Director of Special Events

Job Title: Special Events ManagerOrganization: Rainbow Council, Scouting AmericaLocation: Will, Grundy, and Kankakee Counties, IllinoisJob Summary: The Special Events Manager provides leadership and oversight for all Rainbow Council fundraising events and strategies to meet revenue goals. Reporting to the Director of Development, this position is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating three major annual fundraising events"”the Golf Outing, Sporting Clays Event, and Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner"”as well as supporting Scout and unit-driven events, alumni committee initiatives, and donor cultivation efforts such as Friends of Scouting (FOS), merit badge sponsorships, and the James E. West Fellowship.Responsibilities:Event Management:Plan, execute, and evaluate the annual Golf Outing, Sporting Clays Event, and Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner to meet revenue and engagement goals.Recruit, train, and manage volunteer committees to assist with event planning and execution.Cultivate and solicit sponsorships, donors, and attendees for events.Oversee all aspects of event logistics, including promotion, marketing, and budget management.Ensure events align with Scouting's mission and provide a high-quality experience for all participants.Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:Identify and solicit new corporate sponsors and individual donors for events and programs.Assist with the cultivation and stewardship of donors to support Friends of Scouting, merit badge sponsorships, and James E. West Fellowships.Develop and implement strategies to engage and retain event donors and sponsors.Alumni and Community Engagement:Collaborate with the alumni committee to develop and launch events that foster alumni engagement and support.Support Scout and unit-driven fundraising initiatives by providing guidance and resources.Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including community leaders, corporate partners, and donors.Administrative Responsibilities:Prepare reports, budgets, and financial records for events and fundraising activities.Maintain accurate donor and sponsor information in the database.Ensure all fundraising activities meet the highest ethical standards and comply with applicable regulations.Provide direction for social media, publicity, and other marketing efforts to promote events and fundraising initiatives.Qualifications:A bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field is preferred but not required.A minimum of 3 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, event planning, or corporate sales is suggested.Proven ability to manage multiple events and projects simultaneously with attention to detail and deadlines.Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking and volunteer management.Demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting donors and sponsors.Familiarity with donor databases and event management software is a plus.Passion for Scouting's mission and a commitment to fostering positive youth development.Why Join Rainbow Council? Rainbow Council, Scouting America, serves the youth and families of Will, Grundy, and Kankakee Counties. Our mission is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. Join our dedicated team and help create life-changing opportunities for youth in our community.

Created: 2025-03-08