Full-time position in the Philanthropy Department. Responsible for planning and implementing HSPPR’s signature fundraising events and donor stewardship events for both the Colorado Springs and Pueblo campuses. Manages the Events Specialist position and works collaboratively with all members of the Philanthropy department, as well as members of all HSPPR departments.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
· Oversees the planning, logistics, and implementation of HSPPR’s signature fundraising events, including: Fur Ball (gala with 500+ guests raising $700K+), Pawtoberfest Dog Walk & Beer Fest (2,000+ attendees, raising $210K+), and Whisker Ball Brunch (gala for Pueblo supporters with 200+ guests raising $125K+).
· Create donor-centric event experiences with a strong focus on hospitality and gratitude while upholding the highest standards of customer service, excellence, and stewardship.
· Coordinates the planning and execution of donor stewardship events (1-2 events per quarter) for both Colorado Springs and Pueblo campuses in conjunction with Major Gifts team.
· Manage promotional events, including “Happy Tails Happy Hour” events and community/third party/DIY/partnership events that support HSPPR’s fundraising or promote HSPPR signature events with Events Specialist and Corporate Giving Specialist.
· Responsible for overall event budget management and stewardship: event revenue, expenses and obtaining net goal. Creates and maintains budgets for each event.
· Manage relationships with external vendors to coordinate event logistics, negotiate contracts, secure liquor licenses, and ensure compliance with local ordinances.
· Collaborates with the Major Gifts team (Director of Development, Donor Officers, and VP of Philanthropy) to analyze donor motivations, trends, and preferences, ensuring events are strategically designed and evolve to deepen engagement and maximize philanthropic impact.
· Works closely with Marketing & Communications team to establish deadlines for the creation and design all event collateral (invitations, emails, programs, flyers, posters, t-shirts, signage, appeal video, scripts, etc.) and provides written content for event-related promotional emails and updates for event website and ticketing platforms.
· Collaborates with the Communications team to develop strategy for marketing plans for each event and to ensure the consistent promotion of events.
· Collaborates with Corporate Giving position to develop sponsorship goals and giving levels for all HSPPR signature events. Assists with cultivation, stewardship and retention of event sponsors and major donors, business partners and vendors. Gather input and perspectives to fulfill sponsor benefits and maximize sponsorship value.
· Collaborate with the Volunteer Services department to recruit, train, manage, and recognize event volunteers. Ensure events are properly staffed, appoint lead volunteers/staff, and provide necessary training. Cultivate and appreciate additional volunteers essential to event success.
· Solicits in-kind donations in support of events, including overseeing the procurement of auction items for the Fur Ball and Whisker Ball Brunch silent and live auctions.
· Handles follow-up activities relating to events and promotions; provides post-event evaluations and reporting. Coordinates donor, volunteer, committee correspondences, thank you notes, and tax acknowledgements.
· Maintain the integrity of donor data by tracking and reporting ticket sales, auction payments, and giving amounts, ensuring accurate recording and reconciliation.
· Procures, maintains, and inventories storage closets of HSPPR’s supplies and equipment for special events and promotions.
Other
· If the Community Animal Response Team (CART) is activated, may serve as the Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #11 desk representative at either the City or County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and is responsible for serving as the liaison between HSPPR, the CART shelter(s) and the Command Staff.
· Attends EOC-related City and County training, including but not limited to completing the FEMA IS-100.b and IS-700.A certificate to be prepared to serve at the ESF #11 desk.
Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR
Perform all other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Duties
Directly supervises Events Specialist
Supervises volunteers assisting with events, planning committees and event related activities
Volunteer
Work cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to HSPPR.
Community Relations:
· Help the community and donors recognize the daily, life-saving work HSPPR does by sending pictures and stories to the Philanthropy team
· Aid the Philanthropy team with stories and photography opportunities whenever possible.
Safety
Ensure a safe work environment; following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices.
Take immediate action to address any safety concerns and that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
Material and Equipment Directly Used
Knowledge and ability of common computer software.
Computer proficient in Microsoft Office programs and familiarity with desktop publishing software.
Physical Demands
Regularly sits at computer station.
Must be able to lift, push, and pull a minimum of forty pounds with reasonable accommodations.
Must be able to be on feet for extended periods of time.
Typically stands, bends, stoops and crouches.
Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
Periodically drives a HSPPR Vehicle to perform duties.
· In the event that the Community Animal Response Team (CART) is activated, may serve as the Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #11 desk representative at either the City or County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and is responsible for serving for serving as the liaison between HSPPR, the CART shelter(s) and the Command Staff.
· Attends EOC related City and County trainings, including but not limited to completing the FEMA IS-100.b and IS-700.A certificates, to be prepared to serve at the ESF #11 desk.
Schedule Requirements
Schedule may include nights, weekend, and holiday work.
Ability to work a flexible/hybrid schedule after first 90 days of training.
Education/Experience Necessary
· Bachelor’s degree preferred.
· Two + years of experience in managing large (>$100K) fundraising events highly preferred.
· Ability to work within a fast-paced and technologically savvy workplace environment, utilizing tools such as Givesmart auction platform, Qgiv online giving platform, Raiser’s Edge donor database, project management tools (ie. Asana, Trello, etc.), Microsoft Office and Teams environment.
· Familiarity with Philanthropy terms and models (donor-centric events and communications, stewardship, Benevon, silent auctions, raise the paddle, community engagement, etc.)
· Ability to collaborate with ease and to create and maintain cross-departmental influence.
· Knowledge of animal behavior and animal handling experience preferred.
· Background in events, communications, public relations, or marketing in a non-profit setting desired.
Salary – $58,000 – $60,000/annually – DOE
Accepting applications until Monday March 3, 2025