POSITION: Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events

REPORTS TO: Director of Philanthropy

ABOUT KESEM

We are a nationwide community, driven by passionate college student leaders, that supports children through and beyond their parents cancer with innovative, fun-filled programs that foster a lasting community.

About the Position

Kesem seeks a creative, outgoing, problem-solving, detail and process-oriented Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events who can successfully support a national fundraising portfolio consisting of four galas and one to two parlor events. A key entry point for many of Kesem’s major donors, these national events should collectively raise over $700,000 annually and encompass a continuum of touchpoints to engage with our mission. The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events will also plan and implement other national meetings and training as needed, in person or virtually. The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events will report to the Director of Philanthropy. Additionally, this person will lead the implementation and growth of a year-round donor experience and stewardship program focused on event supporters and major donor constituents.

This individual is a key internal and external-facing member of the organization and must be comfortable interacting with National Board members, regional board members, senior management, vendors, and colleagues cross-departmentally.

Kesems Values

The Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events must uphold and build a culture that continues to support and strengthen the following behaviors to help us realize our vision:

• Continuous learning – We operate with curiosity and a willingness to try new things, and we see our successes and setbacks as opportunities for growth.
• Accountability – We are individually and collectively responsible for advancing our mission.
• Resilience – We empower and support each other through challenges while fostering a spirit of joy and hopefulness.
• Empathy – We seek to understand and appreciate other perspectives and experiences.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management (60%)

• Leverage national events as strategic opportunities to build and strengthen relationships with major donors and corporate sponsors, aligning engagement efforts with best practices in identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies, including sponsorship packages, peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities, and tiered giving levels, to maximize revenue from distinguished events.
• Build partnerships with corporate sponsors and community leaders to secure event underwriting, in-kind donations, and matching gift opportunities.
• Integrate mission-focused programming, such as keynote speeches, impact panels, or live testimonials, into events to inspire giving and demonstrate organizational impact.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive, year-round stewardship plan that emphasizes relationship-building and personal engagement, ensuring donors feel deeply connected to Kesems mission and impact.
• Equip front-line fundraisers with tools, resources, and tailored strategies to implement meaningful stewardship efforts at a national level.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create compelling, donor-facing content that adheres to Kesems branding standards, including impact stories, personalized summaries, testimonials, photos, and invitations to program activities like camp visits and mission-focused events.
• Oversee the national stewardship calendar, coordinating cross-departmentally to ensure seamless execution of key initiatives, including fundraiser recognition, Camp Visitors Day, Friends + Family Day, and Regional Kesem events.
• Prioritize personalized donor touchpoints, such as milestone recognitions, handwritten notes, or exclusive updates, to strengthen relationships and foster long-term engagement.
• Collaborate with program and development teams to ensure stewardship efforts align with Kesems priorities and reflect its mission and values.
• Support stewardship of the Regional, National, and Alumni Boards, fostering strong relationships through personalized communications, recognition efforts, and mission-focused engagement opportunities.

National Event Logistics & Management (40%)

• Plan, coordinate, and execute national events, ensuring alignment with Kesems mission, values, and milestones, such as the 25th Anniversary. Collaborate with the Brand Team on event concepts, marketing strategies, and design.
• Manage all aspects of logistics, including guest lists, sponsorship solicitations, fundraising platforms, vendor contracts, venues, food and beverage, audiovisual needs, and travel arrangements.
• Oversee donor and attendee data integration into CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) for tracking engagement and preferences, and provide post-event ROI assessments and feedback reports.
• Recruit, train, and manage event leads and volunteers, secure speakers and entertainment, and oversee rehearsals to highlight Kesems impact and story.
• Ensure sponsorship deliverables are fulfilled, lead on-site event production, and manage post-event activities, including acknowledgments, sponsor recaps, tax receipts, and communications.
• Support logistics for other key meetings and gatherings, such as the National Leadership Summit and board meetings, ensuring alignment with strategic goals

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of experience in donor stewardship, relationship management, and large-scale fundraising event logistics, aligning engagement strategies with organizational goals.
• Skilled in vendor and sponsorship management, strategic event planning, data analytics, and optimizing ROI, with proficiency in tools like Salesforce, Classy, and Hive.
• Strong communicator with expertise in writing, presentations, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver cohesive, mission-aligned events and donor experiences.
• Experienced in trai…