Donor Engagement Coordinator

About the Opportunity

The Donor Engagement Coordinator is a key member of the Advancement operations. This position collaborates with team members to ensure community groups and volunteer fundraisers are well supported, organized, and positioned to amplify fundraising efforts. The role provides critical administrative and event support, manages the advancement inbox and office logistics, and ensures recognition activities are executed seamlessly.

• Manage and provide administrative and event support for associate fundraisers, including Chautauqua Fund Volunteers, Community Groups, and staff.
• Manage and provide administrative and event support to the Chautauqua Fund and NOW Generation Volunteers.
• Provide support for year‑round recognition and sponsorship events.
• In partnership with the Foundation, oversee tribute and memorial giving programs, including trees, bricks, benches, and other named recognition opportunities.
• Oversee employee giving program.
• Assist with donor acknowledgements, especially during busy periods.
• Perform administrative tasks for the Advancement office, including general office management and setup of offices for remote employees during the season.
• Serve as the key administrator for the advancement email inbox and manage office mail.
• Provide customer service to patrons and help report and resolve any issues or concerns raised by them.
• Other duties, as assigned.

• High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Prior experience with web‑based databases (Raiser's Edge or Salesforce) is a plus.
• Prior volunteer management experience is a plus.
• Prior fundraising experience is a plus.
• Experience working with Microsoft products.

• Team player.
• Flexibility with work, including scheduling during Chautauqua’s Summer Assembly season (June‑August).

In 2023, the Advancement team successfully raised more than $36 million in annual and major gifts and pledges to support the institution’s programs, strategic initiatives, and capital projects. Chautauqua Foundation confirmed planned gift commitments totaling more than $20 million, and the endowment now stands at more than $133 million, with 850 individual funds. The institution’s largest campaign to date, Boundless, A Campaign for Chautauqua, launched publicly on January 5, 2024, with a goal of raising $150 million.

The Advancement Department works in close alignment with Marketing & Communications, IT, and Project 360 – an interdepartmental team responsible for the development and implementation of a standardized, robust, versatile technology ecosystem and data governance program, creating a 360‑degree view of each patron and supporting the 150 Forward Strategic Plan.

The position is located at Chautauqua Institution’s main campus in Southwestern New York (Chautauqua County). It is not eligible for remote work. Regular work hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day, totaling 37.5 hours per week. Additional hours and evening commitments may be required between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The compensation starts at $19.00 per hour, and with demonstrated experience or advanced education, candidates may earn up to $21.00 per hour. Benefits include national health insurance, flexible spend or health savings account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, an employee assistance program, supplemental life insurance, long‑term disability options, and a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution of 6% of gross compensation following the designated service period.

Chautauqua Institution is a not‑for‑profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities.

The institution owns and…