Development Assistant - Special Events

Description: Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to Illinois athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Illinois is dedicated to shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development. As a part of the Special Olympics Illinois team, you’ll join an energetic and hard-working group of individuals committed to transforming the lives of those we serve. Position Overview Special Olympics Illinois is actively recruiting for the role of Development Assistant – Special Events. This role is a temporary, part-time, paid position for the fall of 2024. Champions Ball is a black-tie gala and Special Olympics Illinois’ largest signature fundraising event. The Development Assistant will be the main point of contact for individuals looking to partake in the auction and serve as a key player in supporting the Champions Ball. In addition to Champions Ball, the Development Assistant will assist in donation outreach and communication, managing of attendee information and help with event execution for other Special Olympics Illinois fundraising events, including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and First Look for Charity. Primary Responsibilities Champions Ball – 75% Manage outreach and logistics for all silent auction donations and serve as the point of contact Maintain the silent auction inventory and prepare all items and packages Coordinate donation deliveries including picking up items from donors and businesses Oversee online auction logistics on the event website Create event day materials for the silent auction including package descriptions, item displays, and other materials as needed Lead auction volunteers at the Champions Ball on October 26 Assist with package distribution to winners and donor recognition after Champions Ball Assist Manager of Development - Special Events with attendee and sponsor data entry via Classy, the online fundraising platform First Look for Charity – 15% Manage outreach and logistics for all raffle donations and serve as the point of contact Maintain the raffle inventory and prepare all items and packages Coordinate donation deliveries, including picking up items from donors and businesses Create event day materials for the raffle including package descriptions, item displays, and more Assist Manager of Development - Special Events with attendee management and ticket processing Additional Events – 10% Assist with fundraising initiatives and event execution for the Special Olympics Illinois Bank of America Chicago Marathon team Collaborate with the Special Events team and volunteer leaders in executing the Chicago Young Professionals Board Fall Fundraising event Help to manage event email inboxes and respond to donor inquiries Support the Assistant Director of Development – Special Events with other event-related tasks as assigned Requirements: Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in related field recommended (marketing, communications, business/sales) or a Junior or Senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree High energy and passion for Special Olympics Illinois mission Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail Excellent verbal and written communication skills Customer service experience preferred Proficient with Microsoft Office and strong computer skills Comfortable with driving and navigating throughout the City of Chicago and Chicagoland area Work Schedule & Requirements Based primarily in the Chicago office. Flexible work schedule with the requirement to work in multiple locations, including often working from the Lombard office. Must be available on October 25 and 26, 2024 This is a part-time temporary role, not to exceed 30 hours per week, to be performed from late September 2024 – December 2024 Reports to Assistant Director of Development – Special Events Monday through Friday with some evenings and weekends as position/event demands Independent in-state travel required, including some overnight and weekend travel as an essential function of position Physical mobility required: must be able to climb stairs, assist in setup and breakdown at events, stand or sit for long periods of time, and load and unload vehicles Medium work required, which involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds; requires a good deal of walking, standing, and/or sitting with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls; includes sedentary work Close visual acuity required to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; operating motor vehicles Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required Offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a background check