Manager of Fundraising & Strategic Events

TITLE: Manager of Fundraising & Strategic Events

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

HOURS: Full-time

RESPONSIBLE TO: Sr. Director of Development

DIRECT REPORTS: None

LOCATION: Chicago, IL 60604

SALARY: $50,000 - $55,000 per year, paid bi-weekly

Mission

Depaul USA supports homeless and marginalized people, providing people experiencing homelessness with purpose and hope for a positive future. Our vision is that everyone has a place to call home and a stake in his or her community. In cities across the nation, we meet people where they are to address their needs. Through a combination of homelessness services and housing, Depaul USA is innovating and bringing real solutions to those facing homelessness.

Depaul USA Is a Growing, National, Not-for-profit Organization That Serves More Than 6,200 People Annually And Has a Combined Operating And Capital Budget In Excess Of $11.6 Million. Our Vincentian Values Underpin What We Do

• We celebrate the potential of people;
• We put our words into action;
• We aim to take a wider role in civil society; and
• We believe in rights and responsibilities.
  
  

Please visit www.depaulusa.org to learn more.

Depaul USA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, and we are firmly committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment for all employees. If you need reasonable accommodation in any part of the hiring process, please let us know.

Position Description

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Development, the Manager of Fundraising & Strategic Events will lead the planning and execution of local fundraising events and oversee key organizational communications. This role will focus primarily on event strategy, logistics, and donor outreach while ensuring aligned communication efforts that enhance fundraising and public engagement.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

Essential Functions:Events & Fundraising (70%)

• Oversee event strategy for all local fundraising events, including logistics, budgeting, vendor management, sponsorship outreach, marketing efforts, and silent/live auction support.
• Support local city fundraising events by coordinating with city directors and ensuring consistency in branding, messaging, and execution.
• Oversee event committee meetings, providing guidance on goal setting, volunteer recruitment, and donor engagement strategies.
• Manage event registration platforms and donation pages, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees and sponsors.
• Collaborate with development teams to integrate donor engagement efforts into event planning.
• Oversee donor acknowledgments related to events, including followups, thankyou letters, and sponsorship benefits fulfillment.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for eventrelated inquiries, oversee the recruitment and training of event volunteers, and ensure donor and sponsor needs are met.
• Coordinate with the finance team to ensure proper gift processing, donation tracking, and reconciliation related to event fundraising.
  
  

Communications & Marketing (30%)

• Gather and document compelling client stories to highlight the impact of our programs, supporting fundraising, marketing, and advocacy efforts.
• Manage all eventrelated communications, including press releases, social media campaigns, promotional materials, and outreach to media partners.
• Oversee eventrelated website updates and content, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of information.
• Coordinate with external vendors for design, printing, and production of eventrelated materials.
• Maintain media relationships and seek opportunities for press coverage of events and organizational initiatives.
• Support the annual appeal mailings by assisting in content creation and donor engagement strategies.
• Assist in developing donor and sponsorship materials that align with the organization’s branding and fundraising goals.
• Draft and design the annual report to highlight key achievements and ensure it looks professional.
• Oversee graphic design projects for other reports.
• Coordinate social media efforts with local programs, executive, and development teams to create and share engaging content that highlights events, reports and key initiatives.
  
  

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities:Events & Fundraising

• Track event performance metrics (attendance, funds raised, sponsorship impact) and provide reports to the Sr. Director of Development.
• Ensure proper acknowledgment of sponsors and donors before, during, and after events (e.g., signage, website mentions, postevent reports).
• Maintain an event marketing calendar to ensure promotions (email, social media, press releases) are timely and strategic.
  
  

Communications & Marketing

• Create content calendars for event promotions, including countdown campaigns, live updates, and postevent engagement.
• Coordinate photo/video coverage at events for future marketing and fundraising use.
• Develop compelling donor and participant stories for event marketing materials and presentations.
  
  

General Responsibilities

• Adhere to all quality assurance policies and procedures.
• Stay informed of current local and national events, trends, and issues, that impact Depaul USA’s work with homeless individuals.
• Strive continuously to develop the role in collaboration with the supervisor to ensure that all tasks are being undertaken in an effective and appropriate manner, meeting the strategic goals and objectives of Depaul USA.
• Participate in internal/external meetings as required, attends training events, conferences, and other functions as necessary.
• Participate in regular supervision and annual evaluations, identifying his or her own developmental and training needs.
• Ensure adherence to all Depaul USA policies and procedures, particularly those relating to Health and Safety, Safeguarding and the Code of Practice and Confidentiality.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of Depaul USA’s Equal Opportunities Policy as it affects both the organization and its work with this client group.
• Undertake the role in a professional manner maintaining a highquality standard of work, in accordance with the Vision, Mission and Values of Depaul USA.
  
  

Qualifications

• Minimum of 35 years of experience in event planning, fundraising, communications, or marketing.
• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field; Master’s preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Canva, and event management software preferred.
• Experience executing largescale events and fundraising campaigns with measurable success.
• Strong writing, content development, and social media marketing skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fastpaced environment.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of donor databases and CRM platforms is a plus.
  
  

Work Schedule:

• Location: Based in the Downtown Chicago Executive Office.
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST. Occasional weekend and evening work may be required.
• Travel: Approximately 15% to 25% of travel is required for this role.
  
  

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage options for the employee and eligible dependents.
• Company provided Basic Life/AD&D & Short/Long Term disability policies.
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer match.
• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal leave and 10 Observed holidays.
  
  

Background Checks:

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed as part of the hiring process. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect application status or applicants’ employment status.

Declaration

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Depaul USA and management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Depaul USA is an equal opportunity employer and affords equal opportunity to all applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under local, state or federal laws.

Thank you for considering Depaul USA! To apply, please submit your resume.

Deadline: Until Filled To Apply: https://jobs.appone.com/DepaulUSA