A development coordinator, also known as a development assistant or a fundraising coordinator, assists in the organization of fundraising efforts for a nonprofit organization, university, or other company with a development department. The development coordinator assists with administrative tasks such as special event planning and coordination of donors, sponsors, and volunteers in order to help with fundraising. A development coordinator is usually part of a development team that includes a special events planner, marketing or communications officer, and a development manager.
Under the direction of a special event planner or development manager, the development coordinator usually plays a large role in the execution of special fundraising events. These individuals are usually in charge of sending out event invitations, keeping track of RSVPs, and serving as the first point of contact for members of the public with questions about the event. The coordinator may also be in charge of booking the venue, entertainment, and food for the event, as well as organizing activities such as silent auctions and raffles. In addition to assisting with the event itself, the coordinator may also assist with the pre-event stages of a planning committee. For example, in an organization that relies on volunteer committees to plan events, the coordinator might assist in the coordination of those committee meetings booking the date, venue, and refreshments, as well as taking meeting minutes.
While development coordinators are not usually in charge of directly negotiating sponsorship agreements, they do assist in the process. The development manager, for example, is usually in charge of identifying other organizations that could benefit from the publicity and advertising that comes with sponsoring a special fundraising event. The coordinator will collect and record the funds and ensure that the organization receives the agreed-upon exposure on event materials once an organization agrees to sponsor a special event or otherwise make a donation. During special fundraising campaigns, the development coordinator may also be in charge of mass mailings to solicit donations, sponsorship, or bequests.
The development coordinator may also serve as an executive assistant to the department’s director or manager, depending on the size and needs of the department. This position is typically responsible for managing the department head’s schedule and itinerary. It could also entail responding to the development manager’s emails and phone calls, as well as serving as a general gatekeeper.