KidSmart
The Position:
KidSmart is seeking a Donor Stewardship and Events Manager who has the confidence, knowledge and proven success to lead and execute an annual, mission-centered, circular stewardship plan for raising and ensuring sustainable annual gifts from major gift and mid-level donors. A key to successful stewardship is maintaining good relationships, through strong communication, appreciation, engagement and involvement. For KidSmart, successful stewardship is a four (4) step process which includes:
1) Communication & Appreciation
2) Engagement Events & Ask Events
3) Follow Up & Directing of Retention, Re-engagement & Growth
4) Leveraging Relationships to Expand Network
KidSmart is a well-respected, community-based not for profit organization with an impressive base of major gift and mid-level donors. This position will ensure the organization is positioned to exceed annual fundraising and friend-raising goals from individual donors. The successful candidate will excel at providing the inspired external and internal leadership and execution required to successfully exceed annual goals.
This is a key leadership position, requiring a strategic thinker & executor, capable project and relationship manager & accomplished fundraiser. The Donor Stewardship and Events Manager will lead KidSmart stewardship initiatives and event management and is responsible for developing, implementing and successfully meeting the goals of an Annual Individual Stewardship & Event Fundraising Plan. This includes developing detailed goals and initiatives for a diverse, integrated and successful stewardship program focused on annual giving campaigns, with priority given to major gifts and mid-level donors. This position works closely with the VP of Philanthropy, the development team and the entire executive team to enhance the organization’s philanthropic success through implementing a successful donor stewardship cycle including working closely with KidSmart’s communication and creative design partners on all related marketing, branding, and communications-including related e-philanthropy, digital and social media initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
The Donor Stewardship and Events Manager reports to the VP of Philanthropy and leads, implements, manages, evaluates and ensures the organization successfully achieves all Annual Individual Fund Stewardship and Event Goals with special focus on major gifts and mid-level donors. This also includes budget development & management, event, staff and volunteer management.
· Utilizing best practices from industry peers, develop and implement a customized, annual stewardship plan-with special focus on retention and growth of all mid-level donors (annual gifts of $1,000+).
· Successfully execute high level annual stewardship initiatives, including signature engagement & ask events and activities, to meet annual individual revenue goals and grow the individual revenue stream strategically year over year ased on budget requirements.
· Successfully plan and execute KidSmart’s Signature Fundraising Events.
· Strategically track and analyze all donor stewardship activities within the KidSmart donor database utilizing eTapestry.
· Collaborate with Director of Foundation Giving to develop and direct successful annual stewardship plan, including communication and appreciation for all Foundation partners, to ensure retention and growth of annual foundation revenue.
Qualifications:
Ideal candidates for this position will share a commitment to KidSmart’s mission, an entrepreneurial spirit, be self-motivated and results driven. He or she and will bring a proven track record of successfully meeting or exceeding goals, with experience in sales and/or development strategy, event planning and marketing.
1. At least five (5) years of professional experience in fundraising or sales via multiple channels
2. Demonstrated track record of organizing and execution of successful annual fundraising plans, meeting or exceeding all annual goals, securing annual individual gifts, and the ability to develop and execute high level strategies to meet annual philanthropy goals
3. Experience planning and implementing fundraising events able to meet or exceed revenue goals
4. Demonstrated success in maintaining and building relationships through successful stewardship
5. Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral, including presentations in one-on-one and group settings
6. Proficient in donor database management system (Etapestry preferred), social media & web-based channels, Microsoft Suite
7. Bachelor’s degree required
8. An entrepreneurial spirit and high level of creativity and innovation
9. A steady leader with a bias for action and accountability
Compensation:
· Competitive base compensation of $50,000 – $65,000 dependent on experience, with opportunity for incentive compensation, for exceeding goals.
· KidSmart offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including: health, dental & life insurance; participation in 401K; generous leave schedule; annual professional development
Application Process:
To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume and salary history via email only to:
Abbie Enlund
Abbie@KidSmartstl.org
For more information about KidSmart, please visit the website at: http://www.kidsmartstl.org
KidSmart is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to recruiting a broadly diverse pool of qualified candidates for the position.
The KidSmart Organization:
KidSmart was founded in 2000 with a mission to empower children in need to succeed in school by providing free essential tools for learning. Since its inception, KidSmart has distributed more than $95 million in free school supplies to 200,000+ economically disadvantaged children in the St. Louis area. Donations and gifts from individuals and businesses help keep KidSmart stocked with thousands of surplus and new items. At present, more than $8 million worth of free supplies are distributed annually into classrooms and the hands of local kids in need.
KidSmart can be characterized as mature beyond its years with a talented, connected, and well-developed board, and a committed staff. It is widely respected in the community by funders, the school systems, teachers, and community leaders. The organizational culture can be described as sophisticated yet down to earth, gracious, and creative, and further distinguished by a commitment to setting and achieving high goals and standards.
KidSmart Key Programs
1. The KidSmart Free Store is where teachers shop for instructional supplies and educational incentives, at no cost, to equip St. Louis kids in need. The store is an educational resource center that provides support and inspiration for enhancing educational opportunities for children living in high needs communities.
2. Crafts with Conviction is a collaborative program with the Missouri Department of Corrections in which 1000+ offenders volunteer their time and labor to transform donated raw materials into educational and incentive items that are distributed by KidSmart.
3. On the Go! is a KidSmart distribution initiative, which takes KidSmart’s services, literally, on the road and directly into classrooms in high needs communities.
4. KidSmart Pop Up Shop & Drive-Thru Distribution are the newest KidSmart distribution initiatives in which KidSmart “pops-up” in a central location, for a one-day event to distribute $300,000-$1,000,000 in free school supplies to immediately equip thousands of KidSmart students in high needs communities.
KidSmart is the only free educational supply store in Missouri and serves students in 205 St. Louis-area schools, over 4000 local classrooms, with priority given to schools meeting a high need indices. KidSmart moved to a new, permanent home in 2020, located in Maryland Heights, MO, in the Westport footprint. The organization is governed by a 15-member board of directors.
