Does your job reward you with the unconditional love of animals? What about the joy of helping provide food, shelter, care, and comfort to hundreds of pets waiting to find their second chance at life? If you have a great love for animals and a concern for their well-being, you’ll find yourself right at home at the Naperville Area Humane Society. At NAHS, we are united in our mission, cause, and passion for animals, and we welcome you to join us!

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Open Positions​

 

Special Events & Community Engagement Coordinator

Reports To: Executive Director
Employment Status: Exempt Employee
Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary: $45,000 - $55,000/Annually 

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Job Overview:

The Special Events & Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for planning and executing special events and community engagement initiatives that increase awareness, strengthen relationships, generate support, and advance the mission of Naperville Area Humane Society. This role will manage the planning and execution of fundraising and community events while supporting sponsorships, fundraising campaigns, community partnerships, donor communications, and other development initiatives. The Coordinator will help build and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, businesses, community organizations, volunteers, and other stakeholders, while also supporting programs such as the Junior Board and Corporate Volunteer Days. 

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The ideal candidate is a creative, organized, and results-driven professional with strong written and verbal communication skills and excellent attention to detail. This individual is a proactive self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys bringing events and community initiatives to life, and is passionate about Naperville Area Humane Society’s mission and commitment to its goals. 

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute all fundraising events including signature events such as the Black Cat Ball, Run Your Mutt Off 5K, and Fore the Paws Golf Outing from concept through completion, including timelines, logistics, vendors, volunteers, event materials, and day-of coordination.

• Manage event details and deliverables to ensure events are organized, engaging, on budget, and aligned with NAHS goals.

• Help develop and manage event sponsorships, including identifying prospects, creating outreach, securing sponsorships, coordinating sponsor benefits, and maintaining relationships.

• Support fundraising campaigns and initiatives designed to increase donor engagement and generate revenue for the organization.

• Cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, businesses, and community partners through consistent communication, stewardship, and follow-up.

• Coordinate donor and sponsor communications, including thank-you messages, event-related communications, solicitations, and recognition.

• Assist with live and silent auctions, including soliciting donations, tracking items, coordinating logistics, and preparing auction materials.

• Identify and pursue in-kind donations and other opportunities that support fundraising events and reduce event-related expenses.

• Work with Volunteer Coordinator to coordinate volunteers for special events, including recruiting, communicating assignments, and providing support before and during events.

• Collaborate with staff and leadership to develop and execute fundraising and event strategies that support organizational priorities.

• Create and maintain event-related marketing materials, including website content, social media posts, event communications, signage, and other promotional materials. 

• Track fundraising results and event expenses, maintain accurate records, and assist with evaluating event performance and revenue goals.

• Research and identify new fundraising opportunities, community partnerships, sponsorship prospects, and event ideas.

• Assist the Development team with coordinating and executing Corporate Volunteer Days, including communication with corporate partners, scheduling, logistics, and day-of support. 

• Oversee and manage NAHS’ Junior Board, including recruitment, meetings, engagement, programming, fundraising initiatives, and ongoing support for student members. 

• Represent Naperville Area Humane Society at community events, meetings, and partner activities in a professional and enthusiastic manner.

• Stay organized and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, particularly during busy event seasons.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Development and overall mission of Naperville Area Humane Society.

 

Job Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Event Management, Hospitality or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience in fundraising, special events, development, marketing, or a related field will also be considered. 

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in special events, fundraising, development, marketing, sales, or a related field, with demonstrated experience coordinating events, cultivating relationships, and supporting revenue-generating initiatives. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences

• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor stewardship best practices.

• Experience with graphic design tools (Canva is a plus)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Strong skills and knowledge using social media platforms and content management tools

• Familiarity with fundraising platforms and donor management systems 

• Knowledge of SEO, email marketing tools, and basic web management (Wix is a plus). 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team

• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Passion for animal welfare and alignment with NAHS’s mission

• Additional duties as assigned. 

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Working Conditions:

• Full-time position (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

• Some weekends and travel will be required for events or meetings

• Shared office workspace

• Flexibility in hours may be required to accommodate events or projects

• Ability to stand for long periods of time on an occasional basis

• Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time

• Noisy working environment on an occasional basis

• Comfort and confidence working with, walking, and handling cats and dogs

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Benefits:

• Competitive salary of $45,000–$55,000, based on professional experience

• Generous paid time off, including accrued PTO and 80 hours of vacation annually

• IRA program with employer match

• 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance

• One work-from-home day per week after two months of employment 

• One waived pet adoption fee after six months of employment

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If you’re interested in the Special Events & Community Engagement Coordinator position, please submit your resume and cover letter to Christine Natarelli, Executive Director at cnatarelli@naperhumane.org.

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Internship Positions

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, comfortable working with and around animals, and able to commit between 12–30 hours per week. While enrollment in a college program is not required, priority consideration is given to students seeking academic credit and individuals looking to gain hands-on experience in a related career field.

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Internship Seasons are:

• Spring: March – May

• Summer: June – August

• Fall/Winter: September – November

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Communications & Development Intern
This internship offers hands-on experience in nonprofit communications, marketing, and fundraising. The Communication & Development

intern will assist with social media content, email communications, event promotion, and basic development projects. This role is ideal for a motivated student or emerging professional seeking real-world experience in nonprofit operations, communications strategy, and philanthropy while making a meaningful impact for animals in need. For more information about this position or to apply, please email your resume to Christine Natarelli, Executive Director, at cnatarelli@naperhumane.org.

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Fundraising Committee

 

Naperville Area Humane Society is seeking enthusiastic, energetic, and creative individuals to join our Fundraising Committee and help plan and support some of our most impactful events of the year. This committee plays a vital role in raising critical funds that allow NAHS to care for animals in need 365 days a year. We are currently seeking passionate, committed individuals who can bring fresh ideas, energy, and connections to the table.

Committee members typically:

• Collaborate on planning and execution of NAHS signature fundraising events

• Volunteer at signature and third-party events throughout the year

• Help strengthen donor relationships, support sponsorship outreach, promote events, and secure auction items

• Have the opportunity to host or lead smaller third-party events on behalf of the shelter

• Must be comfortable working around or with animals

Our 2026 signature events include:

• Run Your Mutt Off 5K – June 13, 2026

• Golf Outing – August 3, 2026

• Black Cat Ball Gala – September 25, 2026

We are looking for individuals with experience in fundraising and/or event planning who are passionate about making a meaningful difference for shelter animals.
 

Committee meeting details:
Meets virtually from 12:00–1:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month, with occasional in-person meetings.

 

If you enjoy event planning, collaboration, and giving back to the community and want to play a hands-on role in helping animals we would love to hear from you. Please contact Christine Natarelli, Executive Director, at cnatarelli@naperhumane.org to learn more, express your interest, and submit your resume.

 

This is an unpaid, volunteer position.
 

 

Volunteer Positions

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Please check back for future volunteer positions!