Fundraising Manager

OTR Chamber; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Health benefits

HSA

Sabbatical program

Cell phone reimbursement

Company laptop

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Findlay Market is seeking a Fundraising Manager to lead all fundraising efforts, including events, sponsorships, donor relations, and communications collaboration. The role emphasizes strategic planning, team leadership, and community partnerships to sustain core programs.

The position requires 4–5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree, and proven ability to manage budgets and volunteers while working nontraditional hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree required.
• 4–5 years relevant work experience required; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Experience in event planning, fundraising campaigns, and donor relations.
• Experience managing staff or interns is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute main annual fundraising event with 400 attendees.
• Create event budgets and track expenses to meet goals.
• Coordinate promotion and collateral with communications team.
• Solicit and secure sponsorships for Findlay Market programs and events.
• Lead donor cultivation and recognition programs year-round.
• Supervise Development team and interns.
• Support capital campaigns such as Findlay Forward.
• Collaborate across departments to raise funds for initiatives.

Skills

Event planning

Sponsorship fundraising

Donor cultivation

Nonprofit funding

Communication skills

Grant writing

Volunteer recruitment

Team leadership

Budget management

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree

Tools

Google Drive

Microsoft Office

MailChimp

Job description

The Fundraising Manager is a full-time, year-round position responsible for all fundraising efforts at Findlay Market. They will plan and execute fundraising campaigns and events, and will secure sponsorship dollars for events, programs and other Findlay Market initiatives. The Fundraising Manager’s schedule is primarily Monday-Friday, with regular evening events and occasional weekend commitments throughout the year.

Time in this role is primarily spent on logistic coordination and execution of major and minor fundraising events, communication with market merchants, planning and executing fund drives, and outreach to potential and existing sponsors.

Living the Mission

As ambassadors for Findlay Market, every team member plays a vital role in supporting the organization’s mission, values, and philanthropic efforts. This means actively contributing to the market’s initiatives, embodying our commitment to community and diversity, and championing the cultural and economic vibrancy that defines Findlay Market. Together, we strive to uphold our mission and make a lasting impact.

The Fundraising Manager will raise money for vital Findlay Market initiatives and programs, market events, and general operating expenses, and will work closely with the finance team to ensure all funds are tracked appropriately. They will also work closely with the communication team to help with crafting engaging calls to action, to plan social media campaigns for fundraising endeavors, and to recruit volunteers for fundraising initiatives.

The Fundraising Manager will work with all departments across the organization to raise money for vital programs such as Findlay Kitchen, Findlay Learn, Findlay Launch, and the Findlay Market Shopping App.

The Fundraising Manager will help create awareness among the general public that the Corporation for Findlay Market is a non-profit organization with many philanthropic endeavors through onsite fundraising campaigns. They will foster relationships with corporate partners and community organizations to sponsor Findlay Market’s various programs and events.

The Fundraising Manager will have the following detailed responsibilities:

Flavor of Findlay

Lead Development team in planning and execution of main annual fundraising event, with a lead time of approximately 9 months of planning for approximately 400 attendees

Create event budget, and track expenses and income to reach fundraising goal

Work with communication team to create all event collateral and promotion plan

Solicit and secure Flavor of Findlay sponsorships

Overall responsibility for all aspects of event, from chef-merchant pairings to silent auction to equipment rentals and layout

Lead Development team in planning and execution of a series of events to celebrate and honor Findlay Market’s 175th anniversary, including:

Farm-to-Table Dinner Series, with a lead time of approximately five months of planning

175th Anniversary Gala (to take the place of Flavor of Findlay in 2027)

Findlay Kitchen Small Bites, Big Impact Fundraiser

Work closely with the Findlay Kitchen team to plan annual fundraiser featuring Findlay Kitchen members to raise funds for Findlay Kitchen, with a lead time of approximately three months for approximately 200 attendees

Work with communication team to create all event collateral and promotion plan

Determine event program and ask strategy to raise money during fundraiser

Overall responsibility for all aspects of event, from vendor and menu selection to space layout, rental equipment, budgeting, setting and meeting financial goals

Sponsorships & Corporate Partnerships

Identify and secure sponsors for all Findlay Market programs, including but not limited to: Craft Beer Series, Music at the Market, Education Center, Holiday Season, Jane’s Bar, Race Street Station, and the Farmers Market.

Identify and secure sponsors for all Findlay Market events, including but not limited to: Chili Fest, Valentine’s Day Sweet & Savory Stroll, Art & Poetry, Juneteenth, Night Market, National Farmers Market Week, Fall Food Festival, Trick or Treat, BLINK and Holiday Market.

Build relationships with corporate partners, and manage all sponsorship benefits and needs, such as ensuring on-site set-up meets partner expectations, ensuring partner names and logos are on all necessary market collateral, etc.

Coordinate corporate pop ups on site at Findlay Market

Research, apply for and coordinate charitable brewery nights and other fundraising opportunities with local businesses and community partners

Research and approach potential new corporate partners

Create annual sponsorship opportunities guide to share with potential sponsors

Plan and execute all Spring & Winter Fund Drives, including Double Your Dollars Day / Giving Tuesday Campaign

Create all solicitation materials for fundraising campaigns and initiatives

Plan and execute small and large scale fundraising events to support Findlay Forward capital campaign

Support public phase of the Findlay Forward capital campaign via in-person fundraising initiatives and events, and other duties as assigned

Donor Cultivation

Qualify, develop and maintain year-round relationships with a portfolio of individual donors and prospects

Plan and execute annual donor recognition events

Support general donor cultivation and recognition efforts

Create and execute plan for recognizing donors during Supporter Appreciation Month

Work across departments to plan one-off and recurring fundraising events and campaigns to raise money for various Findlay Market programs, including:

Findlay Launch

Education Center

Shopping App

Responsible for ideation, planning and execution of any new fundraising events to support CFFM’s fundraising goals

Act as point person for fundraising collaborations with local businesses

Work with the Communications team to add revenue generating component to market events

General Development Support

Help to organize data, and research information to support grant applications and reporting, annual reports and donor communication

Support management of donor database

Management

Responsible for direct supervision of Development Associate, as well as any Development interns and co-ops

Values, Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Skill and experience in event planning and execution, coordinating activities, evaluating data and establishing priorities

Demonstrated ability to work in a proactively diverse and inclusive organization

Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment

Proven track record of soliciting and receiving sponsorship dollars

Excellent, proven interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

Demonstrated ability to craft engaging calls to action and social media copy

Experienced writer with the ability to edit their own work effectively to create polished product

Effective problem-solving and mediation skills

Demonstrated ability to share skills and knowledge with others

Proficiency with office computer equipment and software

Experience managing employees

Continual on the job learning is required

Education – Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree required

Experience – 4-5 years relevant work experience required; nonprofit experience preferred

Computer and technical skills – proficiency in Google Drive, Microsoft Office applications and online platforms (e.g. MailChimp) is required

Must be able to work some non-traditional hours, including evening and weekends

Must be able to provide own transportation to and from work, and for work-related activities

Benefits:

4 Weeks of PTO (5 weeks after 2 years, 6 weeks after 10 years)

9 Paid Holidays

Health Benefits (medical, dental, vision) including High Deductible Health Plan with employer paying 85-90% of health premiums

Employer Funded HSA ($1,000-$1,200 for individual or $2,000-$2,200 for Family) - for those enrolled in health benefits

Sabbatical Program: 5 weeks paid sabbatical after 5 years with $1,000 stipend at the start of sabbatical

Option for monthly cell phone reimbursement or company phone

Work computer

The Corporation for Findlay Market is an equal opportunity employer.