Development & Fundraising Manager - 5K Event

Company: Sparks Group
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Job Summary/Company : Sparks Group is partnering with a mission-driven mental health organization to recruit a Development & Fundraising Manager focused on planning and executing fundraising activities for the Annual 5K Run & 1 Mile Fund Walk. This role leads all revenue-generating functions for the event—including donor engagement, sponsorship outreach, targeted email campaigns, and community-driven promotion—while supporting broader initiatives that advance mental health equity for underserved populations. Responsibilities : Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Ownership Plan and lead all fundraising activities tied to the Equity in Mental Health 5K. Drive toward the annual revenue goal of approximately $150,000 through peer-to-peer fundraising, donor cultivation, and sponsorship development. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, corporate sponsors, and new funding partners . Build and manage a sponsorship pipeline, including outreach, proposal development, follow-up, and recognition plans. Track and report fundraising progress, donor activity, and event revenue performance to leadership. Email Campaign Management & Donor Communications Create and deploy email campaigns to promote the 5K, recruit participants, activate fundraisers, and solicit donations. Develop segmented email strategies for participants, sponsors, past donors, and community partners. Write compelling email content that drives registration, fundraising engagement, and event awareness. Analyze performance metrics to optimize outreach, messaging, and donor conversion. Event Promotion & Community Outreach Promote the event within local communities, health networks, and partner organizations to boost participation and donations. Represent the organization in outreach efforts to cultivate new sponsorships and community supporters. Manage event-related web content and official product development to ensure accurate, compelling, and up-to-date information. Event Coordination & Program Support Coordinate staff, volunteers, vendors, and day-of logistics to ensure a smooth and successful event. Support planning and execution of the Equity in Mental Health Roundtable Conversation(s) and the Community Grants Program. Conduct needs assessments and analyze data to guide program improvements and future resource development. Grant & Partnership Development (Secondary Focus) Identify and evaluate grant and contract opportunities aligned with organizational priorities. Develop proposals, manage deliverables, and track outcomes to support program sustainability. Explore partnerships with medical organizations, community groups, and related stakeholder networks. Communications, Reporting & Content Support Prepare written materials such as presentations, issue briefs, updates, and donor-forward content. Ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with equity goals across all communications. Collaborate with Communications on post-production analytics for educational content and outreach materials. Qualifications/Background Profile : BA/BS and 3–5 years of relevant experience , or equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience in fundraising , donor cultivation, or securing event sponsorships. Experience developing and executing email campaigns , fundraising communications, or outreach initiatives. 3–5 years of experience supporting or managing grant opportunities in healthcare, mental health, or related fields. Strong writing, editing, and reporting skills. Experience coordinating large-scale events or community programs (preferred). Strong analytical, organizational, and prioritization abilities. Proficiency in MS Office and web-based research. This job is Hybrid Remote. Pay Range: Hourly $32.00 to $40.00 We offer several comprehensive benefits package including health and life insurance, paid and unpaid time off, and retirement and savings plans to qualifying employees. Download the Sparks Group mobile app from Apple App Store or Google Play . Sparks Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, citizenship, family status, genetic information, disability, or protect veteran status.

Keywords: Sparks Group, Sterling , Development & Fundraising Manager - 5K Event, PR / Public Relations , Washington, Virginia