Description

Reporting to the Executive Director the Special Events and Major Gifts Director is

responsible for overseeing YES’ Special Events, including a major biannual Gala,

working with a group of donors and prospects who give or have the potential of giving

gifts of $20,000 and above. He/She/They will work directly with donors and prospects to

deepen their engagement in YES through face-to-face solicitation and the creation and

executive of cultivation events and material. The position will also provide support for

the ED, Founder and Board of Directors to steward all major donors. Working within

YES’ highly collaborative environment, the Special Events and Major Gifts Director will

play an integral role in achieving annual fundraising objectives and increasing donated

income to meet strategic programmatic and administrative goals.

Responsibilities

● Manage and grow a portfolio of donors at the $20,000-$50,000 level as well as

identify and cultivate new and lower-level donors with the capacity to give at the

$5,000 -$10,000+ level.

● Work with YES ED, Founder and Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, and

solicit current and prospective donors to YES’ annual fund, endowment, and

other initiatives as part of a comprehensive philanthropic campaign.

● Manage board activities including board meetings, committee meetings, ongoing

communications, onboarding, and board engagement in individual fundraising

and events

● Drive communications and follow-up, including maintaining detailed contact

reports and phase changes, on managed prospect and donor records.

● Track moves and interactions in YES’ CRM software. Maintain a robust donor

prospecting pipeline and participate in the identification of new prospective

donors.

● Prepare and edit written communications, stewardship reports, correspondence,

proposals, and presentations for major donors. This work includes authoring

donor briefings and correspondence, event scripts, talking points, etc.

● Plan events that maximize major donor and prospect cultivation opportunities.

● Manage and oversee all special fundraising events, including YES’ bi-annual

gala.

● Facilitate Special Events committee meetings, creating agendas, reporting on

logistics and drafting meeting minutes.

● Create and monitor all event-related timelines and deliverables cross-

departmentally so that all deadlines are met.

● Manage all event-related budgets, expense and revenue reporting and tracking,

vendor contracts, and digital organization of all event materials. Provide regular

revenue and expense reports to key staff and leadership.

● Manage and mentor event committees, volunteer leaders, and individual event

volunteers.

● Ensure the production of all written and printed event-related collateral materials,

including invitations, advertisements, web-based media, and all other internal

and external materials related to Special Events.

● Research and solicit potential gift in kind auction vendors and corporations.

● Conduct post-event evaluations and make recommendations for improvement.

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s Degree and minimum of 10 years of experience in not-for-profit

fundraising and development required, including Individual Giving and Special

Events.

● Demonstrated ability to successfully work independently and with volunteers and

other staff as part of a team.

● Ability to work successfully in a complex, fast-paced organization handling

multiple tasks while meeting deadlines and serving multiple stakeholders.

● Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well within a team environment.

● Inclination for being highly organized, self-driven and persistent in donor

prospecting approach.

● Ability to interact with staff, volunteers, donors, and public representing a variety

of perspectives, and ability to operate effectively in a large institutional

environment.

● Ability to be a persuasive advocate for YES’ priorities and present information in

a clear and compelling manner, both in writing and in person.

● Sound judgment, tactful and ability to handle highly confidential information.

● Strong initiative and attention to detail.

YES Scholars (Young Eisner Scholars)

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Special Events & Major Gifts Director