Events Manager – Fundraising & Community Engagement

Home of Guiding Hands•El Cajon, CA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

Home of Guiding Hands is seeking an experienced Events Manager to lead fundraising and community events that support their mission of improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This role involves more than just event planning; it requires working closely with donors, sponsors, volunteers, community partners, and the HGH Development team to create events that build relationships, increase community engagement, and generate support for programs. The position also plays an important role in donor stewardship and fundraising, including strengthening relationships after events, supporting donor acquisition and cultivation, and managing an assigned portfolio of donors and community partners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
2+ years of experience working in a Development department at a nonprofit organization
Experience with event planning, fundraising, donor relations, or community engagement
Strong organization and project management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication
Strong attention to detail
Comfortable with public speaking and interacting with donors and community partners
Proficient with Microsoft Office, Excel, technology platforms, and fundraising CRM systems
Ability to work independently while also being part of a collaborative team
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation

Nice To Haves

Someone who loves seeing an event come together from the first idea to the final guest leaving happy.
Comfortable managing budgets and vendors behind the scenes.
Equally comfortable being the face of HGH when working with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners.
Understands that a successful nonprofit event isn't just about putting on a great event. It's about creating relationships and experiences that make people want to stay connected to the mission.

Responsibilities

Plan and execute fundraising and community events from start to finish
Develop event strategies, goals, timelines, and budgets
Coordinate venues, vendors, suppliers, volunteers, and event logistics
Negotiate vendor services and review contracts
Develop and grow corporate sponsorship opportunities
Solicit in-kind donations for events
Coordinate event marketing, advertising, publicity, and collateral
Manage special event webpages
Recruit, train, and coordinate event volunteers
Work with community organizations and partners to develop outreach opportunities
Attend community and outreach events representing HGH
Help create meaningful experiences for donors, sponsors, volunteers, and guests
Strengthen relationships after events
Support donor acquisition and cultivation activities
Manage an assigned portfolio of donors and community partners