Annual Giving and Events Manager

Annual Giving and Events Manager Natick Service Council | Natick, MA Compensation: $55,000 annually Schedule: Part-time, approximately 20–32 hours per week, depending on experience. Position Summary Natick Service Council (NSC) seeks an Annual Giving and Events Manager with nonprofit fundraising experience to lead its annual Spring Gala, annual direct mail appeals, fall fundraising event, and other key fundraising initiatives. Working on the advancement team, this person will lead fundraising and event planning for NSC’s annual Spring Gala and fall fundraising event, cultivate donor relationships and corporate partnerships, and develop and execute annual giving campaigns. The ideal candidate is exceptionally organized and deadline-oriented, skilled at building and stewarding relationships, and able to manage multiple priorities. Key Responsibilities Event Management Own planning timelines, budgets, event flow, task management, delegation, coordination of all event logistics and vendors, and event-day run of show for key fundraising events including the annual Spring Gala and fall fundraiser. Manage communications with vendors and partners, including venue, catering, bartending, florist, printer, AV, and more. Develop event collateral, including graphics, save-the-dates, invitations, signage, programs, scripts, and slideshows. Manage sponsorship efforts, including prospecting and outreach, sponsor benefits and recognition, and sponsorship proposals. Work closely with Event Co-Chairs, Table Host Committee, Planning Committee, staff, and volunteers on finalizing event details, live and silent auction items and raffle items, event-day set-up, and expanding guest attendance. Generate ticket and table sales through direct outreach to individuals, businesses, and community networks. Coordinate communications and promotion, including social media, email, print materials, media outreach, and recognition of donors, in-kind donors, and sponsors. Manage event database, event website, and online auction; track ticket and table commitments and auction fulfillment. Maintain communication with donors, sponsors, and guests to secure commitments, track outstanding payments, collect meal selections, and conduct follow-up as needed. Lead post-event follow-up, including acknowledgement, outstanding auction and donor follow-up, database integrity, expense reconciliation, and post-event debriefs. Annual Giving Management Develop and execute NSC’s annual giving strategy, with goals for donor acquisition, retention, and increased annual giving revenue. Lead annual fundraising campaigns throughout the year, including direct mail, email, digital, and holiday appeals. Work with mailhouse to coordinate all aspects of direct mail appeals, including mailing lists, copy, design, production, segmentation, deployment, and follow-up. Develop compelling fundraising content that communicates the mission, need, and impact of donor support. Work with the Program Director on the annual holiday fundraising campaign to advance community outreach and awareness, drive fundraising, and steward and retain donors. Track campaign responses and contributions to help assess results and guide future outreach. Individual and Corporate Portfolio Management Build and maintain a pipeline of individual and corporate donors, advancing relationships through prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal. Identify, research, and engage prospective individual and corporate donors. Grow annual giving and monthly donor programs, including strategies for donor acquisition, upgrades, and recurring giving. Conduct outreach by phone, email, meetings, and networking to cultivate relationships and solicit contributions. Coordinate with staff, Board members, volunteers, and community connections to leverage relationships, facilitate introductions, and identify fundraising opportunities. Ensure timely donor stewardship through personalized communication and follow-up. Development Administration Maintain accurate individual and corporate donor information and outreach records in fundraising database. Provide regular updates on fundraising activity, commitments, ticket sales, and outstanding opportunities. Manage and develop detailed calendars for donor and vendor outreach, fundraising and project deadlines, follow-ups, and key development activities. Handle donor and client information with discretion and confidentiality. Qualifications Experience working with nonprofit organizations in fundraising, development, donor relations, or a related role is required. Event planning experience preferred. Experience soliciting donations, securing corporate sponsorships, supporting direct mail campaigns, or generating event revenue preferred. Confidence initiating outreach, making a clear fundraising ask, and following up professionally. Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build relationships with a range of supporters. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and consistent follow-through; extremely deadline-oriented. Ability to work independently and collaborate with staff, Board members, and volunteers. Experience using donor databases or CRM systems; Salesforce experience is a plus. A commitment to NSC’s mission and to respectful, professional donor engagement. Compensation and Schedule This position offers an annual salary of $55,000 for approximately 20–32 hours per week. The weekly commitment will be established during the hiring process based on experience and the time needed to fulfill the role’s responsibilities. More experienced development professionals may work closer to 20 hours per week, while candidates earlier in their careers may require closer to 32 hours. Occasional evening availability and attendance at weekend fundraising events required.