Development & Donor Relations Coordinator

Development & Donor Relations Coordinator Light the Way Foundation Independent Contractor (1099) | Approximately 40 Hours Per Month $30.00 per hour Beaufort & Jasper Counties, South Carolina About Light the Way Foundation Light the Way Foundation is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial relief to residents of Beaufort and Jasper Counties who are pursuing long-term recovery from substance use disorders. Our mission is to help remove financial barriers that can stand between an individual and sustained recovery while working with community partners and service providers to make every donated dollar go as far as possible. As the Foundation continues to grow, we are seeking a motivated, personable, community-minded individual to help us build lasting donor relationships, expand our community presence, and develop a sustainable fundraising program. Position Summary Light the Way Foundation is seeking a Development & Donor Relations Coordinator to grow the Foundation's donor base and fundraising capacity actively. This is a relationship-driven position for someone who enjoys meeting people, building genuine connections, communicating a meaningful mission, and developing those relationships into long-term support for the Foundation. The Coordinator will focus primarily on donor development, donor engagement, and community partnerships and will also coordinate the Foundation's primary annual fundraising event. This position will intentionally start as a limited, part-time 1099 role as Light the Way Foundation builds its fundraising program. Our goal is for this role to grow alongside the Foundation, with increased hours and responsibilities as fundraising expands and ultimately transition into a full-time position. We are looking for someone who is excited by the opportunity to help build that program from the ground up and potentially grow with the organization long term. Primary Responsibilities

• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with current Light the Way Foundation donors.
• Identify and cultivate prospective individual donors.
• Develop relationships with local businesses, community leaders, and potential corporate sponsors.
• Conduct donor outreach through meetings, phone calls, email, and community engagement.
• Develop strategies to increase recurring donations and long-term donor participation.
• Maintain an organized pipeline of prospective donors, supporters, and community partners.
• Coordinate donor follow-up, acknowledgments and stewardship.
• Assist with fundraising campaigns and donor communications throughout the year.
• Identify sponsorship, partnership, and community fundraising opportunities.
• Represent Light the Way Foundation at appropriate community and networking events.
• Develop and coordinate the Foundation's primary annual fundraising event, including sponsorships, vendors, donor participation, and event logistics.
• Work with Foundation leadership to establish fundraising priorities and strategies.
• Provide regular updates on donor activity, prospective relationships, fundraising opportunities, and results.

Who We Are Looking For We care more about someone's ability to build relationships, engage the community, and generate support for our mission than a specific degree or traditional nonprofit résumé. Strong candidates may have experience in:

• Nonprofit development or fundraising
• Business development
• Sales
• Community relations
• Donor relations
• Hospitality
• Banking or financial services
• Real estate
• Marketing
• Event planning
• Other relationship-driven professions

The ideal candidate will be:

• Personable and comfortable starting conversations and developing new relationships.
• Confident communicating with business owners, community leaders, and potential donors.
• Organized and consistent with follow-up.
• Self-directed and comfortable managing their own priorities.
• A strong verbal and written communicator.
• Professional and trustworthy when representing the Foundation.
• Motivated by measurable growth and results.
• Genuinely connected to the mission of helping individuals pursue long-term recovery.

Existing relationships within Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, Hardeeville, and the surrounding Lowcountry community are strongly preferred. Schedule & Contractor Structure This position will initially operate as an independent contractor (1099) engagement. The initial scope is expected to require approximately 40 hours per month, with flexibility regarding when and how the work is completed based on donor meetings, community opportunities, and agreed-upon Foundation priorities. Some daytime meetings and occasional evening or weekend availability may be necessary for community activities and the annual fundraising event. Additional hours may be approved as fundraising activity grows. This is intended to be a growth position. As the Foundation develops a larger and more sustainable donor base, we intend to expand the position's hours and responsibilities and ultimately transition the role into a full-time position. Compensation $30.00 per hour The initial engagement will generally be limited to approximately 40 hours per month, or $1,200 per month, unless additional hours are approved. We will review compensation, available hours, and the scope of the position as the Foundation's fundraising capacity grows. What Success Looks Like This is not simply a position focused on asking people for donations. Success means helping Light the Way Foundation build a strong and sustainable community of supporters. We want the Development & Donor Relations Coordinator to:

• Strengthen relationships with existing donors.
• Consistently develop new qualified donor relationships.
• Increase recurring and long-term charitable support.
• Build relationships with businesses and community leaders.
• Expand the Foundation's visibility within Beaufort and Jasper Counties.
• Develop successful sponsorship and fundraising opportunities.
• Execute a successful annual fundraising event.
• Help create a fundraising program capable of supporting the continued growth of the Foundation.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to get involved during the early stages of Light the Way Foundation, help shape its donor development program, and grow into a full-time leadership role as the organization expands. Pay: From $30.00 per hour Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Experience:

• Donor engagement: 2 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Bluffton, SC (Required)

Work Location: Remote