NAMIWalks Fundraising & Community Engagement Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

The NAMIWalks Fundraising & Community Engagement Manager leads the fundraising and community engagement efforts for NAMI Rochester’s NAMIWalks event. This role is accountable for growing revenue, participation, and community support by cultivating sponsors, recruiting teams and participants, engaging volunteer leaders, and stewarding key relationships throughout the year.

Working in partnership with NAMI Rochester staff and volunteers, this manager develops and carries out strategies that expand the event’s reach and deepen engagement with businesses, community organizations, and individuals. The ideal candidate is relationship-driven, goal-oriented, comfortable making connections and asking for support, and energized by bringing people together around NAMI’s mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FUNDRAISING & REVENUE GROWTH

• Lead strategies to achieve annual NAMIWalks revenue, participation, and retention goals.

• Monitor event performance and fundraising trends to identify opportunities, focus outreach, and adjust strategies throughout the Walk season.

• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of sponsorship, team, and community prospects and move relationships from introduction to commitment.

• Participate in NAMIWalks training, coaching, and planning opportunities and apply program best practices locally.

SPONSORSHIP & CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT

• Prospect, cultivate, solicit, renew, and steward corporate sponsors and community partners to achieve sponsorship goals.

• Develop new corporate and community relationships that expand the reach, visibility, and impact of NAMIWalks.

• Present sponsorship and partnership opportunities clearly and confidently, including direct fundraising asks and follow-up.

• Deepen sponsor engagement through opportunities such as employee participation, volunteer involvement, team building, and year-round connection to NAMI.

TEAM, PARTICIPANT & VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT

• Recruit and retain NAMIWalks teams, Team Captains, participants, and fundraisers from across the community.

• Coach and encourage Team Captains and participants to build their teams, fundraise, and engage their networks.

• Recruit, engage, and support volunteer leaders who can strengthen fundraising, recruitment, and community reach.

• Create engagement and cultivation opportunities that inspire continued participation and support.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS & STEWARDSHIP

• Build and maintain relationships with businesses, healthcare organizations, schools, civic and faith communities, community organizations, and other local partners.

• Represent NAMI Rochester and NAMIWalks at community events, meetings, presentations, and networking opportunities.

• Leverage existing supporters and community connections to identify new sponsors, teams, volunteers, participants, and partners.

• Maintain meaningful year-round relationships with key supporters and lead post-event stewardship and renewal efforts.

EVENT LEADERSHIP & COLLABORATION

• Work collaboratively with NAMI Rochester staff, volunteers, and community partners to support the successful delivery of NAMIWalks.

• Coordinate event-day plans, volunteer logistics, signage, supplies, schedules, and other operational materials.

• Partner closely with the NAMIWalks Operations Manager to ensure fundraising, sponsorship, participant, and community commitments are carried through effectively.

• Serve as a visible leader during NAMIWalks activities and on Walk Day, with a focus on supporter engagement and relationship stewardship.

• Help create a welcoming, mission-centered experience that strengthens supporters’ connection to NAMI Rochester.

PRIMARY MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• Achievement of annual NAMIWalks revenue and participation goals.

• Growth and retention of sponsors and corporate partners.

• Growth and retention of teams, participants, and fundraisers.

• Increased fundraising and engagement among NAMIWalks teams and participants.

• Development and retention of strong volunteer, corporate, and community relationships.

• Continued year-over-year growth in NAMIWalks engagement and support.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Three or more years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, sponsorship, business development, sales, community engagement, event fundraising, or a related field preferred.

• Demonstrated success building relationships, cultivating prospects, and securing financial or community support.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, presentation, and networking skills.

• Comfortable making fundraising asks and representing an organization within the community.

• Goal-oriented with the ability to use fundraising results and performance information to guide priorities and strategy.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple relationships and priorities simultaneously.

• Experience recruiting, engaging, or working with volunteers preferred.

• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.

• Associate's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience preferred.

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel locally for meetings, events, and community engagement.

To apply, please send your resume to june@namiroc.org