Annual Giving and Events Coordinator

: An exciting new opportunity to join the Sweetser development team!! Sweetser's seeks an energetic Annual Giving & Events Coordinator to join the growing Public Relations & Advancement Team to support the organization's fundraising and event goals.

This role grows, manages, and retains donors to advance our organizational mission to bring mental health and substance use recovery services to more Maine adults, children, and families in need. This Saco-based position is responsible for creating and executing various strategies to build a pipeline for new donors including planning our annual appeal campaigns. This role will also be responsible for organizing small scale events and community-based fundraising efforts through business partnerships. This individual must be able to meet annual individual and team fundraising goals and work well in a team environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Development

• Provides consistent, donor-centered cultivation and solicitation.
• Creates and maintains donor relationships through thoughtful correspondence, recognition, stewardship, and communication activities to build lasting connections.
• Conducts prospecting research to identify potential donor targets and proactively grow donor base.
• Manages donor thank you correspondence with phone calls, handwritten cards, and other ongoing engagement and communication.
• Plans & implements annual appeal campaigns.
• Enhances and leads legacy giving program based on industry best practices.
• Responsible for hitting annual fundraising metrics both individually and as a team.
• Provide drafting, editing, and administrative support for departmental projects and committees as needed.
• Continue learning and professional growth, staying abreast of development and fundraising trends and principles.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of Sweetser's programs, services, mission, and fundraising priorities.

  Event Planning

• Plan & organize at least two small scale fundraising events.
• Plan & organize community fundraisers at area restaurants and businesses.
• Assist with the planning and logistical aspects of large-scale fundraising events including setup, tear down, check ins, and other needs as required throughout the event process.
• Responsible for helping to solicit and pick up donated items for fundraising events.
• Assist with the coordination of philanthropic activities that benefit Sweetser clients including our annual holiday gift program.

Community Outreach

• Creates a statewide outreach event calendar to highlight Sweetser programs and services. Events can include but are not limited to community festivals, corporate business events, conferences, speaking engagements, and other tabling opportunities.
• Ensure proper staffing or volunteer needs at community events.
• Represent Sweetser at community events when other staffing or volunteer needs are not met.
• Follow-up for all community events to determine success, impact, and explore possible donor pipeline opportunities.

EDUCATION: • High school diploma required; associates/bachelor preferred

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: • Valid driver's license.

EXPERIENCE:

• 3-5 years of fundraising, development, or event planning experience preferred or equivalent experience
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, articulate organizational objectives and development goals, and work collaboratively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, database/CRM

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: • Above average organizational skills. • Demonstrated ability to work independently. • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations. • Demonstrated experience working in fast-paced development office environment. • Proficient in providing oral presentations and strong written communication skills.