Signature Fundraising Events Leader

Heart To Heart International; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Heart to Heart International in Lenexa, KS seeks a Special Events Manager to translate Development priorities into an annual event plan and budget. You will lead a new signature fundraising event, coordinate third-party events with local donors, and support donor cultivation events throughout the year.

The role manages budgets, vendors, logistics, and volunteer engagement, builds relationships with sponsors and community partners, and reports on event results to Development leadership.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead complex fundraising events from concept through execution.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple events, timelines, budgets, and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across departments and lead staff and volunteer participation without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong financial management, negotiation, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising events, sponsorships, third-party fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, development, launch, and annual execution of a new signature fundraising event.
• Develop and manage comprehensive event plans and timelines to achieve fundraising, cultivation, and engagement objectives.
• Manage all event logistics, including venue selection, contracts, vendors, catering, audiovisual needs, registration, production, permits, insurance, and day-of-event operations.
• Make day-to-day event decisions, manage expenditures, and implement operational adjustments within approved budgets and delegated authority.
• Coordinate agreed-upon staff assignments with department leaders and collaborate across Development, Marketing and Communications, Programs, Operations, Volunteer Engagement, and executive leadership.
• Develop, monitor, and reconcile event budgets and revenue projections, tracking sponsorships, ticket sales, in-kind support, expenses, and net proceeds against goals.
• Build relationships with local donors, businesses, community groups, and organizations to develop third-party fundraising events.
• Create and maintain third-party fundraising guidance, approval processes, toolkits, and stewardship practices that protect the organization’s brand.
• Plan and support donor cultivation and stewardship events throughout the year, including small gatherings, tours, receptions, and other engagement opportunities.
• Identify, solicit, and steward event sponsors and in-kind partners with timely recognition and follow-up.
• Maintain accurate event, sponsor, donor, and participant records in the donor database and report results to leadership.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Budget management

Event planning

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

NXT

Microsoft Office

CRM software

Job description

Heart to Heart International in Lenexa, KS seeks a Special Events Manager to translate Development priorities into an annual event plan and budget. You will lead a new signature fundraising event, coordinate third-party events with local donors, and support donor cultivation events throughout the year.

The role manages budgets, vendors, logistics, and volunteer engagement, builds relationships with sponsors and community partners, and reports on event results to Development leadership.