Organization Description:

Wasatch Community Gardens (WCG) is a community-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people to grow and eat healthy, organic, local food. Since 1989, we have provided children, adults, and families in Salt Lake County with access to land and education for growing and eating fresh produce, while building and nurturing community connections through gardening and healthy food. We accomplish this through six main programs: Community Garden, Education, Youth & School Garden, Job Training, Advocacy & Justice, and Volunteer.

Position Overview:

The Sponsorship and Corporate Giving Director at WCG is a key member of the External Relations team, collaborating closely with the Director of Individual Giving and Grants Director, and reporting to the Director of External Relations. This role focuses on building and maintaining relationships with sponsors and corporate donors to support WCG’s annual fundraising campaigns, ongoing sponsorship programs, corporate-donor relations and support, and cause marketing partnerships.

Primary Responsibilities:

Create and execute an overarching plan for sponsorship and corporate giving that is integrated into WCG’s broader External Relations effort.

Sponsorships 25%

• Secure sponsorships for WCG’s signature events: Spring Plant Sale, Donor Breakfast, Tomato Sandwich Party, Gold Donor Event, Love Local Holiday Market, etc.

• Develop and implement strategies to grow WCG’s sponsorship levels and intentional pipelines, focusing on communications, cultivation, appreciation, and showcasing program impacts through events, one-on-one meetings, and other cultivation opportunities.

• Fulfillment of sponsor benefits as offered by WCG, including acknowledgement on WCG’s communications channels.

Corporate Giving 20%

• Review, update, plan and oversee WCG’s corporate sponsorship and giving program, including in-kind giving from business partners.

• Collaborate with corporations on relevant cause marketing opportunities compatible with WCG’s Gift Acceptance Policy.

• Plan and execute strategies for the growth of WCG’s Corporate Giving Program to ensure a robust pipeline of sponsors including communications, cultivation, appreciation, benefit events, and one-on-one meetings to better showcase program impacts.

Fundraising Campaigns and Events 20%

• Plan and execute fundraising events to cultivate and secure corporate sponsors, including WCG’s Love Local Holiday Market Tree Forest and one other annual corporate group-centered fundraising event.

• Develop strategies to boost the number and value of recurring sponsors and corporate contributions.

• Launch initiatives to recruit and cultivate first-time sponsors and corporate giving groups.

Fundraising Communications 5% 

• Provide content and collaborate with the Marketing & Communication Director to create corporate giving social media, FRESH e-newsletter content, and website acknowledgement of corporate giving groups.

• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communication Director to align efforts with the broader External Relations plan.

Donor Services and Administration 15%

• Manage the input of corporate gifts and sponsorships into CiViCRM, including producing personalized thank you packets. 

• Analyze data to track progress toward fundraising goals.

• Oversee the compilation of sponsor listings for WCG’s Annual Report. 

• Regularly review and recommend updates to WCG’s Gift Acceptance Policy and Gift Acknowledgment Guidelines to ensure compliance with current laws and best practices.

Special Projects 5%

• Plan and execute special fundraising projects as required.

Additional Responsibilities & Committees 10%

• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, team meetings, staff workdays, and trainings.

• Provide support at WCG’s Spring Plant Sale and other organizational events as needed.

• Provide External Relations participation in the Board Nomination Committee.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years previous development experience, including major gifts

• 3+ years experience in building sponsorship programming

• Strategy and planning experience

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, Google Suite, project management software, and a CRM system

• Experience with event planning

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field

• Professional accreditations

Hours:

This position is full-time (40 hours per week) and requires some evenings and weekends.

Salary and Benefits:

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience with a hiring range of $60,000-$65,000, and a salary growth range of $60,000-$80,000. Employment includes health insurance, 401K with match program, HSA, paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, Reproductive Health and Wellness Leave, and access to garden produce.

To Apply:
Please email the following materials to openings@wasatchgardens.org:

• Resume

• Names, titles, and phone numbers of three professional references

• Short response (one page total) to the following items:

1. Why are you interested in this position?

2. What strengths will you bring to our team and this position?

Please put “Director of Sponsorship” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be accepted until 5pm, Friday, November 15, 2024. Applications without references and responses to the questions above will not be considered. 

Applicants must be willing to submit to and clear a background check.

People of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. WCG is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment based on individual qualifications and without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, mental or physical disabilities, sexual orientation, or any other similarly protected status. It is our policy to comply with all applicable laws governing employment practices and not to discriminate on the basis of any unlawful criteria. WCG values the diverse backgrounds of its employees and works to create an open atmosphere of trust, honesty, and respect. WCG is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions.