Job Title: Special Events & Development Coordinator

Reports To: Development & Communications Director

Location: Milwaukee, WI (Hybrid)

Job type: Full-Time (40 hours per week)

 

Organization Summary

Girls on the Run of Southeastern Wisconsin (GOTR-SEWI) is a nonprofit, youth development program that inspires girls in 3rd–8th grade to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Serving over 3,000 girls annually, the program runs for 8-weeks in the spring and fall with each season ending with a celebratory 5K giving each participant a tangible sense of accomplishment. We are committed to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential.

 

Position Summary
The Special Events & Development Coordinator plays a vital role in advancing Girls on the Run’s mission supporting the fundraising goals through donor engagement, event coordination, and administrative support. This role is responsible for planning and executing fundraising and stewardship events, maintaining donor databases, assisting with sponsorship and grant efforts, and supporting the overall development strategy of GOTR-SEWI. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, collaborative, and passionate about youth empowerment and nonprofit fundraising.

 

Key Responsibilities:

Special Events

• Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising and stewardship events including:

  • Sneaker Soiree (annual fundraising gala)

  • Golf Fore Girls Outing

  • Finish Line Council Event

  • Other Community Events

• Manage event logistics including timelines, vendors, venues, communications, registration, and volunteer needs.

• Secure sponsorships, auction items, fundraising activities, and in-kind donations to support event success.

• Collaborate with marketing staff to ensure promotional materials and event collateral align with brand and goals.

• Ensure event sponsor benefits are fulfilled during the event and pre/post event acknowledgements.

• Lead and manage day-of-event including set-up, volunteers, decor, food, etc. to ensure GOTR mission and attendee experience is top priority.

• Manage and develop budgets for each event aligning to the overall council budget.

• Set-up and manage event system (GiveSmart) for registration, auctions and other logistic details.

Development & Donor Engagement

• Support the implementation of the annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Executive Director and Development & Communications Director.

• Lead planning and execution of bi-annual giving campaigns including data tracking, solicitation lists and working with marketing to create campaign assets.

• Maintain accurate donor records in systems (e.g., Pinwheel), track gifts, generate donor reports and thank you communication, and support acknowledgement processes.

• Manage and oversee stewardship program cultivating donor relationships through email communication, donor recognition and appeals.

• Assist with researching prospective donors, corporate sponsors, and grant opportunities.

• Support grant writing and reporting.  Track grants in ASANA and provide accurate info.

• Oversee the SoleMates fundraising program, including Every Women’s Marathon.

Junior Board & Committee Oversight

• Serve as the staff liaison for the Junior Board providing leadership, guidance, and administrative support.

• Support Junior Board members in planning and executing their initiatives, capstone projects, board meeting breakout sessions and other efforts as needed.

• Oversee the engagement and coordination of event-related committees (e.g., Sneaker Soirée, Golf Outing), including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, tracking goals and action  items,communicating clear expectations that align with each event's goals and timelines.

• Cultivate meaningful relationships with committee members, encouraging continued involvement and stewardship.

• Ensure all board and committee activities are well-documented, mission-aligned, and contribute to fundraising and community engagement goals.

Administrative & Team Support

• Provide logistical and administrative support to the GOTR Leadership Team, Board of Directors and Young Professionals Board.

• Represent GOTR-SEWI at community events to build awareness and foster partnerships.

• Utilize Pinwheel, ASANA and GIveSmart to manage daily tasks, communication, event planning, and registration.

• Perform other duties as needed to support the mission of the organization specifically related to contributed income.

Qualifications & Skills

• Passion for the mission and vision of Girls on the Run.

• Ability to serve as a role model, exhibiting GOTR core values.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, event planning, fundraising, or a related field.

• 2+ years of relevant professional experience in event planning and/or nonprofit development.

• Excellent project management and organizational skills with keen attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Self-motivated, capable of working well independently and collectively with limited supervision.

• Proficiency in Google Docs, donor databases, and auction software (GiveSmart).

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.

• Must have reliable transportation and be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to meet deadlines.

• Experience in working in a mission-driven or youth-focused organization is preferred.

 

Compensation/Benefits Information:

• Full-time position, approximately 40 hours per week.

• Salary range: $44,000 - $50,000/annually.

• Simple IRA plan (up to 3% match).

• Office hours: Wednesdays each week, option to work from home other days.

• Flexible schedule, but must have the ability to check emails daily, attend weekly staff meetings, attend some weekend/evening activities such as Sneaker Soiree, 5K each season and other special events.

• Increased availability during the weeks of Sneaker Soiree, Golf Fore Girls, GOTR 5Ks (vacation blackout periods).

• Holiday & generous paid time off.

• Professional development opportunities.

 

This job description materially represents the duties and responsibilities of this position. However, employees may be asked to perform other job-related tasks as assigned. 

Preference given to resumes received by July 31, 2025.