Donor Engagement & Events Manager

About the Organization

The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to create opportunities that empower rural people to thrive in the tech economy. 

Our values: Rural America is a place of untapped potential. As an organization, we believe it takes a culture of collaboration – one built upon integrity, respect, and trust – to achieve equity and help people and places take on meaningful roles in the 21st-century tech economy.

 We're looking for a highly organized, tech-savvy team player to join CORI as our Manager, Donor Engagement & Events. This role is a key opportunity to contribute to our mission by building essential infrastructure that supports our expanding network of donors, sponsors, and partners. Reporting directly to our Chief Growth Officer, you'll play a vital part in shaping how we connect with, engage, and expand our community.

While a traditional fundraising background is valuable, it's not a prerequisite. We're particularly interested in candidates with strong project management skills, clear and compelling in person and virtual communication abilities, and an aptitude for optimizing systems. If you're eager to learn and grow within a development and events-focused role, and contribute to a powerful mission, this could be your next step.

What You'll Do: Drive Impact

As our Manager, Donor Engagement & Events, you'll be central to integrating our donor outreach, event execution, and operational excellence. Your responsibilities will include:

Enhancing Engagement: Donor & Sponsor Relations

• Implement Strategies: Support the CGO, CEO, and Board in the execution of individual donor and sponsorship engagement strategies, including appeals, campaigns, and partner outreach.
• Coordinate Outreach: Manage donor research, meticulously track outreach efforts, ensure timely follow-ups, and expertly schedule interactions for leadership and development teams.
• Develop Communications: Collaborate with our development and communications teams to prepare engaging donor communications, gift acknowledgments, and sponsorship proposals.
• Maintain Data Integrity: Utilize our CRM to track donor and sponsor information, ensuring data accuracy and generating actionable reports that inform our strategy.
• Direct Donor Engagement: Build and strengthen relationships with donors and sponsors through independent meetings, both in person and virtually. Accompany senior leadership on fundraising trips and events, ensuring meaningful engagement and providing staffing support to maximize donor connections.

Executing Experiences: Event Coordination & Support

• Plan & Execute Events: Work closely with our communications, operations, and program teams to plan, promote, and execute impactful donor and sponsor-facing events, both virtual and in-person.
• Manage Logistics: In partnership with Operations, oversee all event logistics, including invitation lists, registration systems, run-of-show, vendor coordination, and post-event follow-up.

Optimizing Operations: Systems & Processes

• Maintain Tools: Manage and optimize essential fundraising operations tools, including donor databases, email platforms, and project management software.
• Ensure Tracking: Confirm all donor and sponsor activity is accurately recorded and tracked for analysis, stewardship including thank you notes and cultivation updates, and reporting.
• Establish Procedures: Contribute to establishing standard operating procedures and platforms for donor and event-related processes, promoting scalable growth.

Who You Are: Our Ideal Candidate

We're looking for a proactive and detail-oriented professional ready to contribute meaningfully.

• Action-Oriented Strategist: You're a pragmatic problem-solver who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced setting, translating concepts into effective actions.
• Highly Organized: Exceptionally organized, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Tech-Proficient: Comfortable working with various digital tools (CRM, Google Workspace, Monday, Zoom, etc.) and eager to learn new systems.
• Effective Communicator: You enjoy building professional relationships and supporting mission-driven work through clear and concise communication.
• Donor-Facing Confidence: Comfortable representing CORI with donors, sponsors, and stakeholders, and able to build relationships with warmth, professionalism, and discretion.
• Committed to Growth: Open to continuous learning and professional development in fundraising, communications, or nonprofit operations.

What You Bring: Your Skills & Background

• Professional Experience: 3–6 years of relevant professional experience in fundraising, member services, operations, project management, or related fields as applicable.
• Event Coordination: Demonstrated experience coordinating events or campaigns, both virtual and in-person, and comfort interacting with stakeholders. .
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and systems.
• Data & Tech Acumen: Comfortable working with data, technology platforms, and process development.
• Mission Alignment: A genuine interest in and alignment with our mission focused on economic opportunity, digital equity, and rural prosperity.

Physical Requirements:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Location:

Fully remote; travel to our Hartland, VT headquarters, other rural locations is required for in-person meetings and travel to growth/development events as scheduled. Preference given to candidates in the Central or Eastern time zones.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Skipped application questions will result in disqualification.
• Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
• Center on Rural Innovation will manage the application and review process using our Workable platform. Please do not call or email; please direct all inquiries through this system. 

We are unable to respond to phone and email inquiries at this time.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary - $80,000 - $90,000 - DOE
• Annual professional development allowance 
• 100% employer paid health, dental, vision, life and short-term disability insurance
• 5% employer matched 401k after 90 days
• Home office set-up allowance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fifteen days accrued PTO, plus eight floating holidays

CORI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, believing that everyone's unique story adds value to our mission.

**We are seeking candidates who currently live in a rural area or have lived in a rural area for more than 5 years. Rural is defined as a town with a Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code of 4 or higher as determined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.**