In-Kind Donation Specialist

JOB SUMMARY

The In-Kind Donation Specialist serves as the point of contact for members of the community who wish to donate items to the Homeless Alliance. The Specialist answers questions, schedules and participates in pick-up and deliveries, manages expectations, and redirects donations, as necessary. They monitor the inventory of the supplies necessary to our mission and help communicate our needs to the public. As a member of the Development team, they express the organization’s gratitude and develop meaningful and beneficial relationships with the community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responds to inquiries from the public about in-kind donations, including phone calls and emails. Clearly and politely expresses the needs of the Homeless Alliance and what items we can and cannot accept.
2. Assists individuals, schools, businesses, places of worship, and other community organizations with their donation drives on behalf of the Homeless Alliance (e.g. to collect towels, winter coats, hygiene products, and household items).
3. Schedules and fulfills pick-up and delivery appointments for bulk and large donations such as furniture, bottled water pallets, and pet food, driving Homeless Alliance vehicles as needed (which include a 12-passenger van and 16-foot box truck).
4. Keeps our Director of Communications and other key partners informed of our most urgent needs on a timely and consistent basis, so they might be included in e-newsletters, social media posts, flyers, and other communications.
5. Maintains online wish lists for the Homeless Alliance, e.g. Amazon.
6. Informs Homeless Alliance case managers and client support staff about available supplies and resources for clients.
7. Collects necessary paperwork to document donations and help keep accurate records in the donor database.
8. Works with Volunteer team members to garner assistance from volunteers on sorting, labeling, and organizing donations.
9. Oversees and implements the annual client holiday gift donation drives, which includes working with case managers to gather client wish lists, reviewing online sign-up forms, receiving donation drop offs, organizing donated items, and distributing them to case managers for client delivery.
10. Identifies and cultivates relationships with companies that can donate supplies in bulk.
11. Communicates with in-kind donors about the Homeless Alliance. This may include tours of the campus and answering general questions about homelessness.
12. Proactively looks for ways to engage our community in the mission of the Homeless Alliance and to cultivate in-kind donors to become long-term supporters.
13. Assists Development and Communications staff with other tasks, as needed.

REQUIREMENTS

1. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
2. Willingness to “get dirty” and do manual labor, including lifting and moving boxes, sorting, and unloading donations.
3. Proficient computer skills, especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Outlook).
4. Excellent oral and written communications skills.
5. Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
6. Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, planning, scheduling, and donor engagement and stewardship.
7. Be able to maintain a professional, courteous attitude with clients, donors, volunteers, and other community members and represent the agency in a positive way at all times.
8. Be able to meet face-to-face with homeless individuals of diverse backgrounds and disabilities, including physical, mental, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, etc. and be able to develop rapport, provide information, and refer with sensitivity to cultural issues.
9. Must demonstrate an “attitude of gratitude” for our donors and compassion for our clients at all times.
10. Be eager to contribute to a workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
11. This position is contingent upon successfully completing a post-offer, job-related physical examination.

EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE

• Previous experience in human services and/or working with at-risk populations is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Education and/or experience in fund development, nonprofit administrative support, marketing, public relations, social work, or a related field preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit and work at a computer for long periods of time in an office environment and must be able to lift/move weight up to 40 lbs. Employee is also required to accept incoming calls and must be able to hear and speak. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision adequate for the incumbent to perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently. Must have the manual dexterity to manually operate and use a computer. The noise level is quiet to moderate; non-smoking environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee will work in an office and public, service-delivery environment. Hectic situations can occur in the public areas of the facility characteristic to working in a shelter environment and the related concerns and situations related to conditions of people living without a home. Potential exists for volatile and unpredictable situations to occur. The employee will at times experience exposure to strong odors such as soiled clothes and poor hygiene.

Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm, but alternate arrangements are possible. On rare occasions, evening or weekend work will be required.

The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the associate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations

COMPENSATION

• 4 Week Paid Sabbaticals every 5 years
• 100% Employer sponsored health, dental, vision, and group life insurance for the employee
• Voluntary Accident and Cancer Policies  
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Pet Insurance
• Flex Spending Account and Dependent Care Account
• 401k with match  
• Employee Assistance Program  
• A total of 39 paid days off each year

• 180 hours (24 days) of PTO accrued per year
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 2 Floating Holidays
• 2 Community Impact Paid Days Off