Join Our Team

Careers & Internships

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities 

• As a Fund Development Manager, you will develop and implement strategic plans for identifying, qualifying, and soliciting potential donors, while also fostering ongoing relationships with existing supporters. In this position, you will collaborate closely with senior leadership and other team members to identify opportunities that will lead to the acquisition of new relationships that will expand over time.  
• This position requires a proactive approach to learning and understanding the structure and tax benefits of the comprehensive menu of fund options and giving strategies available to donors at the Community Foundation. The successful candidate will be able to clearly articulate to potential donors the benefits of partnering with the Community Foundation to facilitate and enhance their charitable giving. 
• The role will require excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and will be adept at creating compelling proposals and presentations. If you are motivated by philanthropy and want to make a tangible difference in our community, we encourage you to apply and help us strengthen our donor relations strategies and grow our portfolio of charitable funds. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, finance, or a related field required. 
• Advanced degree and/or professional accreditation or certification preferred (examples: CFA, CFP, CFRE, CAP). 
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, financial planning, sales, or related field preferred.  
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to craft compelling stories and proposals. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple priorities and projects effectively. 
• Accountability to senior leadership to track progress toward achieving annual goals and metrics.  
• Familiarity with fundraising databases, wealth screening software, donor management software, such as Foundant or comparable systems. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities 

• Create and maintain a master marketing and events calendar in coordination with Marketing and Communications team members highlighting both existing and upcoming projects, events, deliverables, and timelines 
• Guide the vision, direction and successful completion of Community Foundation events in coordination with primary team leads (e.g., awards ceremonies, donor appreciation events, webinars, group convenings, Mohawk Valley Gives [see below], and other events). This includes concept, planning, and logistics; vendor management; invites, promotion, and attendee tracking; presentations, handouts, and other deliverables
  Serve as a key editor for all internal and external communications and ensure quality assurance on all aspects of project work 
• Work closely with Director of Marketing and Communications on goal setting/KPI’s for the department 
• Analyze and report on event outcomes to drive continuous improvement 
• Perform other projects or special assignments as required 

Mohawk Valley Gives (www.givemv.org) is the Community Foundation’s largest event of the year. Taking place each September, this online giving event benefits hundreds of area nonprofits and brings residents, businesses, and the community together to make an impact. This role will serve as the main organizer for the giving campaign, coordinating with internal teams to ensure a smooth rollout and implementing strategies to grow the event over time. Duties related to the giving day will include: 

• Plan, organize, and execute the fundraising event from conception to completion, including MV Gives sub-events (e.g., training sessions, webinars, sponsor engagement events, giving day festivities) 
• Oversee campaign budgets, media buys, and communications, including email, social media, direct mailings, web updates, media relations, etc. 
• Implement marketing tactics to enhance and grow the Mohawk Valley Gives brand 
• Engage with community partners and businesses to create brand awareness and participation 
• Produce status reports to the leadership team on event progress and outcomes 

Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree required in communications, marketing, public relations, advertising, or a related field 
• 5+ years’ demonstrated experience working in a marketing, event planning, and/or fundraising capacity. A combination of all three is preferred  
• Proven experience managing a team of high-performing individuals   
• Equivalent combinations of education and work experience will be considered 

Technical Requirements 

• Required Computer Software: Microsoft Office (specifically Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel), Social Media Platforms (specifically Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube), Adobe Creative Cloud (specifically Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), MailChimp, Airtable 
• Preferred Computer Software: Content Management Systems (such as WordPress, Silverstripe), Giving Day Software (such as GiveGab) 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Attention to detail; strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to write in various formats, including social media, newsletters, news releases and feature stories 
• Demonstrates project management skills, relationship building, marketing expertise, and good budget management skills 
• Proofreading skills and familiarity with AP Style guidelines preferred 
• Able to work independently, as well as set and adhere to deadlines to ensure timely completion of tasks and projects 
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills 
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously with flexibility to adapt as priorities change 
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community 
• Understanding of different social media platforms 
• Desire for excellence and accuracy in the performance of duties 

Interested candidates should review the following documents:

• Interim Executive Director Job Description
• Community Collaboration: Two Local Foundations Joining Forces to Build Capacity and Enhance Community Impact