Community News and Initiatives Manager Job at Legacy Foundation, Inc. in Merrill

The Community News and Initiatives Manager is a full-time position reporting to the Grants & Partnerships Director, responsible for building relationships, managing program activities, and coordinating events to strengthen local news, civic participation, and nonprofit capacity across Lake County, Indiana.

Qualifications

Professional/Technical Abilities

• Understanding of and/or prior experience working within the journalism space or a newsroom environment, including familiarity with how local news organizations operate and engage with communities strongly preferred.
• Strong relationship‑building and facilitation skills.
• Balance multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in an evolving environment, while maintaining attention to detail and a commitment to high‑quality work.
• Proficiency of MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Basic graphic design skills (e.g., Canva).
• Collaborate effectively with cross‑departmental teams to align programming, communications, and grantmaking efforts, contributing to a cohesive and mission‑driven organizational culture.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or higher.
• Minimum 2-4 years of experience in community engagement, program coordination, communications, or nonprofit work.

Personal Characteristics

• Passion for local news, civic engagement, community‑driven change, and access to information.
• Manages multiple projects, meetings, and deadlines with precision and follow‑through.
• Thinks creatively, bringing new ideas for program design, storytelling, and community engagement.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic environment where priorities evolve and opportunities emerge.
• Committed to inclusive engagement and ensuring diverse voices and perspectives are reflected in programs and decisions.
• Takes initiative and ownership while seeking input and alignment with team goals.
• Navigates partnerships and community dynamics with professionalism, empathy, and discretion.
• Embraces new tools, ideas, and approaches to build stronger communities and better information ecosystems.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

Sitting, standing, lifting, and walking. Visual, hearing, and verbal senses are required for communication. Work environment includes office and public locations based on meetings and events. Manual dexterity and visual capability to use computer, audio/visual and general office equipment. May include lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs.

Mental Demands

Must be able to work under moderate to high stress.

Duties and Responsibilities

Press Forward Lake County

About Press Forward Lake County: Legacy Foundation recently launched Press Forward Lake County to strengthen communities by supporting local news and information. A national program, Press Forward’s goal is to enhance local journalism and re‑center local news as a force for community cohesion.

Strategy and Vision

• Along with Press Forward Lake County’s Advisory Committee and foundation staff, set the direction for the program’s work as a funder, catalyst, and advocate.
• Identify new partnerships and opportunities to strengthen the local news ecosystem, analyze feasibility, shape specific engagements, and present recommendations internally.
• Oversee the coordination of Press Forward Lake County’s Advisory Committee, including meeting facilitation and member communication.
• Bring emergent learning.

External Communications and Coalition Building

• Promote the project’s goals and impact to various stakeholders, including policymakers, journalism partners, community leaders, and the public.
• Foster partnerships and build coalitions with local media organizations, community groups, and other relevant entities to advance the mission of Press Forward Lake County.
• Develop and execute strategic communication plans to enhance visibility of Press Forward Lake County, its grantees and local journalism as a public good.
• Convene and connect newsrooms, independent journalists, and grantees to share knowledge and strengthen relationships.

Grantmaking and Grants Management

• Work collaboratively with the foundation’s Grants & Partnerships Director and Grants Coordinator to execute Press Forward Lake County’s grantmaking, ensuring it advances the mission of the program and is structured to meet the needs of local newsrooms.
• Steward grant reporting, lifting up key insights and data from work to strengthen future grantmaking and ecosystem strengthening.
• Drive ongoing refinement of Press Forward Lake County’s grantmaking process to ensure it reflects an equitable philanthropic practice.
• Act as a partner and champion for Press Forward Lake County grantees.

Community Learning & Strategic Engagement

• Plan, coordinate, and execute trainings for nonprofits, residents, and stakeholders focused on skill‑building and capacity development.
• Identify facilitators, speakers, and strategize with the foundation’s Grants & Partnerships Director to identify training topics aligned with community and organizational needs.
• Manage all event logistics, including registration, communications, materials, and post‑event evaluations.
• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of workshops and events related to Legacy’s strategic initiatives, including advocacy, civic engagement, and small business/entrepreneurship.
• Assist with coordinating outreach, meeting logistics, and communications for stakeholder convenings related to strategic initiatives, including scheduling, materials preparation, and follow‑up.
• Support collaborative planning sessions with partners, including elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and community representatives.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communications staff to promote events, share stories of impact, and engage new audiences.
• Represent Legacy Foundation at community meetings, workshops, and partner convenings to strengthen relationships and identify emerging opportunities.

Application Process

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to legacy@legacyfdn.org attention: Maranda by December 21, 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As the community foundation for Lake County, we are committed to seeing all residents lifted to their fullest potential. Our experience has shown us that when we work together, there is positive, meaningful, and long‑lasting change.
Legacy Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer.
All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business needs.

Benefits and Salary

Pay Range: $55,000 - $65,000 per year

Job Type: Full‑time

• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Business Development and Sales