Event and Stewardship Manager

Title: Event and Stewardship Manager

Ministry: Development

Reports to: Division Director of Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay: $63,000 - $78,000

Who We Are

At Hesed House, ending homelessness isn’t a distant aspiration — it is the mission that drives every action we take. We are the second-largest homeless shelter in Illinois and the largest outside the city of Chicago, and a nationally recognized model for comprehensive, compassionate care. Located in Aurora, IL, our campus serves more than 1,000 individuals and families each year, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our Comprehensive Resource Center brings together highly skilled professionals and community partners to provide shelter, meals, clothing, medical care, legal services, substance abuse counseling, employment coaching, housing assistance, and so much more. We believe every person deserves dignity and the chance to hope again — and we show up every day to make that real. 

More than 7,500 volunteers from over 90 area churches, businesses, and organizations partner with us annually. Their generosity, alongside the financial support of our donors, makes our life-changing work possible. 

The Opportunity

This is more than an events job. It is a chance to change lives by creating meaningful experiences that connect donors with the mission they love — and by ensuring every contributor feels genuinely seen, valued, and inspired to give again.

The Event & Stewardship Manager is a critical member of our Development Team, responsible for planning and executing a portfolio of mission-driven donor events while building the stewardship systems that turn one-time gifts into lasting partnerships. This dual-focused role demands both an eye for detail and a heart for people — someone who can manage a seamless gala and write a thank-you letter that genuinely moves a donor.

The ideal candidate is a skilled event professional and relationship-builder who is energized by the intersection of logistics and storytelling. You will be someone who takes pride in getting every detail right — and who understands that every detail exists in service of the people we serve.

What You Will Do

Plan and Execute Mission Driven Events

You will own Hesed House’s event portfolio, ensuring every gathering reflects our mission with excellence and warmth. This includes: 

• Working with the Division Director of Development to design and execute a calendar of donor events — including galas, donor gatherings in person and virtually — that engage, inspire, and deepen commitment to Hesed House
• Manage all logistics end-to-end: budget oversight, venue sourcing, vendor negotiation, catering, audiovisuals, and run-of-show.   
• Work with the Derby Committee and Director of Development to create and execute an annual gala, managing all logistics end-to-end, including budget oversight, venue sourcing, vendor negotiation, catering, av, and run-of show. Leverage committee for creation and cost-effective procurement of auction items / packaging, as well as sponsorship solicitation and tracking.   
• Lead audience segmentation, invitation design, RSVP tracking, and seating arrangements to ensure every guest has a purposeful, personal experience 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event vendors and venue partners, negotiating contracts by working with vendors and Hesed House operational staff and maintaining relationships.   
• Evaluate event outcomes and deliver post-event reports with data-driven recommendations for future programming 

Steward Donors with Intention

Exceptional stewardship turns a gift into a relationship. You will build and manage the systems that ensure every donor — at every level — feels the full impact of their generosity:

• Develop and distribute annual impact reports, financial updates, and personalized acknowledgment communications that illustrate how donor funds change lives 
• Create and maintain donor recognition programs, giving societies, and named scholarship or endowment lifecycles • Execute cultivation strategies to upgrade donors, renew lapsed gifts, and foster long-term loyalty 
• Maintain accurate, timely stewardship records in Raiser’s Edge NXT 
• Partner with the Division Director of Development to identify and prioritize key donor segments for targeted outreach  

Collaborate Across the Development Team

Hesed House's fundraising success is a team effort. You will:

• Play an active supporting role in major fundraising initiatives, including our signature Derby event 
• Collaborate with Marketing and Finance to align event and stewardship strategy with organizational priorities 
• Surface powerful stories from program staff and translate them into compelling donor communications and event content 
• Bring a collaborative, solutions-focused spirit to every project and every team interaction

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented professional with a genuine heart for serving people and a proven ability to create exceptional experiences. The strongest candidates will bring:

• Event & Stewardship Excellence (Required) • 1–3 years of experience in event planning, fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit management — this experience is essential 
• Demonstrated ability to manage events end-to-end: budgets, vendors, logistics, and guest experience 
• Experience working with committees and volunteers for deep, effective relationships and results.   
• Experience developing donor stewardship materials, recognition programs, or impact communications 
• Experience working with donor CRM databases; Raiser’s Edge NXT experience strongly preferred.

Communication Skills

• Exceptional written communication skills — event copy, and impact reports with clarity and warmth. 
• Strong verbal communication skills; you are confident and gracious representing Hesed House with donors and partners. 
• Creative instincts for developing content and event experiences that resonate with a diverse donor community. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365; familiarity with Canva or similar design tools a plus. 

People and Mission Orientation

• A deep desire to serve — you are energized by connecting donors with a cause that truly changes lives 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; you build trust naturally and enjoy engaging with diverse individuals and communities 
• Comfort and enthusiasm working within a faith-based organization while engaging effectively with secular partners and donors 
• A collaborative spirit combined with self-motivation and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently

Organizational Strength

• Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple overlapping events and stewardship touchpoints without dropping a detail 
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment; brings strong problem-solving instincts and a positive, can-do attitude 
• Curiosity and a continuous improvement mindset — always asking how we can make the donor experience better and fundraising more effective.

Work Environment

This role is based at our Aurora, IL campus. It requires a professional, business-casual appearance and a welcoming demeanor when representing Hesed House at events and donor meetings. Due to event schedules, some evenings and weekends are a regular part of the role. 

Additional requirements:

• Must pass DCFS and criminal background checks 
• Must be able to comfortably and consistently navigate stairs
• Must be able to move event materials and supplies as needed 

Why Hesed House?

When you join Hesed House, you join a community of people who believe that everyone deserves dignity and the chance to hope again. You will come to work every day knowing that the events you create and the relationships you steward directly feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter families, and help people rebuild their lives. This is a place where excellence is celebrated, creativity is welcomed, and your work truly matters.