Hiring: Fundraising & Events Coordinator/Manager

Fundraising & Events Coordinator

Manager: Executive Director
Location: Currently remote in the DC, MD, VA area (*see below for note about office location)
Job Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

NOTE: Depending on experience and qualifications, applicants may be hired as either Fundraising & Events Coordinator ($55,000-$65,000) or Fundraising & Events Manager ($65,000-$75,000).

The job description for Fundraising & Events Coordinator is shown below. Click here to view the Fundraising & Events Manager job description. Please note that application materials differ for the two positions.

About CSG

Join an award-winning non-profit in the Washington, DC region with a record of success. The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington, D.C. region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. For over 27 years, CSG has advocated for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, D.C. region to grow and provide opportunities for all. Read more about our organization at smartergrowth.net and view our Blueprint for a Better Region.

Your Role

The Fundraising & Events Coordinator is primarily responsible for coordinating CSG’s spring and fall fundraisers, and End of Year Giving Campaign, and assisting the Executive Director with individual and corporate fundraising and donor management. You will also be assisting with administrative tasks.

The Fundraising & Events Coordinator will work towards advancing the following goals:

Support donor cultivation and retention through well-executed events, campaigns, and sponsorships
Foster connections with donors and sponsors by organizing impactful events and outreach initiatives that raise awareness and expand support for the organization’s mission
Assist with operational efficiency by maintaining accurate donor records, streamlining administrative processes, and managing financial reconciliations.
Increase positive awareness of CSG and build support for a full range of our programs and role within land use, transportation, and housing in the DC region

Your Responsibilities

The Fundraising & Events Coordinator will work closely with the Communications Director and report to CSG’s Executive Director. Under the general supervision of CSG’s Executive Director, this position will:

Fundraising (50%)

Draft communications materials for prospective sponsors and donors, such as sponsorship prospectuses, emails, online sponsorship pages, and sponsor letters
Support Executive Director with corporate fundraising initiatives including preparing spreadsheets, mail-merged solicitation letters, and other materials for spring and fall fundraising events
Identify and develop sponsorship opportunities, track sponsorship commitments, conduct sponsor research, and coordinate follow-up activities
Manage donor database ensuring accuracy, completeness, and eliminate redundancies.
Run queries and reports as needed
Generate invoices and acknowledgment letters for corporate and individual donors.
Assist with grant tracking and reporting, updating application deadlines and records across systems
Coordinate the End-of-Year Giving campaign: craft targeted email copy, social media appeals and personalized donor letters – in collaboration with the Communications Director and Executive Director
Draft the annual report with input from policy staff and coordinate with designers and printers for layout and production

Event Planning (30%)

Identify event locations, vendors, coordinate contracts, and establish budget
Collaborate with vendors, staff, and volunteers to ensure well-executed annual spring and fall fundraisers
Draft promotional emails and social media posts to maximize event attendance in collaboration with the Communications Director
Collaborate with donors to conceptualize and organize engaging events such as happy hours, coffee meetups, and house parties aimed at fostering community connections and supporting fundraising efforts
Assist policy staff as needed with online/in-person educational events (walking tours, webinars, etc)

Administrative (25%)

Process and record donations across databases, including checks, stock transfers, donor-advised funds, and grants.
Perform regular reconciliations, including biweekly donation reconciliation with the Finance Specialist and monthly credit card reconciliation.
Respond promptly to donor inquiries, ensuring a high level of professionalism and responsiveness
Assist with the transition from Dropbox to Google Shared Drive
Assist with miscellaneous communications and administrative tasks as necessary

Required Qualifications

Commitment to CSG’s core values, mission and vision, and positive outlook and passion for winning change
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles
2-3 years of relevant experience in event planning and/or fundraising
Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and deadlines
Ability to work on numerous deadline projects simultaneously, at varying stages of production
Strong writing skills

