Community Outreach & Engagement Manager-Greater Columbus

JOB SUMMARY

The Community Outreach & Engagement Manager is responsible for implementing all aspects of the WalkALS program – including meeting financial goals and implementing logistics for 2 Walks (Cincinnati, Dayton), 2 Lou Gehrig Day events (Cincinnati, Dayton) with Major League & Minor League Baseball.  The (CO&EM) also develops relationships with those holding 3rd party fundraising events, tracks and attends those events. Critical to the successful execution of this position is effective outreach and relationship development with our clients who have ALS and their family members to engage them in ALS United Ohio sponsored activities and fundraisers, as well as the pursuit of new financial sponsors. 

Essential Functions

• Build on and implement a comprehensive events fundraising plan which includes WalkALS income goals including corporate involvement (sponsorships, building corporate teams, corporate recruitment chair and cmte.), team-building and fundraising, communication and stewardship, marketing and outreach, and event day objectives.  2025 WalkALS program consists of 3 Walks with a $725,000 budgeted goal. (Cincinnati, Dayton & Columbus).  (2019 total for 3 Walks was $960,000.)  Greater Columbus Community Outreach & Engagement Manager is responsible for the Columbus WalkALS, Columbus Lou Gehrig Day, the Farm to Table(aux) gala event, as well as supporting and tracking Columbus Area DIY events.
• Secure and work to increase past sponsors, as well as recruit new businesses and corporations as sponsors.  Work with WalkALS walkers and Team Captains to determine potential relationships to bring new business supporters to the WalkALS program.
• Responsible for the recruitment, stewardship, and retention of strong Walk Committee Volunteers as well as building strong relationships with community partners.
• Responsible for the recruitment, stewardship, and retention of team captains and individual walkers; securing maximum income from each individual and team in assigned region.  Year-round community engagement and relationship development is critical through attending support/education & exchange groups and communicating and meeting with patients, caregivers, WalkALS Team Captains, participants and event sponsors.
• Meet weekly with Director of Philanthropy, President & CEO for discussion, collaboration and direction on all details related to assigned events. 
• Responsible for working with Cincinnati Reds and Dayton Dragons to plan and execute Lou Gehrig Day ALS Awareness events.      Secure sponsorships to cover costs for these awareness events.
• Ensure all fundraising and awareness events operate within budgetary guidelines. 
• Actively look for and work to develop first time and smaller corporate and family donors into larger donors, incorporating “moves management” (cultivation, solicitation, renewed contributions, moving donor from lower level to higher level) as part of stewardship. 
• Actively work with Greater Columbus Area Community Outreach & Engagement Manager and Director of Philanthropy (Development Team) to support and learn from one another, as well as working to meet overall fundraising goals and other event goals. 
• Work with Cincinnati and Dayton Care Services staff year-round to involve patients and families in awareness and fundraising activities.
• Work to achieve marketing and public relations objectives. Work in conjunction with Director of Philanthropy and President & CEO to prepare materials including: budgets, website copy, ad designs, press releases, reports, collateral materials, flyers, newsletter articles. This position will work with local media: tv, radio, newspapers, social media sites related to publicizing events and engaging the public, will arrange and participate in interviews, and will help prepare patients and caregivers for interviews.
• Lead contact, support and relationship builder with “DIY” Do-It-Yourself, 3rd party fundraising event planners.
• Recruit and manage volunteers.
• Consider development of new gala-type event – Farm to Table(aux) (one already being held in Columbus) for 2026.
• Other duties as assigned.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Maintain a working knowledge of ALS United Ohio programs and services.  Become familiar with organizational strategic plan and agree to work within the plan goals and objectives to move the organization forward.
• Provide vision, strategy, leadership, and execution of annual program goals and management for the WalkALS effort, with a goal to build corporate financial support, as well as Lou Gehrig Day and other fundraising and awareness events and “DIY” events.
• Help develop all new initiatives including collateral, budgeted expenses and new events, when appropriate.
• Develop media relationships with local tv, radio and print media in order to further awareness of ALS United Ohio, ALS and organizational events and activities.
• Report program progress to the President & CEO and Board, as coordinated through the Director of Philanthropy when requested.     
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Key Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of two-five years’ experience in fundraising, event planning/ management and marketing, with proven track record in securing corporate sponsors and experience in peer-to-peer fundraising. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite required, especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Experience with database management  (Blackbaud/Luminate/TeamRaiser) or similar database programs, needed. Ability to enter information, run reports and ability to analyze donor data and develop work plan around that information to help meet financial goals.
• Requires a specific room in your home to be dedicated to a home office with a desk to work from, space for computer, printer/scanner, work telephone, space for a file cabinet, book shelf, and any other office and event supplies needed.  Working from a couch or kitchen table as a “home office” is not acceptable.
• Must be comfortable with initiating traditional fundraising techniques, (i.e. overcoming objections, soliciting sponsorships, asking for the gift) and enjoy making direct contact, both by phone and in-person with constituents and potential donors.
• Experience with volunteer management required.
• Skilled communicator, with good interpersonal, verbal and written skills.
• Team player who enjoys interaction with professionals, peers, volunteers and those served by the organization.
• Physically fit and able to lift up to 35 lbs.
• Requires some travel within territory to get to events, visit donors, potential donors, etc.
• Requires occasional travel outside of Ohio for regional or national meetings (once or twice/yr). 
• Will require some weekend and evening work related to event dates.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Ability to drive rental truck to transport Walk Day materials to Walk site and assist and direct loading and unloading with volunteers and committee members.
• Must maintain required insurance on automobile driven for business purposes. 
• Must pass a satisfactory background check that includes drug testing and motor vehicle record check.

ALS United Ohio is an equal opportunity employer and believes that each team member makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities outlined in a job description. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each team member will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.