Donor Event Planner

KSBJ; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

HSA with employer contribution

Flexible Savings Accounts

Company Paid Disability

EAP

Generous PTO

Mission Days

Company Holidays

403B with Company Match

Life Insurance

Identity Theft Protection

Chaplains access

Job summary

Hope Media Group in Houston seeks a Donor Event Planner to design and manage donor engagement events that strengthen relationships and fundraising impact. You will oversee concept, budgeting, logistics, and post-event evaluation to deliver memorable experiences aligned with our mission.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship‑driven, and experienced in coordinating complex events with executive leadership and major donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration.
• 7–10 years of event planning experience, preferably in nonprofit fundraising or donor relations.
• Experience working with executive leadership and high-capacity donors is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and execute donor appreciation events, galas, luncheons, tours, and cultivation events.
• Develop event timelines, project plans, and production schedules.
• Coordinate venue, catering, AV, décor, entertainment, transportation, and accommodations.
• Ensure events reflect the organization's mission and brand standards.
• Manage registrations, seating, guest communications, and on-site check-in.
• Collaborate with Development, Marketing, Communications and Leadership teams.
• Prepare post-event reports, budgets, and donor feedback.
• Coordinate post-event donor acknowledgments and follow-up activities.

Skills

Event planning

Budget management

Vendor negotiation

Donor relations

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Event management software (Cvent, Eventbrite)

Job description

Description

Hope Media Group is a multi-brand ministry. Every story we share, every event we host, and every song we play is done to engage people to love Jesus, serve others, and spread Hope. Hope Media Group the home of KSBJ, WayFM, Worship 24/7, Vida Unida, NGEN radio. Way Loud, Way New, Way Back, Gospel 24/7, God Listens Prayer App and Hope Events. We invite you to apply and become a part of our growing ministry to Love Jesus, Serve Others, and Spread Hope. Our team describes our environment as fun, encouraging, collaborative, engaging, caring, family-oriented, and friendly. We would love for you to join us and be part of what God is doing in our ministry!

Job Summary:

The Donor Event Planner is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing exceptional donor engagement events that strengthen relationships with current and prospective supporters. This role manages every aspect of event production—from concept development and budgeting to logistics and post-event evaluation to create memorable experiences that support fundraising goals and reinforce the organization's mission.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship-oriented, detail-focused, and passionate about creating meaningful experiences that inspire generosity and deepen donor engagement.

Essential Functions:

Event Planning & Execution

• Plan, organize, and execute donor appreciation events, fundraising galas, receptions, luncheons, tours, stewardship events, and cultivation gatherings.
• Develop event timelines, project plans, and production schedules.
• Coordinate all event logistics, including venue selection, catering, audiovisual services, décor, entertainment, transportation, and accommodations when necessary.
• Ensure every event reflects the organization's mission, values, and brand standards.
• Manage event registration, seating charts, name badges, guest communications, and on-site check-in.

Donor Experience

Design exceptional guest experiences that make donors feel welcomed, appreciated, and valued.

Work closely with Development Officers to identify VIP attendees and ensure personalized hospitality.

Coordinate donor recognition opportunities during events.

Maintain high standards of professionalism and hospitality before, during, and after each event.

Project & Vendor Management

• Source, negotiate, and manage vendor contracts.
• Develop and monitor event budgets while identifying cost‑saving opportunities.
• Ensure vendor performance meets organizational expectations.
• Coordinate volunteers and temporary event staff as needed.

Collaboration

• Partner with Development, Marketing, Communications, Executive Leadership, and Operations teams to ensure successful event execution.
• Coordinate promotional materials, invitations, event programs, presentations, signage, and printed collateral.
• Support fundraising initiatives by integrating giving opportunities into events.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain event calendars and project management systems.
• Track RSVPs, attendance, and event metrics.
• Prepare post‑event reports including attendance, budget reconciliation, donor feedback, and recommendations for improvement.
• Maintain organized records of vendor contacts, contracts, and event documentation.

Stewardship & Follow‑Up

• Coordinate post‑event donor acknowledgments and thank‑you communications.
• Assist with donor stewardship strategies following events.
• Evaluate event outcomes and recommend improvements for future programming.

Demonstrated Faith

• Committed to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
• Grounded spiritually and biblically literate
• Comfortable praying for co‑workers in team meetings, leading spoken prayer, and participating in ministry prayer meetings and Bible studies
• Live Christian principles defined by the ministry’s Statement of Faith & Biblical Beliefs
• Participate in on‑air fundraisers and prays for donors as needed
• Passion for leveraging the HMG’s media platforms for evangelism and discipleship
• Exhibit a strong moral character
• Active member of a Bible believing local church

Requirements

Non‑Essential Functions:

• Other duties as requested.

Requirements and Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Hospitality, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or at least 10 years of experience in related field preferred.

Experience:

• 7-10 years of event planning experience, preferably in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, hospitality, or corporate events.
• Experience managing multiple complex events simultaneously.
• Experience working with executive leadership and high‑capacity donors is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong attention to detail and follow‑through
• Budget management experience
• Vendor negotiation and contract management skills
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and solve problems quickly
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with CRM/database systems (Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Virtuous, etc.) preferred
• Familiarity with event management software (Cvent, Eventbrite, etc.) is a plus

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Working Conditions and Environment

Travel:

• As needed
• Nights/Weekends/Holidays:
• Occasional for support drives and on‑air fundraising activities

Overtime:

• Occasional for support drives and on‑air fundraising activities

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Activity may include Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers including pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than the whole hand as in handling. Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

Full‑Time Benefits Offerings:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account w/employer contribution
• Flexible Savings Accounts
• Company Paid Short Term Disability/Long Term Disability
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Three (3) Paid Mission Days
• Twelve (12) Company‑Paid Holidays
• 403B Retirement with Company Match
• Group Life Insurance
• Legal Shield/Identity Theft Protection
• Access to Marketplace Ministry Chaplains

Third‑Party Recruiter Policy:

We are grateful for the interest of those who wish to support our hiring efforts. However, Hope Media Group does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate referrals from external staffing agencies or search firms. Submissions from third parties will not be considered and may be retained without obligation or payment or fees.