Nonprofit Fundraising/ Business Partnership Volunteer

Overview- We are seeking a proactive, creative, and community-minded Fundraising Volunteer to help carry out our local fundraising initiatives, build partnerships with local businesses, and support coordination. This role is ideal for individuals interested in non-profit management, fundraising, community relations, marketing, or event planning who want to gain hands-on experience while making a meaningful impact on early childhood mental health equity.

Organization: The Center for Early Childhood Connections (CECC) — www.thececc.org

Location: Hybrid / Remote (Albany, CA area preferred for local business outreach & events)

Duration: 2–6 months / (Flexible duration- can align with academic quarter or semester)

Reports To: Executive Director

About The Center for Early Childhood Connections (CECC)

The Center for Early Childhood Connections (CECC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the mental health and well-being of young children (prenatal to age eight) and their families in the Bay Area. We provide diversity-informed, culturally attuned, and inclusive therapeutic, educational, and wellness supports to help children flourish within their families and communities.

Key Activities:

Local Business Partnerships & Sponsorships

• Outreach & Relationship Building: Working with the Executive Director, the volunteer will follow up with businesses already identified in the organization's fundraising plan. They may also work to tailor outreach communications, initiate contact, and conduct follow-ups to pitch sponsorship opportunities, percentage-of-sales fundraising days, and matching gift programs.
• In-Kind Donation Requests: Solicit in-kind donations (e.g., event space, food/beverage, auction items, supplies, gift cards) for CECC events and operational needs according to the existing fundraising plan.
• Sponsorship and Donation Communication Collateral: Assist in submitting sponsorship packages, pitch letters, and partnership one-pagers to local businesses in alignment with communications plan and the prospective sponsor's target audience and needs.

Event Planning & Fundraising Campaigns

• Event Coordination and Promotion: Support the planning and promotion of fundraising events and partner-hosted events. Collaborate on social media announcements, flyers, or newsletters to highlight local business partners and upcoming fundraising events.
• Campaign Logistics: Help organize schedules, donor activities, and community outreach efforts about the local business partnerships.

Donor Stewardship & Administration

• Database & Tracking: Maintain a log of business outreach, contacts, follow-up statuses, and commitments.
• Partner Recognition: Send thank-you letters, tax receipts, and public acknowledgment posts to build donor and partner relationships using existing communications materials.
• Reporting: Communicate regularly with Executive Director and/or other volunteers on outreach progress and milestones.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Mission-Driven: Passionate about using communication and organizational skills to support children, mental health, family well-being, equity, and community advocacy.
• Strong Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable reaching out to local business owners and community leaders using existing materials and guides.
• Organizational Ability: Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage outreach lists and task timelines independently.
• Self-Motivated & Proactive: Able to work independently, take initiative, and manage tasks on a flexible schedule.
• Tech Savvy: Familiarity with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive), social media platforms, and basic Canva/graphic design or CRM/database tools is a plus.
• Local Connection: Familiarity with the Bay Area / East Bay business community (Albany, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Oakland, etc.) is a plus.

Benefits & What You Will Gain:

• Real-World Experience: Get hands-on experience in seeking corporate sponsorship, donor management, event planning, non-profit management and fundraising.
• Portfolio Development: Opportunity to build marketing, sponsorship, fundraising and event planning materials for your resume/portfolio.
• Mentorship & Networking: Work directly with CECC leadership and connect with local business leaders and community organizations.
• Academic Credit: Flexible to work with your school or college to fulfill internship course requirements.
• Flexible Schedule: May work mostly remotely with flexible hours structured around your existing school or work schedule.
• Tech tools that support your work: CECC provides basic laptop computer (for local volunteers, if needed), access to design products including Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva, professional business email address, and all other software needed to complete required tasks.