About Publicolor
Publicolor is an award-winning nonprofit organization that empowers under-resourced New York City public school students to reach their academic and career potential through the power of color, design, education, and community engagement. For 30 years, Publicolor has transformed hundreds of schools and community spaces while providing thousands of students with hands-on learning experiences, academic support, paid internships, and pathways to college and careers.
Publicolor is seeking an experienced, relationship-oriented Director of Events to lead our fundraising events program. Nonprofit fundraising event management experience is required. Candidates without demonstrated experience leading fundraising events for a nonprofit organization will not be considered.
We are looking for someone who is upbeat, warm, personable, and genuinely enjoys connecting with people. Reporting to the Founder + President, the Director of Events will lead Publicolor's signature annual gala and other fundraising and cultivation events. Our annual gala has exceptional donor, sponsor, and attendee retention, and we seek someone who will build on that success while welcoming new supporters and ensuring longtime donors and partners feel valued and inspired to return year after year.
If interested, please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing your interest in Publicolor and your relevant experience to [email protected]. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Key Responsibilities
Event Strategy & Fundraising
- Partner with the Founder + President and the Development team to develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy for events that supports organizational revenue goals.
- Increase sponsorship revenue, ticket sales, and donor engagement.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with sponsors, donors, Board members, volunteers, committees, and event supporters.
Event Planning & Production
- Lead all aspects of planning and execution for the annual gala and other fundraising and stewardship events, including leading, training, and supervising staff, interns, volunteers, and event committees involved in these activities.
- Manage budgets, timelines, vendors, logistics, registration, guest experience, volunteers, and on-site event management.
- Ensure every event reflects Publicolor's mission, brand, and commitment to excellence.
Sponsorship & Partnership Development
- Solicit corporate sponsorships, auction packages, and in-kind donations through proactive outreach.
- Partner with Board members to leverage their networks and strengthen sponsorships and attendance.
- Assist with sponsorship fulfillment and recognition.
Event Marketing
- Assist with invitations, event collateral, sponsorship materials, digital communications, and promotional campaigns.
- Ensure consistent messaging and branding across all event materials.
Donor Stewardship & Database Management
- Coordinate with the Director of Database Management to maintain accurate records of donor interactions, sponsorships, gifts, attendance, and event engagement.
- Ensure timely post-event stewardship, including acknowledgments, thank-you letters, sponsorship fulfillment, and donor follow-up.
- Analyze event outcomes and prepare reports that measure financial performance, attendance, sponsorship growth, and return on investment.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate is a naturally warm, enthusiastic, and engaging personality with a genuine passion for building long-term relationships with donors, sponsors, Board members, volunteers, and colleagues.
Required Qualifications
- 5–7 years of senior-level nonprofit fundraising event management experience.
- Demonstrated success managing fundraising galas serving 400+ guests.
- Proven success securing corporate sponsorships and cultivating donor relationships.
- Strong fundraising, project management, leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, supervise staff and volunteers, and confidently solicit sponsors, donors, and auction contributions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor database software.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience securing in-kind donations and managing cultivation events including marathons.
- Bachelor's degree in Event Management or a related field.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $90,000–$100,000 annually.
Competitive benefits include medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, life, disability, and accident insurance, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan.
Work Schedule
Location: New York City
- Hybrid schedule: Four days in the office and one remote workday each week.
- Occasional evenings, weekends, and some Saturdays at school sites are required.
How to Apply
Please submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing your interest in Publicolor and your relevant experience to [email protected].
Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- Do you have at least 5 years of senior-management events experience working for a nonprofit?
Work Location: In person
