Development Coordinator (Part-Time)

About the Foundation
Three Rivers Park District Foundation connects everyone to the wonders of our parks by inspiring philanthropic support for Three Rivers Park District. Through fundraising and partnerships, the Foundation helps expand access to outdoor experiences and make parks more welcoming to all.

Position Overview
The Foundation seeks a personable, organized, and motivated Development Coordinator to support fundraising, donor engagement, and events. Reporting to the Executive Director, this individual will help advance initiatives such as Welcoming Waters, a campaign to improve lake access for people of all abilities.

A genuine connection to the Foundation’s mission is important. The role combines relationship-centered development work and meaningful event responsibilities with fundraising systems and communications. Success requires initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to take ownership of assigned work while collaborating with staff, board members, volunteers, and Park District colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Development and Donor Engagement

• Support fundraising campaigns through donor outreach, stewardship, research, correspondence, and follow-up.
• Assist the Executive Director with donor cultivation, meetings, materials, and ongoing relationship management; communicate professionally with donors and prospective supporters.
• Coordinate donor acknowledgments and pledge follow-up.

Fundraising Events and Community Engagement

• Support Summerbration, donor experiences, and Foundation participation in Park District festivals and community events, working alongside volunteer committees and Park District staff.
• Independently coordinate assigned event elements such as ticketing, registration, table assignments, guest records, and event materials.
• Assist with silent auctions, donation and payment processing, pledge tracking, and post-event reconciliation.
• Provide welcoming, hands-on support for event preparation, setup, guest engagement, execution, and breakdown, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Development Operations, Systems, and Communications

• Maintain accurate records, process gifts, and prepare fundraising reports in Little Green Light; use Auctria, Mailchimp, and other fundraising and communications platforms.
• Coordinate with the bookkeeper on donation tracking and reconciliation; draft and coordinate appeals, newsletters, and website content; assist with grant-related information and deadlines.
• Anticipate project needs, plan for timely input and approvals, and keep other priorities moving while awaiting feedback.
• Collaborate with board members and volunteers on Foundation activities while coordinating workload and priorities through the Executive Director.

Qualifications and Attributes
• Minimum five years of relevant nonprofit experience, preferably in development, fundraising, donor relations, or a related field; working knowledge of donor stewardship, gift acknowledgment, and charitable giving practices.
• Experience coordinating events and taking responsibility for event details and on-site execution.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, demonstrated through donor correspondence and relationships with donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with organization, reliability, attention to detail, initiative, discretion, sound judgment, and appropriate independence.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google Workspace; comfortable using donor databases and learning new fundraising systems.
• Enthusiasm for the Foundation’s mission, parks, outdoor recreation, and expanding access to nature.

Position Details
Part-time | Reports to Executive Director | Approximately 100 hours per month, with seasonal variation | $27 per hour.

Employer-sponsored health insurance and retirement benefits are not currently offered. Eligible employees receive paid leave and other benefits as required by applicable law.

Work Environment and Flexibility
Flexible hybrid arrangement combining home-based work with time at the Foundation’s Plymouth office and Park District locations. A mutually agreed-upon, generally consistent weekly schedule will provide predictable availability for collaboration while allowing reasonable flexibility for personal needs and seasonal demands. Regular in-person participation and some evening and weekend event work are expected.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Event work may involve transporting and setting up materials, lifting and carrying items up to 25 pounds, standing or walking, and participating in indoor and outdoor activities in varying weather, with or without reasonable accommodation. Local travel between work and event locations is expected.

Why Join the Foundation?
Make a meaningful contribution to a small, mission-driven organization. Work closely with the Executive Director and engaged community partners to strengthen donor relationships and expand access to the parks.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Three Rivers Park District Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available during the application process and for essential job functions.

How to Apply
Please submit a résumé and brief cover letter describing your relevant nonprofit experience and interest in the Foundation’s mission. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted as the hiring process progresses.