Fundraising & Events Specialist Alexander Leigh Center for Autism (ALCA)
Salary: $45,000–$50,000 per year
Classification: Administration | Status: Exempt
Reports To: Finance Director
Help Us Raise Awareness, Build Community, and Help Children with Autism Thrive!
Alexander Leigh Center for Autism (ALCA) is seeking a passionate, creative, and highly organized Fundraising & Events Specialist to join our team. This position plays an important role in expanding ALCA's impact by raising funds, building community partnerships, increasing awareness, and creating meaningful events that support our staff, students and families.At ALCA, we believe in creating a safe, dignified, respectful, and nurturing environment where students can reach their maximum level of functional independence.
Our vision is simple: Helping children with autism and those who love them to THRIVE!
If you are a natural relationship-builder who enjoys networking, fundraising, event planning, and bringing people together around a meaningful mission, we would love to hear from you.
About the Role: The Fundraising & Events Specialist's primary responsibility is to raise funds and awareness for ALCA through internal and external events and community engagement.
Working closely with the Finance Director, ALCA staff, students, donors, volunteers, community partners, and the development team, this position will help plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising initiatives and events throughout the year.
Key Responsibilities
- Secure donor and sponsorship funding to support ALCA's mission and programs.
- Build and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, community partners, and other supporters.
- Attend Chamber Mixers, networking events, and other community gatherings to increase ALCA's visibility and develop new relationships.
- Collaborate with the development team to create and maintain the annual fundraising and events calendar.
- Assist with the development and tracking of the annual fundraising and events budget.
- Help develop and project-manage internal events, including in-service days, monthly field trips, open houses, check presentations, and other school activities.
- Help develop and project-manage external events and fundraisers, including the annual gala, community partner events, Taproom Takeovers, and other fundraising initiatives.
- Coordinate event logistics, including planning, communications, volunteers, materials, setup, execution, and breakdown.
- Recruit and coordinate volunteers for events and fundraising activities.
- Maintain accurate donor records in DonorPerfect and run reports as needed.
- Prepare and deliver acknowledgements for donor contributions, gifts, and donations.
- Send timely and personalized thank-you notes to donors and supporters.
- Create and maintain internal communications boards as needed.
- Follow all safety, crisis intervention, confidentiality, and organizational procedures.
- Maintain confidentiality of student, parent, employee, and organizational information.
- Maintain regular, consistent, and punctual attendance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic professional who is comfortable connecting with people, managing multiple priorities, and representing ALCA in the community.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in fundraising and events.
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
- Creative, energetic, and comfortable engaging with a wide range of people.
- Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed fundraising goals.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Excellent problem-solving and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced environment.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Professional and respectful conduct with students, families, coworkers, donors, and community members.
- Ability to remain calm and solution-focused in challenging situations.
- Willingness to learn, grow, and receive feedback.
- Ability to lead by example.
- Ability to obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certification if requested or required.
- Passionate about fundraising for our cause!
What Success Looks LikeIn this role, success means more than meeting fundraising goals. It means building lasting relationships and creating opportunities for our community to connect with ALCA and its mission.The successful candidate will be someone who can confidently represent ALCA in the community, turn ideas into well-executed events, cultivate donor relationships, inspire volunteers, and work collaboratively with staff to make each initiative successful.
Position Expectations
All ALCA employees are expected to:
- Demonstrate honesty, safety, trust, and strong communication.
- Build positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, donors, and community members.
- Follow ALCA policies, procedures, work rules, organizational structure, and chain of command.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding student, employee, human resources, and organizational information.
- Participate in ongoing professional development, trainings, in-services, and educational opportunities.
- Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and solution-focused team environment.
- Follow ALCA safety procedures and use protective equipment when applicable.
- Demonstrate a commitment to supporting individuals with autism and other disabilities.
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
This position involves a combination of office, school, and event-site responsibilities. The successful candidate should be able to:
- Remain seated or standing for extended periods while working at a desk, attending meetings, or overseeing events.
- Use computers, telephones, printers, and other office equipment.
- Occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and retrieve materials.
- Lift, carry, push, or pull office and event materials.
- Move throughout the office, school, and event locations.
- Frequently walk throughout event sites, including long distances, stairs, and uneven or outdoor terrain.
- Lift and move event materials and equipment, typically up to 25–30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds with assistance.
- Assist with event setup and breakdown, including moving tables, chairs, signage, décor, and other materials.
- Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and wind.
- Maintain focus and productivity in environments with moderate noise levels.
- Visually scan the environment while moving throughout the building, classrooms, and outdoor areas.
This position may involve exposure to human body fluids, biological agents, cleaning chemicals, hazardous materials, and/or elevated noise levels.
Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.Equal Employment Opportunity
Alexander Leigh Center for Autism is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer.
We are committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Join the ALCA Team
If you are passionate about fundraising, community engagement, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children with autism and their families, we encourage you to apply.
Come help us build connections, grow our community, and help children with autism and those who love them THRIVE!
Pay: $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
