Grants & Events Specialist

San Diego Habitat for Humanity; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous health, dental, vision

Retirement plan + employer match

Life insurance

Flex savings accounts

PTO 15 days + 13 holidays

Hybrid work

Inclusive work culture

Job summary

San Diego Habitat for Humanity is seeking a Grants & Events Specialist to coordinate an aggressive grants calendar, write proposals, steward corporate partners, and manage event logistics. This role reports to the Partnerships & Events Manager and supports a high-functioning fundraising team dedicated to affordable housing.

The position offers an hourly wage of $30–$34, generous benefits, a hybrid work arrangement, and the opportunity to engage with community partners while delivering

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of professional nonprofit experience or fundraising experience.
• Experience with events, volunteers and donor relations preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to engage donors and partners.
• Proficiency with MS Office and nonprofit databases.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate grants calendar and ensure timely submissions and reports.
• Write and edit grant proposals and donor reports.
• Manage corporate partnerships and in-kind gifts.
• Plan and execute fundraising events and activities.
• Track fundraising metrics and communicate impact.
• Provide stewardship to funders and prepare acknowledgments.

Skills

Grant writing

Fundraising

Event planning

Donor relations

Project management

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Classy

Blackbaud RENXT

MS Office

Job description

GRANT & EVENTS SPECIALIST

FULL-TIME, nonexempt, hourly range $30-$34 per hour depending on qualifications

Generous benefits, supportive work environment, great colleagues, meaningful work

San Diego Habitat for Humanity is seeking a highly motivated and self-directed individual with strong interpersonal and organizational skills who is looking to work with a high-functioning fundraising team doing fulfilling work.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Grants & Events Specialist is responsible for coordinating an aggressive grants calendar, writing proposals, stewarding relationships with corporate partners, completing administrative tasks in relation to gifts, coordinating special events logistics, organization, and execution, and persuasively communicating the mission and program needs of San Diego Habitat for Humanity to potential funders.

Reporting to the Partnerships & Events Manager, the Grants & Events Specialist will oversee submission and reporting for corporate grants, secure in‑kind gifts for programs and events, and be responsible for a portfolio of corporate partnerships. The Specialist will assist with the design, organization, and implementation of signature special events and stewardship activities. Expectations include adhering to submission deadlines, funding compliance, reporting requirements, stewarding partner relationships, event coordination; and serving as the point person for organizational impact data.

San Diego Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer. San Diego Habitat strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.

BENEFITS:

• Generous health, dental, vision benefits
• Retirement Plan + Employer Match
• Life insurance, Flex Savings Accounts, EAP
• Supplemental life, accident, critical illness
• 15 days Paid Time Off per year and 13 Paid Holidays
• Hybrid work: in-office, remote, and in the field
• Leadership committed to an inclusive and supportive work culture

MISSION:

San Diego Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent and affordable home to live in dignity and safety.

Essential Job Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

Resource Development

• Identify, research, and qualify prospective grant opportunities with a focus on corporate partnerships.
• Create and manage the grants calendar, track grants in Raiser's Edge, and ensure timely submission of grant applications and impact reports.
• Conduct research on potential new sources of funding.
• Attend funding workshops and develop relationships with funders and their staff to write compelling grants that align with their funding priorities.
• Respond to inbound inquiries for grants and special events.
• Assist with group volunteer bookings and MOU’s for complex partnerships.
• Secure in-kind gifts for construction, repair, and events.
• Assist with sponsored group build days and special events on-site.
• Coordinate the timely completion of funding partnership stewardship and build day deliverables.
• Generate acknowledgment letters and facilitate gift processing.

Events

• Assist with planning and logistics of signature fundraising events including, but not limited to: Women Build, Veterans Build, Playhouse Competitions, and Taste of Home.
• Coordinate and manage stewardship gatherings including but not limited to: Legacy Luncheon, Home Dedications, Wall-Raisings, Volunteer Appreciation, and Donor Meet-and-Greets.
• Export invitation lists and coordinate sending invitations via email (MailChimp), or U.S. mail.
• Track RSVP’s and respond to participant inquiries.
• Enter registrations into Classy and Blackbaud’s RENXT database.
• Solicit donations of goods and in‑kind support for raffles, incentives, and silent auction items.
• Maintain inventory of special events supplies.
• Coordinate the prompt and accurate delivery of sponsor benefits including recognition, program listings, and donation acknowledgments and receipts.
• Work with Communications team to maintain accurate event information for the website.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of the position.
• Minimum of two years of professional nonprofit experience or professional marketing/writing.
• Experience with events, volunteers and/or customer service preferred.
• Experience or familiarity with nonprofit fundraising and donor relations is beneficial.
• Skills to organize, coordinate and execute fundraising and community events.
• Strong communication and customer service skills to interact effectively with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail in a fast‑paced environment.
• Computer proficency with MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database or CRM.
• Demonstrated commitment to affordable housing, community development, or mission-driven work is preferred.
• Demonstrate good judgment, tact, and tolerance of differing points of view, cultures, life experience and beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds.

EDUCATION:

Combination of professional work experience and results, skills and/or education

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to continuously stand or walk
• Ability to bend, reach, climb stairs and lift frequently
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally
• Ability to occasionally stand for sustained periods of time
• Ability to sit a desk for a sustained period of time
• Ability to verbally communicate clearly in‑person and on the telephone
• Ability to type using a computer keyboard and visual acuity to view a computer monitor

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Likely hybrid schedule of ‘work from home’, work at business office in San Diego, and offsite events
• Fast paced and open office working environment with multi‑level distractions
• Average 40 hours during business work week (M-F) and hours (8-5)
• Ability to work occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends when necessary for events and specific projects

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

• Must be able to pass background check (In accordance with state and county law: convictions do not necessarily rule out employment, it depends on the nature and severity of the conviction and is evaluated on a case by case basis, check is conducted on last 7 years only.)
• Valid California Driver’s License and good driving record preferred
• Ability to drive within the San Diego region for onsite/field locations and events