The following is the full job description for the new position of Assistant Director of Fundraising/Alumni Coordinator. To view other open positions at YEA!, please visit our Employment Page.

Assistant Director of Fundraising/Alumni Coordinator

The Assistant Director of Fundraising will work as a member of the Youth Education in the Arts fundraising team to raise unrestricted support for the organization through organized and coordinated fundraising efforts.

Efforts will be centered upon the alumni of The Cadets, Cadets² and eventually USBands, as the organization works to grow philanthropic support at all levels.

This position is available immediately and does require the candidate to work out of our Allentown office unless traveling for business.

Essential Duties

• Actively participate in the goal-setting process and implement effective fundraising programs for each assigned class or constituency. Fundraising programs include personalized written campaigns such as anniversary and leadership-level giving letters, phone-a-thons, social media, direct mail and E-mail during strategic times of the year.
• Special events are also a part of the assistant’s responsibilities. Such events range from dinners, to stadium activity at competitions, to small gatherings across the country.
• Recruit, train, and motivate a substantial group of alumni and fan volunteers for the purpose of assisting in these donor-driven events. The assistant director may be asked to draft communications to volunteers, supervise mass-mailings to volunteers, inform volunteers of updated information and deadlines and provide other personal support as needed. NOTE: YEA! does have a volunteer coordinator, but specific effort in this area is crucial to the success of each and every campaign.
• Advise, educate and solicit potential alumni donors as well as friends and fans of our programs through face-to-face meetings, phone calls and written communications.
• Monitor annual giving solicitation strategies as well as participation and dollar goals for all Cadets and Cadets² campaigns on a weekly basis.
• Continually review alumni and fan donor profiles to identify potential top annual donors and determine individual solicitation strategies.
• Develop, foster and maintain positive alumni relations in order to keep alumni engaged and predisposed to give back to their alma mater. This includes attendance at northern New Jersey alumni meetings as well as the creation and maintenance of geographic chapters of alumni and fans in key areas of support.
• As assigned, coordinate special annual programs with a targeted focus.
• As needed, staff and attend YEA! fundraising and other events including championships and regionals, regional meetings, and other gatherings including some of The Cadets’ rehearsals and tour stops.

Requirements

Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree and one year of direct fundraising, marketing, communications or volunteer management experience, or an equivalent combination of education/experience

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills, including attention to detail
• Ability to handle diverse, simultaneous tasks and attend to follow-through
• Highly motivated and energetic, ability to show initiative and work independently
• Outgoing personality and ability to initiate and enjoy direct communication with alumni; customer-service orientation
• Preferred: Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word; familiarity with fundraising/marketing databases and the ability to learn such

Random Considerations

• There will be some travel, primarily from Boston to South Carolina
• There are evenings and weekends involved. Since much of our work is volunteer- and donor-based, we need to be available when they are.
• Grant-writing experience would be very, very helpful.
• And rather important: At this time, much of our fundraising comes from the alumni and fans of The Cadets. We are working to expand this base, but with an eye to today, we would LOVE for this position to be filled by an alumnus of The Cadets. If not, the individual needs to have a clear love for drum corps, marching band and all things pageantry.

Benefits and Salary

Benefits

• Salary will depend on past experience and ability. We view this as an entry-level to low-level position, and salary will align to such a position. On the other hand, there is a definite possibility for growth in compensation as our donor efforts grow.
• YEA! offers full medical/dental after six months of employment. Currently, YEA! pays 50 percent of the premium, and the employee the other 50 percent. Only the employee is covered through our plan, although it is possible to add spouses and children at the employee’s expense.
• We offer two weeks’ vacation after six months of employment. From day one, one half of a sick day per month is added to the employee’s time available.
• YEA! offers 15 paid holidays as paid time off. Of particular note, we are generally closed for the last week of the calendar year, as schools are closed.

To Apply

Write to George Hopkins at hopkins@yea.org. Please include a resume, cover letter, and anything that may assist the hiring committee in gaining a better picture of who you are.

The first round of resumes will be reviewed March 1, after which time all applicants will be contacted.