Fundraising Specialist

Title: Fundraising Specialist

Immediate Supervisor: Grants Manager

Staff Supervised: None 

Job Classification: Exempt, Full Time

Organization Overview

United Way of Acadiana is committed to serving Acadia, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, Iberia, and Vermilion parishes. United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our community. Our mission: to unite people and organizations with passion, expertise, and resources to create more opportunities for a better life. Our vision: an educated, prosperous, and safe Acadiana where all individuals and families are empowered to achieve their full potential.

Basic Job Summary

The Fundraising Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing fundraising initiatives that generate philanthropic support for United Way of Acadiana's mission and strategic priorities. Working within the Office of Grants & Development, this position focuses on donor cultivation, corporate partnerships, sponsorship development, annual giving campaigns, workplace giving, fundraising events, and donor stewardship while collaborating with grant-funded program development initiatives. 

The Fundraising Specialist serves as a relationship builder who identifies new revenue opportunities, strengthens existing donor relationships, and assists in diversifying United Way of Acadiana's funding portfolio through strategic fundraising initiatives.

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Occasionally, an employee might be asked to carry/transport heavy items up to 40lbs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Annual Fundraising

• Develop and implement annual fundraising strategies.
• Coordinate annual giving campaigns.
• Manage online fundraising initiatives.
• Increase individual donor participation.
• Develop donor acquisition and retention strategies.
• Assist with year-end giving campaigns.
• Monitor fundraising performance metrics.
• Track campaign effectiveness and return on investment.

Corporate Partnerships

• Cultivate relationships with corporate partners.
• Develop sponsorship opportunities.
• Coordinate workplace giving campaigns.
• Secure corporate donations and in-kind gifts.
• Build long-term corporate engagement strategies.
• Coordinate employee volunteer engagement opportunities.
• Develop customized sponsorship packages.
• Prepare presentations for prospective corporate partners.

Donor Relations

• Identify and cultivate prospective donors.
• Coordinate donor meetings and presentations.
• Maintain regular communication with donors.
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgments.
• Develop donor recognition initiatives.
• Manage stewardship activities.
• Coordinate donor appreciation events.
• Maintain confidentiality of donor information.

Major Gifts Support

• Research prospective major donors
• Assist with donor cultivation strategies.
• Prepare donor briefing materials.
• Coordinate major gift solicitations.
• Track donor interactions using CRM software.
• Assist with donor impact reports.
• Support planned giving initiatives.

Foundation and Community Relations

• Work collaboratively with the Grants Team to identify funding opportunities.
• Coordinate foundation site visits.
• Develop community partnerships.
• Represent United Way at community meetings.
• Promote organizational impact.
• Maintain relationships with civic organizations and community leaders.

Workplace Campaign Responsibilities

Corporate & Workplace Giving

• Manage and coordinate United Way of Acadiana's annual Workplace Campaign program. 
• Identify, recruit, and cultivate new workplace campaign partners throughout Acadiana. 
• Maintain strong relationships with existing corporate partners to increase employee participation and overall campaign results. 
• Conduct campaign planning meetings with company leadership and Employee Campaign Coordinators (ECCs). 
• Develop customized workplace campaign strategies that align with each organization's culture and philanthropic goals. 
• Coordinate workplace campaign kickoff events, employee presentations, and volunteer engagement opportunities. 
• Deliver engaging presentations highlighting United Way of Acadiana's mission, community impact, and funded programs. 
• Provide campaign materials, promotional resources, pledge forms, and digital giving information to participating organizations. 
• Monitor campaign progress and provide regular updates, coaching, and support to Employee Campaign Coordinators. 
• Assist companies in implementing online giving platforms and electronic pledge systems when applicable. 
• Coordinate corporate volunteer opportunities that complement workplace giving campaigns. 
• Recognize and steward workplace campaign donors, Employee Campaign Coordinators, and corporate partners through thank-you communications and appreciation events. 
• Develop strategies to increase leadership giving, corporate sponsorships, and employee participation. 
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications Department to develop workplace campaign marketing materials, social media content, newsletters, and success stories. 
• Maintain accurate records of campaign activities, donor interactions, corporate contacts, and campaign results in Salesforce. 
• Prepare campaign reports, participation metrics, revenue projections, and post-campaign evaluations. 
• Identify opportunities to transition workplace donors into major gifts, recurring giving, planned giving, and volunteer leadership opportunities. 
• Represent United Way of Acadiana at chamber events, networking functions, business associations, and community events to promote workplace giving opportunities. 
• Stay informed of best practices in employee giving, corporate philanthropy, and workplace engagement. 

Education

Bachelor's degree in:

• Nonprofit Management
• Business Administration
• Public Administration
• Marketing
• Communications
• Philanthropy
• Related field

Equivalent experience may be considered.

Experiences

Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in:

• Fundraising
• Development
• Corporate Relations
• Sponsorship Development
• Major Gifts
• Nonprofit Development

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Fundraising best practices
• Donor stewardship
• Corporate philanthropy
• Annual giving programs
• Sponsorship development
• Grant funding environments
• CRM systems
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Donor databases
• Community engagement strategies

Ability to:

• Build strong relationships.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Analyze fundraising data.
• Meet fundraising goals.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Deliver professional presentations.
• Think strategically.
• Exercise sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or willingness to obtain.
• Experience with United Way campaigns.
• Experience managing donor databases.
• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang, or similar CRM platforms.
• Experience writing sponsorship proposals.
• Experience coordinating fundraising events.
• Experience with workplace giving campaigns.
• Familiarity with grant-funded nonprofit organizations.

Requirements Before Hire  

• Proof and maintenance of a valid driver’s license  
• Proof and maintenance of Vehicle Insurance and reliable transportation  
• Produce a current physical and cleared Louisiana State Police Background Check