Preferred Qualifications

A working knowledge of local housing, transportation, land use, and conservation issues in the DC area
Customer Relations Management (CRM) software systems experience, including managing contact lists, running reports, creating contribution forms, and sending email messages through an online messaging/advocacy software (EveryAction preferred)
Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and execute events, including managing logistics, vendors, and volunteers
Experience with donor relations, sponsorship outreach, and managing fundraising campaigns or appeals
Understanding of nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement strategies, and grant tracking processes
Proficient in writing engaging and professional communications, such as emails, promotional materials, and donor correspondence
Proficiency in speaking, writing, and reading in Spanish is a plus

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt / hourly position with benefits. Salary range of $55,000-65,000, commensurate with experience and demonstrated outcomes.

Benefits

CSG, through its parent organization The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 73% employer paid for added dependents)
Short & Long Term Disability*
Group Term Life*
Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
FSA accounts (health & dependent)
403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
10 paid holidays
2 floating holidays
PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
Travel Expense Reimbursement
Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
Professional Development support
Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.

Office Location

CSG has operated virtually since the pandemic and is evaluating options for shared office space we could secure once we deem it appropriate (possibly in early 2025). Residency within the D.C. region is preferred. Periodic evening and weekend work is required and matched with reasonable flexibility during the week.

Application Process

Interested applicants should email jobs@smartergrowth.net with a resume (required) and a writing sample (preferred) (for example the writing sample could be event timelines, fundraising collateral, digital donation appeal, etc). In addition, provide 2-3 paragraphs (required) answering the following questions:

Why do you want to work at CSG? How are your professional interests aligned with CSG’s mission and why do you want to focus your career on furthering our mission? (1 paragraph)
Give us an example of a project where you had to coordinate multiple moving parts and stick to a timeline. How did you organize yourself? What were the end results? (1-2 paragraphs)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but priority will be given to candidates who apply by February 3, 2025.

If you are a good fit, CSG will reach out to you within 2 weeks of receiving your application. The following is what you can expect as part of our hiring process:

phone interview with Executive Director and policy staffer
panel interview with the full team
writing exercise or other skills assessment
reference check

The Coalition for Smarter Growth strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.

Fundraising & Events Manager

Manager: Executive Director
Location: Currently remote in the DC, MD, VA area (*see below for note about office location)
Job Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Depending on experience and qualifications, applicants may be hired as either Fundraising & Events Coordinator ($55,000-$65,000) or Fundraising & Events Manager ($65,000-$75,000).

The job description for Fundraising & Events Manager is shown below. View also the Fundraising & Events Coordinator job description (above). Please note that application materials differ for the two positions.

About CSG

Join an award winning non-profit in the Washington, DC region with a record of success in winning more housing, transit, safer streets for walking and biking, and more sustainable, inclusive communities. The Coalition for Smarter Growth is the leading organization in the Washington, D.C. region dedicated to making the case for smart growth. For 25 years, CSG has advocated for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, D.C. region to grow and provide opportunities for all. Read more about our organization at smartergrowth.net and view our Blueprint for a Better Region.

Your Role

The Fundraising & Events Manager is primarily responsible for managing CSG’s spring and fall fundraisers, End of Year Giving Campaign, corporate giving, and grants strategy.

The Fundraising & Events Manager will work towards advancing the following goals:

Increase donor cultivation and retention through well-executed events, campaigns, and sponsorships
Foster connections by organizing impactful events and outreach initiatives that raise awareness and expand support for the organization’s mission
Ensure operational efficiency by maintaining accurate donor records, streamlining administrative processes, and managing financial reconciliations
Increase positive awareness of CSG and build support for a full range of our programs and role within land use, transportation, and housing in the DC region

Your Responsibilities

The Development & Events Manager will work closely with the Comms Director and report to CSG’s Executive Director. Under the minimal supervision of CSG’s Executive Director, this position will:

Fundraising (50%)

