Development Coordinator

Signal Centers; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, vision and dental coverage

401(k) with employer match

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Signal Centers in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a Development Coordinator to lead signature fundraising events and strengthen donor relationships. You will manage event logistics, budgets, sponsorships, vendors, and communications under the Chief Development Officer.

The role also supports donor cultivation, stewardship, campaigns, and prospect research, maintaining accurate records in the donor database, and collaborating with marketing to promote events and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Event Management, Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management).
• 2+ years in event planning, fundraising, nonprofit development, hospitality, or project coordination.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute major fundraising and engagement events.
• Develop event timelines, budgets, sponsorship strategies, and logistics plans.
• Coordinate vendors, venues, committees, volunteers, and internal teams.
• Support auction procurement and sponsor engagement.
• Track event revenue and expenses and prepare post-event summaries.
• Assist donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising campaigns.
• Maintain accurate donor and event records in the database.
• Collaborate with marketing/communications to promote events.

Skills

Event planning

Fundraising

Nonprofit development

Hospitality

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management

Tools

Canva

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Brief Description

The Development Coordinator supports the organization’s fundraising and engagement efforts, with a primary focus on planning and executing signature events and strengthening relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners. Under the leadership of the CDO, this role coordinates event logistics, sponsorships, vendors, budgets, communications, and post-event reporting while providing support for donor cultivation, stewardship, fundraising campaigns, and prospect research. The Development Coordinator ensures events and development activities are well-organized, financially accountable, and aligned with the organization’s mission and goals.

Core Values/Ethical Conduct

• The ability to model the organization’s Core Values of Accountability, Community Impact, Compassion, Trustworthiness, and Teamwork.
• The ability to interact with donors, clients, staff, partners, volunteers, and funders with respect, professionalism, honesty, and fairness.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity in all donors, financial, and organizational matters.
• The ability to use organizational resources, funds, information, and time responsibly and wisely.
• The ability to follow organizational policies and ethical fundraising practices and avoid conflicts of interest.
• The ability to embrace innovation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving while remaining accountable for decisions and actions.
• The ability to represent the organization and its mission accurately, professionally, and ethically.

Key Responsibilities

Signature Event Leadership

• Planning and execution of major fundraising and engagement events, including signature events, donor experiences, and community gatherings under the leadership of the CDO.
• Develop event timelines, budgets, sponsorship strategies, and logistics plans.
• Coordinate vendors, venues, committees, volunteers, and internal teams.
• Support auction procurement and sponsor engagement connected to events.
• Track event revenue and expenses and prepare post-event summaries.
• Ensuring events create meaningful connections between donors, partners, and mission impact.

Development & Fundraising Support

• Assist with donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement activities.
• Support fundraising campaigns by preparing donor communication, acknowledgments, and event sponsorship materials.
• Maintain accurate donor and event records within the organization's database.
• Assist with tracking sponsorships, donations, event revenue, and related reporting metrics.
• Assist in identifying and researching prospective donors, sponsors, and community partners.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and correspondence related to development activities.
• Maintain organized records of event budgets, contracts, invoices, and vendor agreements.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to promote events through digital and print channels.

Relationship Management

• Build positive relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and community partners.
• Provide exceptional customer service to event attendees and stakeholders.
• Represent the organization professionally at events and community functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in event planning, fundraising, nonprofit development, hospitality, or project coordination.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• Working knowledge of Canva and email marketing software required.
• Proficiency in Raisers Edge a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.

Working Here

We believe in supporting our employees and their families as they journey throughout life. Our commitment to our full-time staff includes the following benefits:

• A competitive benefits package with health, vision, and dental coverage, HSA, Dependent Care FSA, group life insurance, Teladoc (telemedicine), EAP mental health resources, and short & long-term disability options.
• Up to 4% matching 401(k) employer contribution, plus a 3% base contribution.
• Generous paid time off to support work-life balance.
• Employee discounts on paid services.

Our culture is important and we’ve included it in our strategic plan by creating goals which include creating a culture of belonging where everyone has what they need to succeed and thrive and investing in developing the next generation of leaders. Join us in our mission to create a community of lifelong independence, where your contributions are valued, and your professional growth is nurtured. Together, we can make a difference.

Signal Centers is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to affirm the dignity and worth of every person in all that we do. It is, therefore, the policy of the organization to practice and ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all employees and to promote the full realization of this policy through all employment practices.