Manager, Community Giving & Development

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Advance the work of Cleveland Guardians Community Impact and Cleveland Guardians Charities by driving philanthropic revenue and engagement to enable impactful programs throughout Northeast Ohio. This role shapes and executes fundraising strategy to support social equity, education, youth development, health, and environmental initiatives, ensuring the organization’s role as a community partner and catalyst for positive change. By inspiring generosity and mobilizing resources, this position ensures our mission not only reaches more communities but truly transforms lives throughout Northeast Ohio.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate innovative fundraising strategies across all major revenue channels, including major gifts, grants, sponsor ships, digital giving, annual campaigns, and events.
• Build and expand relationships with individual donors, board members, corporations, foundations, and community partners through personalized stewardship and recognition.
• Source, prepare, and submit grant applications and proposals, aligning organizational initiatives with funder goals and reporting expectations.
• Drive identification and cultivation of new donor prospects to diversify and strengthen the organization’s support base.
• Analyze fundraising data and donor trends; provide regular progress reports and actively recommend process and strategy adjustments to improve results.

• Lead the planning and execution of large-scale fundraising events, donor programs, sponsorship activations, and annual campaigns; manage logistics, volunteer teams, and vendor partnerships to maximize outcomes.
• Collaborate on high-profile Community Impact activations (Jackie Robinson Day, Lou Gehrig Day, Guardians of the Community, etc.), aligning event activities with fundraising goals and donor engagement strategy.
• Represent the organization at public events, networking meetings, and donor presentations to foster visibility and philanthropic support.
• Oversee donor engagement activities, including appreciation events, stewardship communications, recognition strategies, and ongoing relationship management.

• Partner with finance and external accounting firms to support accurate preparation and review of IRS Form 990, and ensure fundraising compliance.
• Maintain and manage departmental budgets, monitor expenditures, and forecast financial needs in partnership with finance teams to ensure prudent stewardship of resources.
• Ensure adherence to all legal requirements and auditing standards relevant to charitable giving, campaign reporting, and donor documentation.
• Create and submit stewardship and financial reports to donors and institutional funders as required.

• Oversee the planning and execution of signature fundraising programs, including the 50/50 Raffle, Season-long Fundraising Campaigns, MLB Authentics, Guardians Charities Golf Outing, and other major initiatives and events.
• Lead development-related event tasks, such as sponsorship fulfillment, donor engagement, auction coordination, and gameday celebrations, ensuring alignment with fundraising and mission objectives.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop team members and volunteers, promoting a collaborative, growth-focused environment in pursuit of fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, marketing, and programming teams to communicate impact, promote giving opportunities, and ensure program visibility.

Learn more about these programs by visiting

Review the 2024 Cleveland Guardians Community Impact Report here:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, fundraising, business, communications, or a related field required
• 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, collegiate or professional sports with a proven track record of securing individual gifts, corporate support, and foundation grants
• Proven ability to engage, cultivate, and steward major donors and corporate partners
• Experience supporting high-profile fundraising events and aligning development activities with event planning
• Robust knowledge of fundraising…