Fundraising Events Manager

The Fundraising Events Manager is a full-time, year-round position responsible for all fundraising events, campaigns and sponsorships at Findlay Market. They will plan and execute all fundraising events and campaigns, and will secure sponsorship dollars for events, programs and other Findlay Market initiatives. The Fundraising Events Manager has a regular schedule of Monday-Friday, with some weekend and evening hours.

Overview of Fundraising Events Manager

The Fundraising Events Manager is a full-time, year-round position responsible for all fundraising events, campaigns and sponsorships at Findlay Market. They will plan and execute all fundraising events and campaigns, and will secure sponsorship dollars for events, programs and other Findlay Market initiatives. The Fundraising Events Manager has a regular schedule of Monday-Friday, with some weekend and evening hours.

Fundraising Events Manager Role Description

The Fundraising Events Manager will raise money for vital Findlay Market initiatives and programs, market events, and general operating expenses, with a specific focus on securing funding through fundraising events, campaigns and sponsorships. 

The Fundraising Events Manager will work closely with the finance team to ensure all funds are tracked appropriately. They will also work closely with the communication team to help with crafting engaging calls to action, and to plan social media campaigns for fundraising events and campaigns.

The Fundraising Events Manager will work with the Event & Community Engagement Manager to recruit volunteers for fundraising initiatives.

The Fundraising Events Manager will work with all departments across the organization to plan and execute fundraising events and campaigns to raise money for vital programs such as Findlay Kitchen, Findlay Learn, Findlay Launch, and the Findlay Market Shopping App.

The Fundraising Events Manager will help create awareness among the general public that the Corporation for Findlay Market is a non-profit organization with many philanthropic endeavors through onsite fundraising campaigns.

The Fundraising Events Manager will have the following detailed responsibilities:

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Sponsorships & Corporate Partnerships
• Identify and secure sponsors for all Findlay Market programs, including but not limited to: Craft Beer Series, Music at the Market, Findlay Eats, Education Center, Holiday Season, Jane’s Bar, Race Street Station, and the Farmers Market.
• Identify and secure sponsors for all Findlay Market events, including but not limited to: Chili Fest, Valentine’s Day Sweet & Savory Stroll, Findlay Kitchen Tasting Event, Art & Poetry, Juneteenth, Night Market, National Farmers Market Week, Fall Food Festival, Trick or Treat, BLINK and Holiday Market.
• Build relationships with corporate partners, and manage all sponsorship benefits and needs, such as ensuring on-site set-up meets partner expectations, ensuring partner names and logos are on all necessary market collateral, etc.
• Coordinate corporate pop ups on site at Findlay Market
• Research, apply for and coordinate charitable brewery nights and other fundraising opportunities with local businesses and community partners
• Research and approach potential new corporate partners
• Create annual sponsorship opportunities guide to share with potential sponsors
• Flavor of Findlay
• Lead Development team in planning and execution of main annual fundraising event
• Create event budget, and track expenses and income to reach fundraising goal
• Work with communication team to create all event collateral and promotion plan
• Solicit and secure Flavor of Findlay sponsorships
• Overall responsibility for all aspects of event, from chef-merchant pairings to silent auction to equipment rentals and layout

• Christmas Tree Sale
• Plan and execute all aspects of annual Christmas tree sale, including ordering inventory, volunteer management, staffing and sales
• Create budget, and track expenses and income to reach fundraising goal
• Solicit and secure Christmas tree sale sponsorships
• Work with communication team to create all event collateral and promotion plan
• Track sales and inventory throughout the sale
• Act as primary onsite point person at Findlay Market throughout Christmas tree sale weekends

• Findlay Kitchen Fundraising Dinner(s)
• Work closely with the Findlay Kitchen team to plan dinner featuring Findlay Kitchen members to raise funds for Findlay Kitchen
• Work with communication team to create all event collateral and promotion plan
• Overall responsibility for all aspects of event, from vendor and menu selection to space layout, rental equipment, budgeting, setting and meeting financial goals

• Additional Fundraising Events
• Work across departments to plan one-off and recurring fundraising events and campaigns to raise money for various Findlay Market programs, including:
• Findlay Kitchen
• Findlay Learn
• Findlay Launch
• Education Center
• Shopping App
• Responsible for ideation, planning and execution of any new fundraising events to support CFFM’s fundraising goals
• Act as point person for fundraising collaborations with local businesses
• Work with the Event & Community Engagement Manager to add revenue generating component to all market events

• Fundraising Campaigns
• Plan and execute all Spring & Winter Fund Drives
• Create all solicitation materials for fundraising campaigns and initiatives
• Support Giving Tuesday/24-Hour Day of Giving Campaign
• Support ongoing Fundraising Brick campaign
• Support ongoing Friends of Findlay Market campaign
• Work with volunteers and merchants to have visible onsite fundraising presence to engage and educate shoppers
• Work with Market Center Associates to fully utilize Market Center space for ongoing in-person fundraising opportunities
• Donor Cultivation
• Qualify, develop and maintain year-round relationships with a portfolio of individual donors and prospects
• Support the planning and execution of annual donor recognition events
• Support general donor cultivation and recognition efforts
• Assist with Supporter Appreciation Month planning, and additional donor recognition efforts

• General Development Support
• Help to organize data, and research information to support grant applications and reporting, annual reports and donor communication
• Support management of donor database

• Management
• Responsible for direct supervision of Individual Giving & Grants Associate, as well as any Development interns and co-ops

Values, Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Skill and experience in event planning and execution, coordinating activities, evaluating data and establishing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to work in a proactively diverse and inclusive organization 
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment
• Proven track record of soliciting and receiving sponsorship dollars
• Excellent, proven interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to craft engaging calls to action and social media copy
• Effective problem-solving and mediation skills
• Demonstrated ability to share skills and knowledge with others
• Proficiency with office computer equipment and software
• Continual on the job learning is required
• Education – Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree required
• Experience – 4-5 years relevant non-profit work experience required
• Experience managing employees required
• Computer and technical skills – proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and online platforms (e.g. Google apps, MailChimp) is required
• Must be able to work some non-traditional hours, including evening and weekends
• Must be able to provide own transportation to and from work, and for work-related activities

Application Information

• Application: Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@findlaymarket.org

• Deadline to Apply: February 9, 2024

• Salary: $50,000

• Benefits: This is a year-round, full-time position with an attractive benefits package that includes: 4 weeks of PTO (5 weeks after 2 years; 6 weeks after 10 years), 9 paid holidays, paid parental leave, health insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, long-term disability), CFFM pays 85-90% of health insurance premiums, CFFM HSA contribution for those enrolled in medical insurance, partial cell phone reimbursement or work phone, work computer, discounted parking pass, Sabbatical Program after 5 years of service.

The Corporation for Findlay Market is an equal opportunity employer.