Annual Fund and Event Manager

Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring an Annual Fund and Event Manager to join our Development Team in Colorado. The Annual Fund and Event Manager will work to develop a multi-channel, donor-centric annual fund program, which includes donor societies, sponsorships, giving days, email communications, and collaboration with the Marketing and Communications department, as well as members of front-line fundraising teams. This position will require high collaboration, project management, motivation, and skill in creating and executing compelling annual giving strategies, developing content for both mail and email campaigns and planning prospecting and donor engagement events. The Annual Fund and Event Manager will work with and report directly to the Associate Director of Development Operations. This position will be involved in the growth and expansion of WRA’s donor base, generate leads for the major gifts team, achieve annual fund goals and contribute to the overall success of the development team goals.

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

This position has the option to work from WRA’s Boulder or Denver office, remotely from anywhere within the Boulder-Denver metro area, or a hybrid of the two. Travel to meetings, conferences, donor events, and other work-related events is required within WRA’s region. This is in addition to travel required for retreats, and other internal organizational meetings. Typically, there is at least one all-staff retreat and one Development Team retreat in our region each year at which attendance is required.

Responsibilities And Activities

ANNUAL GIVING

• Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual giving program that builds on a growing foundation of annual donors and activities.
• Execute strategies and tactics that include developing a calendar of activities, writing appeals, segmenting mailing lists, executing giving days, and planning events.
• Manage annual giving appeals and materials, which includes developing campaign themes, drafting content, working with the graphic designer, segmenting lists, and coordinating print and mailing.
• Create and automate programs and work closely with donor groups such as workplace giving, first-time donors, and recurring donors, incorporating appropriate stewardship and communication to influence moves management.
• Work with Donor Relations Officers and other development staff to integrate major gift donors as needed into annual giving and stewardship opportunities.
• Manage the sponsorship program, solicit renewals and new sponsorships solo and with other development or program staff, and track and manage benefits.
• Work closely with the marketing staff to integrate and execute digital engagement and giving
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward annual fund donors, and recommend qualified donors for moves management.
• Set goals, track, and analyze metrics to increase performance of direct mail, giving programs, including retention, increased giving, and acquisition of new donors.
• Recommend and track a budget for annual giving program.
• Input appropriate information in Raiser’s Edge donor database, update constituent records to maintain data health and actions, and extract data as needed.
• Support the fundraising goals and mission of the organization.
• Stay abreast of industry standards and best practices to guide annual giving program.

EVENT COORDINATION

• Plan and execute new and existing stewardship and cultivation events for annual fund and major gift donors.
• Work with internal stakeholders and vendors to create seamless execution of events.
• Manage events calendar for Development Team
• Maintain accurate records and reporting on event metrics including tracking attendance, ROI and budget.
• Stay abreast of industry standards and best practices fundraising event planning.

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered. For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• Three or more years of experience working with donors or external stakeholders and considerable knowledge of annual giving best practices.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing fundraising events.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and connect with diverse audiences.
• Ability to communicate technical content to non-technical audiences.
• Project management skills with the ability to adapt quickly.
• Coordination, collaboration, and creativity in daily work
• Proficient writing and editing skills.
• Well versed in direct mail and digital solicitation best practices and implementation.
• Demonstrated track record of developing and executing successful annual fundraising strategies.
• Interest in and growing knowledge of best practices in fundraising and fundraising events
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Preferred experience in donor database (not required)

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $58,000-$70,000 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Colorado staff receive a RTD EcoPass. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, May 13, 2024.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Apply To Be WRA’s Annual Fund and Event Manager!

Thank you for your interest in the Annual Fund and Event Manager position with Western Resource Advocates. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in WRA and this position; and
• Resume.

Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.