FUNDRAISING & EVENTS MANAGER

Description:

We are looking for a driven and detail-oriented development professional interested in event and volunteer management to join our dynamic team. The Fundraising & Events Manager will help us reach organizational fundraising goals through a focus on executing impactful and engaging events that serve as crucial touch points with supporters and the community.

This position will report to our CYC Headquarters located at 218 S Wabash Ave, Suite 510

The Fundraising & Events Manager supports the mission of CYC through strategic, engaging, and successful fundraising and volunteer events that increase donor stewardship and cultivate new prospects.

THE OPPORTUNITY: Chicago Youth Centers seeks a driven and detail-oriented entry-level development professional interested in event and volunteer management to join our dynamic team. The Events Manager will help us reach organizational fundraising goals through a focus on executing successful, impactful and engaging events that serve as crucial touch points with supporters and the community. They will report to the Director of Development and work closely with the development team and CYC’s Auxiliary Board.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The primary focus of the Fundraising & Events Manager is to support the mission of CYC through strategic, engaging, and successful fundraising and volunteer events that increase donor stewardship and cultivate new prospects. Special projects and tasks as expected include, but are not limited to:

Event Management

• Responsible for managing event logistics, securing donations, driving fundraising results and working closely with the Director of Development to execute CYC’s annual fundraisers, Shake & Stir in February and Believe in Kids Dinner in May, to ensure seamless and successful events
• Coordinates with vendors, venue, and in-kind food and alcohol donors
• Manages event mailings (invitations, sponsorship packets, donation requests)
• Manages the team in outreach to prospective event sponsors
• Coordinates with sponsors about their pledges, benefits, and guest information
• Works with the team to coordinate the layout, décor, and run of show
• Responsible for ordering relevant supplies, tracking expenses, revenue and budget to goal
• Manages team and Auxiliary Board in securing in-kind donations (sponsorships, auction, food and beverage items)
• Supports the team in hosting a handful of micro donor cultivation events throughout the year
• Manages event-related software used for ticket purchases, attendee management, mobile auction bidding, paddle raises, peer-to-peer fundraising, etc.
• Stays abreast of event software enhancements and communicates them regularly to the team
• Responsible for pulling activity reports from event software and reporting out progress to goal and event analysis

Donor Management

• Responsible for entering and receipting event-related gifts accurately and in a timely manner
• Responsible for pulling reports on event donors and donations
• Coordinates with team to ensure all event pledges are entered in donor database and fulfilled
• Coordinates with team in thanking, stewarding and cultivating donors with a personalized and strategic approach

Volunteer Management

• Responsible for recruiting, training, and managing event volunteers at CYC’s annual fundraising events (Believe in Kids Dinner and Shake & Stir)
• Supports team in recruiting and managing volunteers at occasional smaller events throughout the year (corporate and Board volunteer events at CYC Centers, micro fundraising events, etc.)
• Responsible for managing CYC’s diverse, dynamic, and creative group of 35-40 passionate, young- to mid-career professionals that comprise our Auxiliary Board
• Works closely with the Auxiliary Board Co-Chairs and Executive Committee to support their structure and initiatives (Shake & Stir, micro-events, third-party fundraisers, happy hours, recruitment events, volunteer events, and special projects)

COMPETENCIES: The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following competencies or “soft skills” that will be necessary for success in this role:

• Detail Orientation: demonstrates superior attention to detail; is committed to accuracy and consistency in data entry; strict adherence to organizational policies and procedures; able to manage up to DD, COS and CEO to keep projects on track
• Project and Team Management: able to command a group; eager to lead complex team projects; manages and supports volunteers
• Strong Relationship Management and Interpersonal Skills: demonstrates strong communication and customer service skills as front line event coordinator; able to build rapport quickly with people; comfortable reaching out to potential event donors; is responsive and approachable; able to work cohesively with a team
• Growth Mindset: is willing and eager to learn from others; takes an active role in own professional development; interested in opportunities to gain broader knowledge of and experience in nonprofit fundraising

Requirements:

• Associate degree or relevant certification required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Entry-level candidates may apply with a Bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of relevant experience, otherwise candidate must have a minimum of 2-3 years of professional experience in a relevant field (e.g., fundraising, non-profits, administration, volunteer management or event management role)
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Ability to occasionally work outside of normal business hours as needed
• Comfortable with a hybrid work environment that is remote, in-office, and in-community
• Strong attention to detail, ability to drive team and volunteers on multiple projects and complete tasks in a timely manner
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, self-motivated, team-player, organized, goal oriented
• Knowledgeable in the use of Word, Excel, and other office software and/or web-based applications
• Able to learn and master other computer technology/software programs as needed
• Able to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge, OneCause, or other event management or donor database software will have competitive advantage
• Commitment to the mission and philosophy of Chicago Youth Centers
• A passion for youth development and a desire to help Chicago Youth Centers grow; experience working with diverse populations preferred