James River Association

James River Association

Donor Engagement Coordinator

Location: Richmond, VA
Telework: Hybrid
Experience: Early to Mid Career
Number of Openings: 1
Job Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $45,000 to $55,000 annually
Reports to: Assistant Director of Development

The James River Association (JRA) is a nonprofit organization on a mission to protect the James River and connect people to it. JRA is excited to announce an opening for a Donor Engagement Coordinator. In this role, you will support donor engagement efforts through event planning, sponsorship coordination, guest communications, and development operations that help strengthen relationships and generate philanthropic support for JRA’s mission.

This position will play an important role in coordinating fundraising and cultivation events, managing event related logistics and communications, supporting sponsorship fulfillment, and helping create meaningful experiences for donors, partners, and community members. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys details, relationship building, and bringing people together in support of a mission driven organization. We are looking for someone with strong communication and organizational skills, a passion for event planning and donor engagement, and a personal interest in the James River.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate logistics for fundraising, donor cultivation, and community engagement events across the James River watershed
• Support event planning and execution, including timelines, vendor coordination, site visits, materials preparation, guest management, and day of event support
• Help manage event communications, including invitations, guest updates, sponsor communications, and post event follow up
• Assist with sponsorship coordination, including tracking benefits, preparing materials, managing deliverables, and supporting sponsor stewardship
• Maintain accurate event records, budgets, invoices, payment tracking, and related account information
• Support donor engagement efforts by helping manage guest lists, seating, RSVPs, donor details, and event follow through
• Coordinate with volunteers, staff, vendors, committees, and partners to support seamless event execution
• Partner with Development and Marketing teammates to align event messaging, timelines, printed materials, and donor communications
• Assist with creating development and event materials such as sponsorship packets, brochures, signage, programs, and other engagement tools
• Track event outcomes, participation, and engagement details to support reporting and future planning
• Provide administrative and project support for additional development activities, donor stewardship efforts, and team priorities as assigned

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and details at once
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high level of professionalism
• Ability to build positive relationships with donors, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, board members, and internal staff
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a clear sense of priorities and goals
• Takes initiative and follows through on tasks, communications, and deliverables in a timely manner
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast paced environment
• Passion for conservation, community, and mission driven work
• Promotes and adheres to JRA’s mission, vision, and values, along with organizational policies and applicable laws, in a fair and equitable manner

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience
• 2 or more years of experience in event planning, fundraising support, donor engagement, hospitality, marketing, or a related field
• Experience coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders and moving parts
• Ability to manage logistics, timelines, and communications with care and consistency
• Strong computer skills, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office
• Ability to travel and work occasional evenings or weekends as needed for events and donor activities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Successfully complete pre employment background screening

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience with CRM systems, particularly Salesforce
• Experience supporting fundraising events, sponsorships, or donor stewardship initiatives
• Experience with guest tracking, event registration systems, or payment coordination
• Strong writing skills for donor communications, invitations, and event related materials
• Graphic design or event materials support experience preferred
• Creative thinking, flexibility, and an action oriented approach to work

Competitive Salary & Benefits Package includes fully paid employee only health and dental coverage, Life and LTD insurance, generous paid time off starting at four weeks per year, twelve paid holidays, and 401(k) matched contributions. Professional development and growth opportunities. Work life balance and dynamic, hybrid and flexible work environment. The exempt salary range for this full time position is $45,000 to $55,000 annually, depending upon several factors including education and work experience.

Apply by submitting your resume and cover letter HERE. This position will remain open until filled.

Why Work for the James River Association? 

We are OPTIMISTS.

We believe through individual and collective action, the James River can be

preserved and improved, enriching all communities in the watershed.

We are CATALYSTS.

We are proactive change-makers, not bystanders. We take initiative, bring creativity

and passion, and enlist the broader community to drive positive change for the

James River.

CREDIBILITY is our currency.

Our success depends on the trust we build. We operate with integrity and can be

relied on as a true, steady, dependable resource grounded in science.

COMMUNITY drives everything we do.

We believe in the power of community to achieve common goals, honoring a full

range of voices in the process. Our efforts consider the varied needs and interests of

our watershed communities.

We are proud to be an EEO employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. At JRA, we believe in community, conservation, and driving change. We encourage applications from all backgrounds—if you're excited about working with us, we want to hear from you!