Corporate and Events Specialist

Position Title:      Corporate and Events Specialist

Classification:     Non-Exempt

Reports To:          Senior Development Manager 

Location:             Grand Junction

Compensation:   $24.20 per hour 

Benefits:              Medical, dental, and vision, a 401(k) retirement plan with a 4.5% company match plus potential additional matching based on tenure, PTO, paid sick leave, paid holidays, and a flexible schedule

As one of the largest Food Banks in the United States, Food Bank of the Rockies is passionate about ensuring every community member has the resources they need to thrive. Supporting our Colorado and Wyoming communities begins with passionate, mission-driven individuals. 

The Corporate and Events Specialist is responsible for engaging and soliciting four to five-figure gifts through corporate support, expanding the volunteer program and overseeing events strategy for Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center. This role plays a critical role in project management for various aspects of the Development team and leading efforts to solicit engagement, volunteer recruitment, and support from the broader community. The Corporate and Events Coordinator will manage a portfolio of donors to support fundraising goals and inform strategy of how to enhance the corporate giving pipeline. Additionally, this position will be managing all aspects of event planning, vendor management and logistics.

If you are looking for a mission-focused organization where innovation and teamwork are encouraged and new ideas are valued, then this is an ideal position for you.

Food Bank’s team is dedicated to creating an efficient food distribution network to eliminate hunger.  Staff is committed to embodying the organizational values and mission in all activities.  

Mission: We ignite the power of community to nourish people facing hunger

Values: Service; Integrity; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Collaboration; Innovation

Primary Responsibilities:

Corporate Partnerships and Fundraising

• Qualify, cultivate, and solicit a dynamic portfolio of approximately 30 companies, small businesses, and volunteers with a focus on growing and retaining support, and meeting both annual revenue and donor engagement goals
• Work with the Senior Development Manager to enhance the association and corporate engagement programs for increased donor engagement and revenue
• Collaborate with the Senior Development Manager and Community Relations Coordinator to develop and maintain a strategy to actively solicit corporate and group volunteer participation, including seeking shift sponsorships and event sponsorships
• Assist with the planning and execution of engagement of corporate partner prospects who are not in a portfolio, including assisting with solicitations
• Solicit corporate in-kind requests for events and the volunteer program 
• Work in partnership with the Senior Development Manager to develop and expand tracking and stewardship of external workplace giving campaigns and corporate matching gift programs

Events

• Lead Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope internal and signature fundraising events
• Create and maintain budgets for fundraising, cultivation, and outreach events 
• Work with the Senior Development Manager to manage and implement sponsorship and recognition strategies for event/corporate donors; ensure deliverables for supporters are met.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders across teams to ensure successful outcomes
• Works closely with the Marketing & Communications team on event and promotional materials and supports strategy and manages deadlines for collaborative projects.
• Evaluates, researches, and develops Food Bank of the Rockies event strategy while successfully executing and enhancing existing events. 
• Responsible for event logistics and design, including orchestrating seamless vendor coordination, space transformation among other crucial event elements.
• Works closely with the Finance department to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations when handling financial or in-kind donations

Food Drive and In-kind Donation Management

• In partnership with the Community Relations Coordinator, support and expand Food Bank of the Rockies virtual and in-person physical food drives and meal-packing event programs
• Ensure effective cultivation and stewardship of donor relationships through timely communication, personalized emails or letters of appreciation to enhance engagement and support for the cause
• Prepare reports, track metrics, and analyze data to measure program effectiveness

Community and Volunteer Engagement

• In partnership with the Senior Development Manager, oversee strategy for maintaining and growing the volunteer program 
• Lead outreach efforts including community lunch and learns, workshops, third-party events, and meetings, representing the Food Bank of the Rockies to encourage volunteerism, engage new audiences, and expand the volunteer pool
• Work alongside the Community Relations Coordinator to schedule incoming group individual volunteers
• Monitor the events and volunteer calendar for key partner activities and coordinate team and leadership activities
• Represent Food Bank of the Rockies in a professional manner at external speaking engagements 

Administrative Support:

• Assist in the activation and implementation of various projects within the Western Slope Development team, including executing the cultivation and stewardship plans for corporate and in-kind donors and volunteers
• Lead and coordinate efforts at various sites to local third-party and community events 
• Work with the Data Development Systems team to conduct industry research, identifying potential new partner opportunities
• Coordinate preparation and follow-up for team meetings including conducting basic prospect and donor research, drafting agendas and briefing documents, taking meeting minutes, and preparing takeaway materials and follow-up correspondence 
• Responsible for maintaining accurate corporate data in Raiser’s Edge/NXT database and creating reports in volunteer management software
• Handle confidential information with discretion and care, ensuring the privacy and respect of employees, volunteers, partners, donors, or others

Performance will be measured by:

• Qualification and disqualification of prospects, including proper documentation
• Achieving overall agreed-upon revenue goal based on corporate donor goals and strategic priorities of the organization
• Retaining and upgrading donors, including cultivation of transformational gifts. 
• Development of personalized engagement and solicitation plans that take into account philanthropic interests of community groups and corporate philanthropic priorities
• Securing project and organization information to write effective and compelling proposals, regular and timely impact reports back to donors, and other communications
• Creating accurate and timely progress reports that reflect portfolio performance
• Meeting agreed-upon goals of retention and growth of the volunteer program
• Effectively managing people, process, deadlines, and budget while adhering to the policies and procedures of the organization
• Effectively collaborating with peers, colleagues, and management, including maintaining a positive and constructive attitude, being a team player, and advancing the mission, goals, and values of Food Bank of the Rockies

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Commitment to fulfilling the Food Bank of the Rockies mission and positively representing the brand both internally and externally 
• Commitment to excellence and efficiency, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively to create solutions within a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment 
• Exemplary project management skills
• Excellent organizational, time management, and follow-through skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including comfort speaking in both small-group and large-group settings 
• Ability to exercise professionalism and discretion when dealing with confidential information 
• Team player with a positive attitude 
• Knowledge of effective relationship-based fundraising techniques and practices for promotions/cause-marketing, events, and corporate partnerships a plus

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Qualifications:

Expected Hours of Work:

This is a non-exempt, full-time position working approximately 40 hours per week.  Work schedules may vary each week and consist of weekdays, evenings, and Saturdays and should maintain Food Bank of the Rockies core hours of 9am – 3pm. A flexible work schedule is available with the option to work remotely from Colorado or Wyoming. In-person work is required a minimum of four (4) days per week, or more often based on organizational need. 

Compensation:

$24.20 per hour

Benefits:

At Food Bank of the Rockies, we provide a fulfilling workplace along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Generous Paid Time Off: Flexible paid time off, including 10 paid holidays, sick leave, parental leave, and opportunities for paid volunteer time.
• Robust Retirement Plan: A 401(k) retirement plan with a 4.5% employer match, plus additional matching based on tenure for a total potential match of up to 8.5%, to support your long-term financial security.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Competitive health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans to support your meet your and your family’s needs.
• Bilingual Incentive: A monthly incentive for certified bilingual staff, recognizing and rewarding your valuable language skills.  

To Apply:

Apply online through www.foodbankrockies.org/careers. Applications will be accepted until March 7, 2025.

Thinking about applying?

True passion and excitement for making an impact are just as important as work experience. 

We encourage you to apply even if you feel you don't check every box in this posting.

Food Bank of the Rockies is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), M/F/D/V/SO. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities in order to participate in the application or interview process. If you require any accommodation, please contact us at hr@foodbankrockies.org or 303.371.9250.