Engagement Specialist

THE ORGANIZATION:

Started in 2012, Volare (formerly Network for Victim Recovery of DC) creates equitable healing and dignified experiences for survivors of crime. We provide free, trauma-informed advocacy, therapeutic, and legal services in conjunction with strategic litigation, policy advocacy, and education to transform existing responses to harm.

THE POSITION:

Volare seeks a full-time Engagement Specialist to help grow and strengthen our community of donors, volunteers, corporate partners, and supporters. This individual will play a key role in identifying, developing, and executing fundraising and engagement opportunities that increase financial support for Volare's mission.

The ideal candidate is a natural connector, community builder, and self-starter who thrives on creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. They bring energy, creativity, and strong personal presence to every interaction, whether engaging a major donor, recruiting volunteers, cultivating corporate partners, or representing Volare in the community.

This is not a position for someone who prefers to simply maintain existing systems. We are looking for someone who enjoys building, experimenting, and taking initiative. The successful candidate will consistently identify new opportunities for engagement, propose fresh ideas, and independently move projects from concept to completion.

They are comfortable being the face of Volare in many settings and possess the charisma, confidence, and emotional intelligence necessary to inspire others to get involved in our mission. They are equally energized by relationship-building, event execution, and fundraising strategy, and they take ownership of results.

This position reports to Volare's Head of Engagement and works collaboratively with the Engagement Team and across Volare's service domains.

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), FLSA exempt, at-will position with an annual compensation of $58,000-$75,000. Volare offers a competitive benefits package for paid time off, contribution for the cost of health care coverage, company paid basic life insurance policy, paid federal holidays, retirement plan options with up to a 3% match and vesting after one year, and professional development. This position is anticipated to begin as soon as possible.

POSITION PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Fundraising & Donor Engagement
  • Cultivate, steward, and expand relationships with individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, volunteers, and community supporters.
  • Proactively identify and pursue new fundraising, sponsorship, partnership, and engagement opportunities that increase support for Volare's mission.
  • Generate and implement creative ideas for donor cultivation, fundraising campaigns, volunteer engagement, corporate partnerships, and community outreach.
  • Serve as a visible ambassador for Volare, building relationships and representing the organization at meetings, networking events, community gatherings, and fundraising activities.
  • Develop compelling opportunities for donors, volunteers, and partners to deepen their involvement with Volare.
  • Support donor stewardship efforts through personalized outreach, thoughtful relationship management, and timely follow-up.
• Events & Volunteer Engagement
  • Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events, donor cultivation events, volunteer activities, and corporate service projects from concept through completion.
  • Create engaging experiences that strengthen relationships, inspire participation, and increase support for Volare.
  • Manage and grow Volare's Volunteer Program, including recruitment, onboarding, engagement, recognition, and retention efforts.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with corporate volunteer groups, community organizations, and strategic partners.
  • Identify new opportunities to expand volunteer participation and community engagement.
• Operations & Reporting
  • Maintain accurate donor, volunteer, event, and partnership records within Volare's CRM and related systems.
  • Ensure the timely execution of donor acknowledgments, event logistics, communications, and reporting.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports related to fundraising, volunteer engagement, donor activity, and partnership development.
  • Support the preparation of fundraising materials, engagement strategies, and board-facing resources.
  • Take ownership of projects and initiatives, independently managing priorities and driving work forward with limited oversight.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

We are less concerned with traditional nonprofit credentials than we are with finding a highly motivated, relationship-driven individual who consistently takes initiative, creates opportunities, and inspires others to engage.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Experience planning and executing events from concept through completion, including stakeholder engagement, logistics management, and attendee experience.
• Demonstrated success building relationships, generating opportunities, and engaging stakeholders through fundraising, sales, business development, event management, community engagement, customer relations, partnerships, or similar work.
• A natural relationship-builder with exceptional interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to connect authentically with diverse audiences.
• Strong executive presence, confidence, and professional charisma when engaging donors, volunteers, community partners, board members, and colleagues.
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness, with a track record of identifying opportunities and independently moving projects forward.
• Ability to generate ideas and translate them into action, balancing innovation with strong execution.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining professionalism, responsiveness, and high-quality work.
• Comfort learning and utilizing technology systems, including donor CRMs, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and related platforms.
• A reputation for integrity, dependability, sound judgment, and personal accountability.

Preferred

• Experience meeting fundraising, sponsorship, business development, sales, or revenue-generation goals.
• Experience cultivating donor, client, customer, sponsor, or stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working in nonprofit organizations.
• Knowledge of victim services and/or experience working alongside marginalized communities and crime victims.
• Experience serving as a public-facing representative, spokesperson, or ambassador for an organization, brand, or cause.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants upon request. Auxiliary aids and services are available in alternative formats.

Compliance with partner/affiliate policy may be required to fulfill core duties detailed in your job description. Such partners/affiliates may include but are not limited to District and Federal Court systems, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Metropolitan Police Department, DCFNE and the like. Such directives may include but are not limited to use of personal protective equipment, health testing such as Tuberculosis screening, flu and COVID vaccine requirements, and other directives as determined by Volare’s Chief Executive Officer when necessary to keep staff, clients, and partners safe and healthy.

It is anticipated that this position will require a hybrid of in person work at the Volare office, in court, at the hospital, on-scene, at outreach events, staff meetings, trainings, fundraising events, partnership meetings, or other locations and telework.

Additionally, this position requires residency within the DC region as defined by the ability to consistently respond in person as part of the core job function of this role.