“Every person deserves compassion, dignity, and the safety of a place to call home.”
Homelessness is the largest social and public health crisis in California. Illumination Foundation (IF) is a growing non-profit organization dedicated towards disrupting the cycle of homelessness by providing targeted, interdisciplinary services in our recuperative care centers, emergency shelters, housing services and children's and family programs. IF currently has 13+ facilities with 22+ micro-communities scattered across Orange County, Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire.
Job Description:
The Event Specialist is responsible for coordinating a variety of events that support the organization’s
mission and fundraising goals. This role manages event logistics, vendor relationships, timelines, and
budgets while working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners. The Event Specialist
will also work closely with contracted event planning agencies and consultants to ensure seamless
execution of large-scale and signature events.
The pay range for this role is
$68,640.00 per year.
Responsibilities:
Event Planning & Management:
- Coordinate all aspects of nonprofit events including annual fundraising galas, community outreach events, donor gatherings, and program-related activities
- Manage event timelines, budgets, production schedules, task lists, and checklists
- Secure venues, vendors, permits, and necessary contracts
- Commute to various venues and Illumination service locations across Southern California
- Oversee event logistics such as catering, audiovisual needs, décor, signage, transportation, and volunteer coordination
- Manage guest lists, RSVPs, and event registration processes
- Serve as a liaison with external event planning agencies, ensuring alignment on goals, messaging, branding, and logistics
Collaboration & Communication:
- Work closely with development, marketing, and board of directors to align event objectives and messaging
- Serve as the primary internal point of contact for event planning agencies and vendors
- Collaborate with the marketing team to support event promotion through social media, email, and printed materials
On-Site Event Management:
- Lead event setup, execution, and breakdown, coordinating staff, volunteers, and vendors
- Oversee on-site event logistics alongside event planning agency partners, ensuring smooth operations and a positive guest experience
- Troubleshoot issues as they arise
Administrative & Post-Event Duties:
- Track event expenses, reconcile invoices, and assist with financial reporting
- Collect and analyze event participation and feedback data
- Support post-event donor acknowledgment, sponsor stewardship, and event recaps
Qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Event Management, Hospitality,
- Communications, Nonprofit Management, or related field
- 2+ years of professional or volunteer experience in event coordination or project management, preferably in a nonprofit or fundraising context
- Valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel between locations as needed
- Experience managing external event planning agencies or consultants
- Strong organizational, multitasking, and project management skills with excellent attention to detail
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with flexibility and a collaborative, solution-oriented attitude
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office
Preferred
- Experience with donor database or CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang)
- Familiarity with fundraising event tools and platforms (e.g., Greater Giving, OneCause, Classy, GiveSmart, or similar)
- Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising event best practices and compliance guidelines
- Strong vendor management, contract negotiation, and budget management skills
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as event schedules require
Benefits:
- Medical Insurance funded up to 91% by Illumination Foundation (Kaiser and Blue Shield), depending on the plan
- Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life, AD&D and LTD Insurance funded 100% by Illumination Foundation
- Employee Assistance Program
- Professional Development Reimbursement
- 401K with Company Matching
- 10days vacation PTO/year
- 6 days of sick pay/year
- Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSFL) for federally qualified loans
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