Development & Partnerships Coordinator

CT Network for Children & Youth • Wethersfield, CT

2d

About The Position

The Connecticut Network for Children and Youth (The Network), a statewide intermediary and advocacy organization, seeks an experienced and collaborative development professional to establish and lead a coordinated fundraising, partnership, and sponsorship program. The position supports the organization’s financial sustainability by cultivating philanthropic and corporate relationships, developing grant proposals, securing sponsorships, and building systems for diversified revenue. Working with Network staff, the coordinator will connect the organization’s mission, strategic priorities, and statewide impact to compelling opportunities for investment and partnership. The role is part-time, 20–25 hours per week, with hours that may vary and travel to meetings throughout Connecticut. It is based in Wethersfield, Connecticut, and reports to the Executive Director.

The work includes grant development and institutional fundraising (40%); sponsorship development and strategic partnerships (30%); development infrastructure and stewardship (20%); and exploration of future fundraising initiatives (10%). The coordinator will support preliminary sponsorship and partnership work for the proposed Keep the Lights On Music Festival, while keeping exploratory initiatives secondary to ongoing fundraising priorities.

The position offers the opportunity to build and shape a development program for a statewide nonprofit and contribute to partnerships and systems-level change supporting children, youth, families, and out-of-school-time professionals. The role is classified as part-time/exempt. The anticipated start date is December 1, 2026, and the position remains open until filled.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, youth development, recreation, grant writing and/or development, or a related field; relevant experience is also referenced as an education option in the job information.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, corporate partnerships, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience securing grants, sponsorships, or other contributed revenue.
• Strong grant writing and proposal development skills.
• Experience cultivating and maintaining relationships with funders, donors, or corporate partners.
• Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, and manage multiple funding opportunities.
• Familiarity with development databases and fundraising tracking systems.
• Commitment to equitable access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning opportunities.

Nice To Haves

• Experience establishing or expanding a nonprofit development program.
• Knowledge of Connecticut’s philanthropic and corporate communities.
• Experience developing corporate sponsorship programs.
• Familiarity with youth development, education, workforce development, or statewide intermediary organizations.
• Experience with nonprofit fundraising campaigns and revenue diversification.
• Demonstrated success securing multi-year funding commitments.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate prospective foundation, corporate, and institutional funders.
• Research grant opportunities aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities.
• Develop grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and funding requests.
• Coordinate proposal budgets, outcomes, and supporting materials with Network staff.
• Establish and maintain an annual grants calendar; support renewals, reporting, and funder stewardship.
• Identify opportunities for multi-year and unrestricted funding.
• Develop and implement a coordinated corporate sponsorship strategy.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure corporate and community sponsorships.
• Create sponsorship packages and partnership proposals.
• Build relationships with Connecticut businesses and employers whose priorities align with education, youth development, workforce development, and STEM.
• Establish opportunities for recurring and multi-year corporate support.
• Manage sponsor agreements, recognition commitments, and stewardship, coordinating sponsor-facing materials and recognition with communications staff.
• Establish a comprehensive development plan and annual fundraising goals.
• Create and maintain a donor, funder, and sponsorship prospect database.
• Develop systems for prospect research, outreach, cultivation, acknowledgment, and renewal.
• Maintain accurate records of funding opportunities, commitments, and relationship histories.
• Track development activity and progress toward organizational goals; prepare monthly pipeline reports and quarterly summaries.
• Collaborate with finance staff on revenue tracking and reporting.
• Support executive leadership in identifying and prioritizing major funding relationships.
• Explore fundraising opportunities aligned with the organization’s mission.
• Support preliminary sponsorship and partnership development for the proposed Keep the Lights On Music Festival.
• Identify potential founding sponsors and community partners, and contribute to preliminary financial feasibility assessments and fundraising benchmarks.
• Recommend future fundraising opportunities based on organizational capacity and anticipated return, ensuring exploratory initiatives remain secondary to ongoing fundraising priorities.

Benefits

• Employee benefits and paid leave consistent with CTNCY policies and eligibility requirements.
• Health and dental benefits.
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with employer match.
• Mileage reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level