Fundraising Manager

Overview of Fundraising Manager

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.

Fundraising Manager Role Description

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:

Principal Duties & 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

• 175th Anniversary Fundraising Events

  • 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

• Fundraising Campaigns

• 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

• Oversee ongoing Fundraising Brick campaign

• 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

• Additional Fundraising Initiatives

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

Application Information

• Application: Apply with a cover letter and resume online via Paycom.
• Deadline to Apply: Applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis so we recommend applying early; November 15 deadline
• Salary: $50,000
• Benefits: This is a year-round, full-time position with an attractive benefits package that includes:
  • 4 Weeks of PTO (5 weeks after 2 years, 6 weeks after 10 years)
  • 9 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • 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.