Development Coordinator

Sherwood Center for the Exceptional Child•Kansas City, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Sherwood Center for the Exceptional Child is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented Development Coordinator to provide essential operational and administrative support to the agency's fundraising and donor engagement efforts. This role is responsible for the details that turn development strategy into strong donor relationships and successful events from donor database management and gift processing to sponsorship fulfillment, event logistics, stewardship communications, and volunteer coordination. This is an opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, brings order to complexity, anticipates needs before they arise, and takes pride in seamless execution. Through exceptional organization, proactive communication, and meticulous attention to detail, the Development Coordinator helps create donor and volunteer experiences that reflect Sherwood's mission and inspire continued investment in the children and families it serves.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, or a related discipline preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of three years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising operations, event management, project coordination, marketing, or a related field.
Experience with donor databases and fundraising/event management software (e.g., Neon, Raiser's Edge, OneCause, or similar CRM platforms).
Demonstrated experience in volunteer management and social media management.
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
Demonstrated success coordinating complex events and managing detailed logistics.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with tact and diplomacy.
High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and follow-through; ability to work independently.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment regarding donor, client, and agency information.
Collaborative team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude and a commitment to excellence.
Passion for Sherwood's mission and a commitment to creating exceptional donor and volunteer experiences.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of fundraising events.
Reliable transportation and the ability to pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

Adapts quickly and effectively to new environments, people, and responsibilities; readily adapts to stressful situations and factors outside their control.
Expresses views constructively, clearly, and with confidence; listens openly; shows tact and diplomacy; is succinct, recognizing time is valuable for all.
Understands the importance of accurate documentation; efficiently navigates donor and event databases and completes documentation in a timely manner.
Works effectively with peers, donors, volunteers, board members, and community partners to meet shared goals; builds networks and cooperation, using a strengths-based, person-centered lens consistent with Sherwood's values.
Identifies key issues relevant to long-term goals; thinks through problems and selects appropriate courses of action.
Even-tempered under pressure; maintains a positive attitude despite stress and approaching deadlines.
Understands fiscal responsibility and the impact of budget performance on operations; monitors and tracks expenses appropriately.
Properly maintains the privacy of donors, families, and staff, and adapts readily to procedures that protect confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day operational and administrative support to the Development function.
Coordinate multiple fundraising projects and initiatives by managing timelines, tracking deliverables, following up on action items, and ensuring deadlines are consistently met.
Receive, process, and reconcile incoming charitable contributions, pledges, sponsorships, matching gifts, tax credits, and in-kind donations.
Maintain the accuracy and integrity of donor records within the organization's CRM/donor database, ensuring timely and accurate gift entry, documentation, and record management.
Prepare monthly or as-needed donor and gift reports to ensure accurate donation information for Finance/QuickBooks reconciliation.
Generate donor reports, mailing lists, dashboards, fundraising metrics, and weekly donation reports to support strategic decision-making.
Prepare and process donor acknowledgment letters, tax receipts, stewardship communications, gratitude outreach, and other donor recognition activities in a timely manner.
Maintain organized electronic files, templates, contracts, and departmental records.
Coordinate sponsorship fulfillment from commitment through post-event stewardship, including agreements, invoicing, payment collection, benefit fulfillment, recognition, and follow-up.
Prepare donor proposals, stewardship packets, impact reports, and meeting materials.
Support donor research, prospect tracking, moves management, and stewardship activities.
Track and acknowledge in-kind donations and ensure appropriate recognition.
Coordinate the planning and execution of fundraising events, donor experiences, and community engagement activities.
Manage guest registration, RSVPs, seating charts, table assignments, event communications, and attendee experience.
Coordinate vendor communications, contracts, invoices, payments, room layouts, signage, registration materials, catering, décor, and other event logistics.
Support fundraising committees through scheduling, agendas, meeting materials, and follow-up.
Assist with donor cultivation events and volunteer engagement activities.
Serve as the primary staff point of contact for event logistics, ensuring seamless execution before, during, and after fundraising events, including on event day.
Serve as the primary staff liaison and administrator for the agency's auction/event platform (e.g., OneCause or similar), managing system setup, registration, auction configuration, reporting, and event execution.
Coordinate procurement, solicitation, cataloging, photography, descriptions, packaging, storage, display, transportation, and pickup of auction items.
Build and maintain auction listings, sponsorship information, guest registration, and event platform content.
Coordinate auction logistics, checkout preparation, reconciliation, and post-event reporting.
Track sponsorship revenue, event expenses, invoices, outstanding balances, and payments.
Partner with Finance to reconcile fundraising activities, event revenue, and donor contributions.
Assist with departmental budget tracking and financial reporting.
Identify the agency's volunteer needs for facility and event support and create strategies to fill those needs effectively.
Solicit, secure, and train volunteers from area businesses, faith groups, staff, and other organizations, including representing Sherwood at volunteer fairs and community events.
Communicate volunteer plans and accomplishments to agency leadership and acknowledge volunteer contributions.
Track volunteer hours and contact information in the donor/volunteer database.
Provide exceptional customer service to donors, volunteers, sponsors, board members, vendors, and community partners, representing Sherwood with professionalism, warmth, and responsiveness.
Identify appropriate social media platforms for the agency and manage content using platform best practices.
Regularly review and update the agency website; using analytics tools, monitor website traffic and develop strategies to increase engagement.
Create and implement a website management calendar, including monitoring and updating employment opportunities, curated resources, and photos/videos.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Development function and agency mission.