Application Guide

How to Apply for Manager, Donor Engagement & Special Events- *REMOTE*

at Kesem National

🏢 About Kesem National

Kesem National is unique as a nationwide community powered by college student leaders who create innovative, fun-filled programs supporting children impacted by a parent's cancer. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven organization that fosters lasting community through creative engagement, making it ideal for those passionate about youth support and volunteer-driven impact.

About This Role

This role involves managing donor engagement and special events remotely, focusing on leveraging national events to build relationships with major donors and corporate sponsors while developing innovative fundraising strategies. It's impactful because it directly supports Kesem's mission and milestones like their 25th Anniversary, ensuring sustainable funding for children's programs.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with donors or sponsors to cultivate relationships, analyzing donor data in Salesforce to tailor engagement strategies, and coordinating with cross-functional teams on upcoming national event logistics. You could also be developing sponsorship packages or stewardship plans, ensuring alignment with Kesem's mission and community-driven approach.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Kesem National Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of experience in donor stewardship, relationship management, and large-scale fundraising event logistics, with a track record of aligning strategies with organizational goals.
  • Proficient in Salesforce, Classy, and Hive for data analytics, vendor/sponsorship management, and optimizing ROI in event planning.
  • A strong communicator skilled in writing, presentations, and cross-functional collaboration, able to develop year-round stewardship plans that deepen donor connections to Kesem's mission.
  • Innovative in creating fundraising strategies like sponsorship packages, peer-to-peer fundraising, and tiered giving levels for distinguished events.

📝 Tips for Applying to Kesem National

1

Highlight specific experience with national or large-scale fundraising events, quantifying results like funds raised or donor retention rates.

2

Mention proficiency in Kesem's mentioned tools (Salesforce, Classy, Hive) and provide examples of how you've used them for donor engagement or event ROI optimization.

3

Tailor your resume to emphasize alignment with Kesem's mission of supporting children through cancer, using keywords like 'community-driven,' 'student-led,' or 'innovative programs.'

4

Research Kesem's 25th Anniversary and suggest one actionable idea for integrating it into donor engagement or event planning in your cover letter.

5

Include a link to a portfolio or examples of past event materials, sponsorship packages, or stewardship plans you've developed, as this role requires strong strategic execution.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Demonstrate passion for Kesem's mission of supporting children impacted by cancer, linking your experience to their community-driven, student-led model.", "Provide a concrete example of how you've developed and implemented a successful donor stewardship or fundraising event strategy, emphasizing innovation and relationship-building.", 'Explain your remote work experience in managing events or donor engagement, highlighting tools like Salesforce and collaboration skills for a distributed team.', "Propose one specific idea for leveraging Kesem's 25th Anniversary in donor engagement or special events to show strategic thinking."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Kesem's website and social media to understand their programs (e.g., Camp Kesem), student-led initiatives, and recent events or donor stories.
  • → Look into Kesem's 25th Anniversary details or milestones to reference in your application, showing awareness of their history and future goals.
  • → Review their donor or sponsor testimonials to grasp what resonates with their community, such as emphasis on impact, innovation, or youth support.
  • → Familiarize yourself with their tools (Salesforce, Classy, Hive) if possible, or note similar platforms you've used for event and donor management.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience planning and executing large-scale fundraising events remotely, including challenges and how you measured ROI.
2 How would you develop a year-round stewardship plan for Kesem's major donors to deepen their connection to the mission, given their focus on children and student leaders?
3 Walk us through a time you used data analytics (e.g., in Salesforce) to optimize donor engagement or event strategies, and the outcomes.
4 Kesem emphasizes innovation in fundraising—share an example of an innovative sponsorship package or peer-to-peer fundraising opportunity you created and its impact.
5 How would you align donor engagement efforts with Kesem's upcoming 25th Anniversary and their values of community and fun-filled programs?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application without mentioning Kesem's mission, student-led community, or specific tools like Salesforce and Classy.
  • Focusing only on event logistics without emphasizing donor relationship-building, stewardship, or alignment with Kesem's values and milestones.
  • Neglecting to provide examples of remote work in donor engagement or event planning, as this role is fully remote and requires strong self-management.

📅 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 Kesem National!

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