Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
DREAM seeks a Special Events Manager (posted as the Fundraising Events Manager) to join its Advancement team. Reporting to the Director of Special Events, this role is responsible for supporting the planning, coordination, and execution of DREAM’s fundraising and donor engagement events while serving as the operational project manager for the Advancement department.
Working closely with the Director of Special Events, Advancement Operations Manager, Database Manager, Advancement leadership, and cross-functional partners, this role manages event logistics, departmental operations, project management, volunteer engagement, and donor stewardship activities that support DREAM’s fundraising priorities.
As an operational lead for Advancement events and departmental initiatives, this role translates strategic event plans into seamless execution, exceptional donor experiences, and effective cross-functional collaboration.
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organized, collaborative, and solutions-oriented professional who enjoys managing complex projects, building strong relationships, and creating exceptional experiences that strengthen donor engagement and organizational impact.
Responsibilities
Fundraising & Cultivation Events
- Partner with the Director of Special Events to execute DREAM's annual portfolio of fundraising, cultivation, stewardship, and donor engagement events.
- Develop and manage detailed event project plans, timelines, and operational checklists to ensure successful event execution.
- Oversee event logistics, including venue coordination, vendor management, production schedules, staffing plans, décor, guest experience, and day-of operations, partnering with the Advancement Operations Coordinator on event registration, guest communications, and administrative event support.
- Partner with the Communications team to coordinate event branding, invitations, collateral, programs, signage, and promotional materials.
- Coordinate sponsorship fulfillment, volunteer engagement, and cross-functional planning with internal stakeholders.
- Manage relationships with vendors, consultants, and external partners supporting Advancement events.
- Support the Director of Special Events during fundraising events by overseeing day-of operational execution and resolving operational issues as they arise.
- Conduct post-event evaluations and recommend operational improvements to strengthen future events.
Donor Engagement & Stewardship
- Support the planning and execution of volunteer, cultivation, and stewardship experiences in partnership with the Director of Special Events, Advancement Operations Manager, and frontline fundraisers.
- Coordinate event logistics and operational support for donor engagement activities to ensure a seamless participant experience.
- Support stewardship fulfillment, donor recognition, and in-kind donor engagement following fundraising events.
Event Operations
- Partner with the Database Manager to support accurate event revenue tracking, reconciliation, and the timely recording of event attendee, sponsorship, and donor data.
- Monitor event-related key performance indicators and leverage dashboards and reporting to evaluate event performance and inform future planning.
- Support gift acknowledgment, stewardship, and post-event data management in collaboration with the Database Manager and frontline fundraisers.
- Identify opportunities to improve event operations, workflows, and reporting in partnership with the Director of Special Events and Database Manager.
Advancement Operations
- Coordinate cross-functional projects and operational workstreams, maintaining project plans, timelines, and stakeholder communication to ensure successful execution of Advancement priorities.
- Support the planning and execution of departmental operational priorities, partnering with the Advancement Operations Coordinator to maintain shared resources and operational documentation.
- Identify opportunities to improve Advancement operations through effective project management, process improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Three or more years of experience in fundraising events, nonprofit operations, advancement operations, project management, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience planning and executing fundraising events or complex organizational projects.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities.
- Experience managing vendors, budgets, timelines, and event logistics.
- Strong relationship-building skills.
- Experience supporting fundraising operations and donor engagement activities.
- Familiarity with Salesforce or a comparable CRM preferred.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement.
- A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM.
Working Expectations
- The Special Events Manager is part of the Advancement Team, which currently works 3 days in the office and up to 2 days remote, per week (subject to change, and with some weeks requiring more time in-person, for example for donor events).
- Some evening and/or weekend work, for example to prepare for and attend donor events, is required.
Benefits and Paid Time Off
Compensation
- DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $80,000 to $95,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.
