedentary, but may require the ability to occasionally lift items weighing up to 25 pounds and transport them to another location.

Arts for the Aging is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or other protected class status.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

ANTICIPATED HIRE DATE: spring 2025

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Send your cover letter, including what makes you a good fit for this role, provide samples of work from different platforms, digital, print, social, and your resume to info@AFTAarts.org. Attention/Subject: marketing and communications contractor search. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries or snail mail applications, please.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS:

This is a contract position with no benefits.