Community and Fundraising Events Manager

Summary: Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout (YEAH) is a Black-led, community-based non-profit supporting teens and young adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia ages 15 to 24 who are impacted by violence. YEAH works to create safe and authentic hangout spaces by providing culturally relevant engagement and implementing teen led interventions to address the root causes of violence. Utilizing teen action through peer led mediation and conflict resolution, community engagement, and economic opportunities, YEAH interrupts the cycle of youth community violence. YEAH acknowledges teens and young adults as the experts of their own lives and prioritizes pushing back against oppressive systems and addressing structural barriers that often lead to violence.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: The Events Manager will play a critical role in advancing YEAH Philly's mission by planning, coordinating, and executing impactful events that engage our community, support our youth participants, and raise vital funds for our programs. This position requires someone who understands the lived experiences of our community and can create meaningful, culturally relevant programming that centers the voices and leadership of young people, while also being able to strategically assist the Co-CEO and administrative team in executing fundraising events.

Required Qualifications: Philadelphia resident or residency within 3 months required. Bachelor’s degree required. Driver’s license and reliable transportation required. This is not an entry level position and candidates should have at least three years’ experience in coordinating and managing both fundraising and community events. Candidates must have excellent project management skills, the ability to work flexible hours (events are sometimes in the evenings and weekends), superb organizational and administrative skills and must have previous experience with administrative and operational duties, and planning events; must know how to take initiative, be action oriented, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Candidates who identify racially or ethnically as Black or Brown and have been personally impacted by the criminal legal system or violence (directly or indirectly) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Event Planning & Execution

• Plan and execute YEAH Philly's signature events including both community-building and fundraising
  • Coordinate community engagement events, workshops, and programming at our sites
  • Organize fundraising events, donor appreciation gatherings, and volunteer recognition ceremonies
• Manage outdoor programming events including gun safe giveaways, pet food giveaways, mutual aid events, and outdoor activities for young people.
• Coordinate ceremonies and milestone celebrations for program participants

Community Engagement

• Collaborate with youth participants to ensure their voices and ideas are centered in event planning
• Build relationships with local recreation centers, schools, and community partners
• Coordinate with neighborhood stakeholders to ensure events serve community needs
• Support community food giveaway logistics and special distribution events
• Support all fundraising and development activities on an as-needed basis

Operations & Logistics

• Manage event budgets, vendor relationships, and procurement processes
• Coordinate permits, catering, and safety protocols for all events
• Oversee setup, breakdown, and logistics for events at our community center and external venues
• Maintain event equipment and supplies inventory

Communications & Outreach

• Work with staff to promote events through social media and community channels
• Coordinate with local media for event coverage when appropriate
• Develop promotional materials that reflect our community's culture and values
• Track event attendance and gather feedback for continuous improvement

Program Support

• Support all training events for staff and community
• Assist with all program event coordination
• Help coordinate therapeutic programming and mental health workshops as needed

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with nonprofit fundraising events and donor engagement, background in youth development, violence prevention, or community organizing, knowledge of trauma-informed practices and healing-centered approaches, experience with budget management and vendor negotiations, basic skills in graphic design or marketing for event promotion

Personal Characteristics

• Deep commitment to racial justice and liberation for Black youth
• Cultural humility, anti-racism and ability to follow the leadership of young people
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build authentic relationships across diverse communities
• Flexibility and creativity in problem-solving
• Ability to work effectively in high-stress, fast-paced environments
• Commitment to anti-oppression practices and community accountability

Working Conditions

This position requires physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, and work in various indoor and outdoor environments. Some events may take place in the evenings, and sometimes on weekends. Some travel within the Philadelphia area is required.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Other duties as assigned

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

YEAH is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law including employment, admissions, and educational programs.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Employees will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as assigned by their supervisor.

Full-time with benefits package. Employer pays 85% of total benefits package (health, dental, vision, FSA after 60 days). 160 hours of PTO for the first year (80 hours personal and 80 hours of set company days off), with paid company holidays off. 401k with company match. Paid professional development and wellness perks.

Proficient in English