Draft communications materials for prospective sponsors and donors, such as sponsorship prospectuses, emails, online sponsorship pages, and sponsor letters
Manage corporate fundraising initiatives including preparing spreadsheets, mail-merged solicitation letters, and other materials for spring and fall fundraising events
Identify and develop sponsorship opportunities, conduct sponsor research, cultivate donor relationships, track sponsorship commitments, and manage follow-up activities
Manage EveryAction donor database ensuring accuracy, completeness, and de-duplication of records
Run EveryAction queries and reports as needed
Generate invoices and acknowledgment letters for corporate and individual donors.
Manage grant tracking and reporting, updating application deadlines and records across systems
Coordinate with program team to gather narrative information, track grant application process and reporting deadlines, and assist with prospecting
Lead the End-of-Year Giving campaign: craft targeted email copy and social media appeals – in collaboration with the Comms Director – and personalized donor letters
Draft the annual report and coordinate with designers and printers for layout and production

Event Planning (30%)

Identify event locations, vendors, coordinate contracts, and establish budget
Manage vendors, staff, and volunteers to ensure a well-executed annual spring and fall fundraisers
Draft promotional emails and social media posts to maximize event attendance in collaboration with the Comms Director
Collaborate with donors to conceptualize and organize engaging events such as happy hours, coffee meetups, and house parties aimed at fostering community connections and supporting fundraising efforts
Assist policy staff with online/in-person educational events as needed (walking tours, webinars, etc)

Administrative (20%)

Process and record donations across databases, including checks, stock transfers, donor-advised funds, and grants.
Perform regular reconciliations, including biweekly donation reconciliation with the Finance Specialist and monthly credit card reconciliation.
Respond promptly to donor inquiries, ensuring a high level of professionalism and responsiveness
Manage transition from Dropbox to Google Shared Drive
Assist with communications and administrative tasks as necessary

Required Qualifications

Strong work ethic and commitment to CSG’s core values, mission and vision
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles
4-6 years of relevant experience in event planning and/or fundraising
Strong organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and deadlines
CRM experience, including managing contact lists, running reports, creating contribution forms, and sending email messages through an online messaging/advocacy software (EveryAction preferred)
Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and execute events, including managing logistics, vendors, and volunteers
Experience with donor relations, sponsorship outreach, grant writing, or managing fundraising campaigns or appeals

Preferred Qualifications

A working knowledge of local housing, transportation, and land use issues in the DC area
Understanding of nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement strategies, and grant tracking processes
Proficient in writing engaging and professional communications, such as emails, promotional materials, and donor correspondence

Compensation

This position is a non-exempt / hourly position with benefits. Salary range of $65,000-75,000, commensurate with experience and demonstrated outcomes.

Benefits

CSG, through its parent organization The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 73% employer paid for added dependents)
Short & Long Term Disability*
Group Term Life*
Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
FSA accounts (health & dependent)
403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
10 paid holidays
2 floating holidays
PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
Salary Continuation Leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
Paid Bereavement, Jury Duty and Military Service Training leave
Travel Expense Reimbursement
Hybrid work environment and Flexible Work Schedules
Professional Development support
Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.

Office Location

CSG has operated virtually since the pandemic and is evaluating options for shared office space we could secure once we deem it appropriate. Reasonable proximity to the D.C. region is advantageous. Periodic evening and weekend work is required and matched with reasonable flexibility during the week.

Application Process

Interested applicants should email jobs@smartergrowth.net with a resume, 2 relevant writing samples (e.g. event timelines, fundraising collateral, digital donation appeal, etc), and a paragraph answering the following question: Why do you want to work at CSG? How are your professional interests aligned with CSG’s mission and why do you want to focus your career on furthering it?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but priority will be given to candidates who apply by February 3, 2025.

If you are a good fit, CSG will reach out to you within 2 weeks of receiving your application. The following is what you can expect as part of our hiring process:

phone interview with Executive Director and a policy/advocacy manager
panel interview with the full team
writing exercise
reference check

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.