Application Guide

How to Apply for Fundraising Events Manager

at Sarcoma Foundation of America

🏢 About Sarcoma Foundation of America

The Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) is the leading nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for sarcoma through research, education, and advocacy. Its signature Race to Cure Sarcoma series unites communities nationwide, making it a mission-driven organization where every event directly impacts patients and families. Working here means joining a passionate team committed to making a tangible difference in the fight against a rare cancer.

About This Role

As the Fundraising Events Manager, you will lead the planning and execution of SFA's Race to Cure Sarcoma run/walk events and other fundraising initiatives nationwide. This role is critical to achieving SFA's financial goals and expanding its reach, as you'll manage volunteers, cultivate corporate partnerships, and collaborate with development and communications teams. Your work will directly fuel sarcoma research and patient support programs.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a virtual check-in with the development team to align on sponsor outreach, followed by reviewing logistics for an upcoming Race event. You could spend the afternoon calling potential corporate partners, then training new volunteer leaders via Zoom. Later, you might update event timelines and collaborate with the communications team on a social media campaign to boost registration.

🎯 Who Sarcoma Foundation of America Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years of nonprofit event planning and fundraising experience, ideally with walk/run events or similar large-scale community fundraisers.
  • Excels at building relationships with corporate sponsors, community organizations, and healthcare providers to drive revenue and engagement.
  • Possesses strong project management skills, capable of juggling multiple events simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
  • Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication, with a track record of identifying and securing new funding sources.

📝 Tips for Applying to Sarcoma Foundation of America

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific fundraising event metrics (e.g., dollars raised, participant growth, sponsor retention) from past roles.

2

In your cover letter, mention any experience with medical or cause-related events, especially rare diseases, to show alignment with SFA's mission.

3

Research the Race to Cure Sarcoma series and propose one concrete idea for improving participant or sponsor engagement in your application.

4

Emphasize your ability to work remotely and manage virtual teams, as this role is fully remote and requires self-motivation.

5

Include examples of how you've leveraged community partnerships (e.g., local businesses, hospitals) to expand event reach and revenue.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Express genuine passion for SFA's mission and the sarcoma community, showing you understand the impact of fundraising on research.", 'Highlight your experience managing multi-city or national event series, especially with volunteer recruitment and corporate sponsorship.', 'Demonstrate your ability to collaborate across teams (development, communications) to enhance donor relations and marketing.', 'Share a specific achievement where you increased event revenue or participation through innovative strategies or partnerships.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Review SFA's website and annual reports to understand their research funding priorities and recent achievements.
  • Study the Race to Cure Sarcoma event pages to learn about current participation numbers, fundraising goals, and sponsor tiers.
  • Read about sarcoma as a rare cancer to appreciate the challenges and importance of SFA's advocacy and education efforts.
  • Look up SFA's social media channels to see how they engage their community and promote events.
Visit Sarcoma Foundation of America's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach recruiting and training volunteers for a national event series with limited in-person contact?
2 Describe a time you managed a challenging corporate sponsor relationship. How did you ensure their satisfaction and renewal?
3 What strategies would you use to identify and secure new revenue sources for the Race to Cure Sarcoma events?
4 How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple events with overlapping deadlines? Give an example.
5 How would you collaborate with the communications team to create local marketing plans that drive participation in different markets?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning sarcoma or SFA's specific events shows lack of genuine interest.
  • Failing to provide quantifiable results from past events (e.g., funds raised, participant counts) undermines your credibility.
  • Overlooking the remote nature of the role and not demonstrating your ability to work independently and manage virtual teams.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Sarcoma Foundation of America!