Development and Engagement Lead

Samaritan is seeking a candidate for the Development & Engagement Lead position. This person will work closely with the Development & Communications Director to advance Samaritan’s fundraising and community engagement efforts, supporting the organization’s mission to connect mind, body, and spirit so individuals, families, organizations, and communities thrive.

The ideal candidate is a proactive, trustworthy self-starter who takes ownership of their work and follows through with care and attention to detail. This person brings a steady presence, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with both confidence and grace. They enjoy building relationships, take initiative, and aren’t afraid to make thoughtful decisions. You notice what needs to be done, take action, and keep things moving forward.

This role is empowered to make day-to-day operational decisions related to events, communications, and donor engagement within established goals and budgets. The ideal candidate is curious, resourceful, and solutions-oriented, with a natural ability to anticipate needs and look for ways to improve how things are done, while working in close partnership with the Development & Communications Director on broader fundraising priorities and direction.

The Development & Engagement Lead will handle confidential information and represent Samaritan in interactions with donors, partners, and the community. The ability to speak to our spiritually integrated care philosophy, and reflect on how personal values shape your approach to this work, is important.

Summary:

The Development & Engagement Lead plays a key role in implementing Samaritan’s fundraising and community engagement activities. In partnership with the Development & Communications Director and a team of freelancers and volunteers, this role manages core operational functions that support annual development goals.

Responsibilities include management of the donor database and stewardship processes, coordination and execution of key fundraising events, and implementation of digital engagement efforts that strengthen relationships with individuals, businesses, and community partners. This position helps ensure that donor communications, events, and engagement activities are organized, consistent, and aligned with Samaritan’s mission and priorities, while strategic direction and fundraising priorities are developed in partnership with the Development & Communications Director.

Donor Relations & Systems

• Supports donor stewardship for general donors and assists with major donor tracking.
• Manage donor database (Donorview), including gift processing, data integrity, and reporting
• Prioritize donor stewardship activities, ensuring timely acknowledgments, accurate tracking, and consistent engagement workflows.
• Maintain and update donor records (contact information, engagement history, etc.)
• Utilize Donorview automations to create thoughtful donor welcome and onboarding processes
• Assist with tracking and coordination of grant-related activities and reporting

Event Planning & Community Engagement

• Implement event strategy and goals established in partnership with the Development & Communications Director.
• Develop and manage event timelines, budgets, and logistics
• Coordinate work of vendors, freelancers, and volunteers involved in event planning and execution.
• Recruit and support volunteer committees
• Oversee production of event materials
• Support community outreach and maintain presentation calendar

Communications & Digital Engagement

• Develop and manage social media calendar and execute postings in alignment with communications priorities established by the Development & Communications Director
• Monitor website and coordinate updates consistent with established messaging and branding guidelines

Role Priorities

• Donor stewardship and database management
• Event planning and execution
• Digital engagement and communications execution
• Administrative coordination and process improvement

Success in this role includes:

• Gift acknowledgments completed within 48 hours
• Accurate and up-to-date donor database
• Events delivered on time and within budget
• Communications calendar maintained 3–4 weeks in advance
• Donor engagement workflows implemented and followed
• Effective coordination with Director, vendors, and volunteers

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, marketing, nonprofit management, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in development, communications, events, or related role
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through with attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort interacting with donors, partners, and community members
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make day-to-day operational decisions within established goals and guidelines
• Experience working with donor databases (DonorView or similar CRM) and coordinating events preferred
• Comfort using digital tools for communications, including  social media, website updates, and email platforms
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Mission & Values Alignment

• Demonstrates respect for the spiritual dimension of each person’s life and its role in healing, growth, and resilience
• Shows appreciation for Samaritan’s spiritually integrated approach, honoring diverse beliefs and experiences in relationships with colleagues, clients, donors, and community partners
• Contributes to a culture of belonging, dignity, and compassion in all interactions

Reports to: Development & Communications Director (DCD)

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt

Compensation: $25/hr.

About Samaritan: Join our Mission! We connect mind, body and spirit so individuals, families, organizations and communities thrive.

Since 1970, Samaritan has been serving individuals of all ages, and of all walks of life in the Fox Valley region and surrounding areas. We specialize in offering spiritually integrated care according to what is relevant to each client and circumstance. Samaritan views a person’s spirit as integral to their emotional healing and growth. Spirituality in its many expressions offers hope, inspiration and direction when integrated in the work we do. Samaritan is not a religious organization.

Join our Team! Our commitment to a holistic approach to mental health care that honors spiritual and religious diversity informs the work done by all team members at Samaritan and makes working with us a rewarding experience.

 To Apply: Email cover letter and resume to hr@samaritanfoxvalley.com