Fundraising and Event Specialist

Are you a strategic and analytical thinker who understands how data drives decision making and how relationships are key to fundraising success? Do you love both cats and party planning? Are you ready to take the next step in your fundraising career? SAFe Rescue's growing Development and Communications Team is looking for someone to build positive and appreciative relationships with supporters, inspire the community to help cats and the humans who love them, and create fundraising events that connect attendees to SAFe Rescue’s mission.

Duties and responsibilities

Event Planning and Execution

• Serve as the project manager and key point of contact for SAFe’s largest annual event, the Nine Lives Gala (scheduled for 9/21/24)
• Negotiate with and be point-of-contact for event venues/vendors, including for the Nine Lives Gala
• Oversee the practical elements of each event and—with assistance from volunteers—carry out pre-event preparations. (E.g. applying for necessary licenses; creating name tags, meal cards, bidder packets, bid envelopes, bid sheets, table maps, silent auction baskets, etc.)
• Ensure that event data is up-to-date, and—with assistance from volunteers—enter data into the Greater Giving database. (E.g. entering ticket sales and meal choices, assigning guests to tables, editing sales settings, entering and describing donated items, etc.)
• Coordinate volunteers and staff working the event, including recruitment and setting the event night schedule.
• With the help of the Development and Communications Manager, ensure that event-related budget goals stay on track and are met.

Donor Care

• Work with the Development Team to keep CRM up-to-date and acknowledge supporters
• Help train and oversee Development volunteers
• Cultivate crowd-funding, social media, and peer-to-peer donations
• Track and acknowledge workplace donations and company matches
• Ensure that recurring payment information stays up-to-date and monthly givers in SAFe’s Helping Paw Circle feel engaged and appreciated
• Assist with grant applications, associated data tracking, and follow-up reports

Data Management

• Oversee the accuracy of data that is entered by staff and volunteers
• Import donor/gift info into LGL from multiple platforms
• Keep informed of best practices and help troubleshoot issues
• Compile fundraising data into a monthly Development Report to be shared with the Finance Manager
• Work with the Finance and Development teams to resolve discrepancies in reporting

Relationship Building

• Work with the Development Team to cultivate and thank individual supporters and business partners.
• Serve as the staff contact for the Outreach Committee, recruiting committee members and supporting and encouraging committee projects.
• Collaborate with Volunteer Manager to recruit, train, supervise, and appreciate event and outreach volunteers.
• With the assistance of the Development Team, procure donated goods and services from local businesses. (E.g. Items to auction, food and beverages to serve, etc.)
• Collaborate with the Development Team to procure, manage, and acknowledge business sponsorships.

Communications

• Help coordinate marketing and guest communications, including both online content and mailings.
• Oversee communications such as invitations or event materials and collaborate with graphic designers to create event materials.
• Collaborate with the Development Team to create compelling messaging that inspires community support.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

This position involves keeping track of numerous details and deadlines and requires advanced time-management, organizational, and multitasking skills. The ideal candidate for this position will have a passion for saving cats, will enjoy raising support for a good cause, and will be enthusiastic about working with people.

Qualifications include:

• Demonstrated success in a staff or volunteer fundraising role.
• Highly organized with a commitment to accuracy and detail
• Ability to take direction, focus, manage time, and meet competing deadlines
• Experience managing or assisting with large fundraising events (live and silent auction experience preferred)
• Experience with non-profit databases (familiarity with Greater Giving and Little Green Light preferred)
• Excellent professional written and verbal communication skills
• Enjoy working in collaboration with others, including staff, volunteers, vendors, donors, and media
• Ability to work independently, identify priorities, and use goals to stay organized
• Adaptability and the capacity to stay calm and troubleshoot any issues that arise
• An optimistic mindset and positive, can-do attitude
• Comfort with technology, ability to learn new systems

Preferred Skills, & Experience:

• Understanding of relationship-building and principles of fundraising
• Experience recruiting guests and donors for fundraising events
• Comfortable working with the media and speaking in front of groups
• Experience using Google GSuite products, Canva, MailChimp, WordPress, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience interacting with cats; or love of animals and willingness to learn more about felines

Working conditions

• This position will involve a regular schedule with the majority of work hours taking place in person during weekday office hours, but some evening and weekend work will be required, including on event days.
• Working with large events is fast-paced and involves managing multiple tasks and responsibilities in a sometimes distracting environment.
• Due to the nature of shelter work, employees may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; parasites, zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; disinfectants and chemicals; and extreme temperatures.
• The position involves direct contact with cats, humans, computers, and a variety of cat-related products.

Physical requirements

• Ability to operate a computer and smartphone
• Ability to work at a desk (sitting or standing) for extended periods
• Physical ability to push or pull 30 pounds for donated items/event supplies optimal, but not required.

Employee Benefits

• Paid sick, holiday, and vacation time
• Health & vision insurance with employer contribution
• Employer-sponsored retirement account
• Pet supplies and some veterinary services available to purchase at cost
• Option to purchase Colonial Life supplemental insurance policy

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, including your fundraising event experience, and why you would like to work at a cat rescue.

Work Location: In person