Sponsorships & Events Coordinator

**_SPONSORSHIPS & EVENTS _**_COORDINATOR_**

Founded in 2001, the **_rare_** Charitable Research Reserve** is a community-driven urban land trust, nature reserve and environmental institute with its headquarters and first three locations comprising over 900 acres within the Haldimand Tract that spans six miles on either side of the Grand River from source to mouth, land granted to Indigenous Peoples in 1784 to recognise their support for the British in the American Revolution. In Wellington County, **_rare_** is creating an Eramosa River Conservation Corridor to protect forever the river and its adjacent forests and uplands -- lands of the highest ecological significance and which are so far largely unaffected by direct human impact -- ensuring connectivity of spaces and survival of species in an increasingly and rapidly developing area. For all its properties, **_rare_** acknowledges and is grateful to all of the original stewards of the land. Understanding that this land has been rich in diverse Indigenous presence since time immemorial **_rare_** would like to honour and respect the sovereignty of both First Nations in the area: the Onkwehon:we Peoples of Six Nations of the Grand River and the Anishinaabe Peoples of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. As well, **_rare_** acknowledges the Neutral people -- for whom there is archeological evidence on the property dating back 10,500 years -- and also those Indigenous Peoples who currently live, work, play and learn in the urban landscape around the properties, such other self-identified and status First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

While the goal of **_rare_** is to steward its sites and ecosystems intact in perpetuity, for the community to enjoy, forever, in a natural state, it also promotes the lands as a living laboratory for research — including in-house monitoring programs and partnerships with other institutions, citizen scientists, artists and Indigenous Peoples. Research then informs restoration practices and education programs through a _Chain of Learning_ that reaches even the youngest learners in a program called _Every Child Outdoors (ECO)_, a model of active, hands-on, problem-based environmental learning, driven by inquiry in the out-of-doors.

Reporting to the Fundraising Team Lead, the Sponsorships & Events Coordinator will work collegially as part of a fundraising and communications team, and with program advisors, staff and volunteers to interpret **_rare_** and its needs to the broader community in order to build support - both political and financial - for its mission and programs. This position requires flexibility, sensitivity and creativity to help **_rare_** meet major campaign goals while building a healthy, ongoing annual fund.

The position works in close collaboration with the Major Gifts Manager and the Development and Communications Officer. This position often seeks support for events and programs initiated by these colleagues while also assuming responsibility for **_rare’s_** major all hands-on deck events and fundraisers, such as the Spring Eco Market and the Walk and Run for **_rare_**, raising cash and in-kind sponsorships, leading volunteer teams, overseeing the implementation and spearheading the day of the event, and ensuring all sponsorship activations are carried out as agreed and providing post-event fulfillment events with the goal of renewing multi-year commitments.

Responsibilities include identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship to secure sponsorship for events and to build a solid base of annual supporters. This entails, among other things, raising funds and gifts-in-kind for recognition events, cultivation events and program events. In particular, **_rare_** wants to grow its annual Walk/Run for **_rare_** into a signature event that provides a major boost to the operating budget.

**Responsibilities and Deliverables include but are not limited to**:

- In collaboration with the Fundraising and Communications team, participate in the development of a strong Annual Fund plan that coordinates smoothly with Campaign Planning; specifically requires preparation of a draft plan for all areas of responsibility (with proposed budget and timelines) and working with the team to integrate these plans into the overall plan and to participate in strategy.
- Frequent reporting and communication about plans and progress towards goals with the rest of the team.
- Develop new and creative ways to engage and steward **_rare’s _**diverse community, with special emphasis on the corporate community and service clubs, building the **_rare_** profile while identifying and engaging key leaders and creating a visible network for **_rare_**. This includes supporting the Major Gifts Manager with solicitation and cultivation of corporate donors and prospects, and includes reports, mailings and materials in order to create the largest possible base of corporate and organizational supporters. It also includes having