Folkways · 5 days ago
Development Manager (Corporate Sponsorships)
Fargo, ND
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$55K/yr - $65K/yr
3+ years expFolkways is dedicated to creating experiences where everyone belongs, and they are seeking a Development Manager to grow and manage corporate sponsorship and partnership revenue. This role involves building strong relationships with corporate sponsors, executing sponsorship benefits, and collaborating with various teams to align sponsorship strategies with organizational goals.
Civic & Social Organization
Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of 50+ active corporate sponsors and partners
Steward year-long corporate partners, event sponsors, and program sponsors
Serve as the primary point of contact for corporate sponsorship relationships
Maintain strong, ongoing relationships through meetings, calls, and in-person engagement
Prospect, cultivate, and close new corporate sponsorships and partnerships
Work with the Executive Director to align sponsorship strategy with organizational goals
Lead and collaborate on sponsorship proposals and customized partnership packages
Contribute to sponsorship decks, pitch materials, and follow-up communications
Track sponsorship commitments, renewals, and opportunities for growth
Coordinate closely with the Development Manager focused on individual giving to ensure aligned messaging and strategy
Collaborate with the marketing team to develop sponsorship messaging and materials
Contribute written content for:
Sponsorship decks
Donor and partner communications
Impact reports
Coordinate and manage partner marketing efforts, including:
Co-branded promotions
Sponsor recognition and shout-outs
Deliverables outlined in sponsorship agreements
Clearly communicate expectations to sponsors regarding benefits, timelines, and scope
Coordinate with the operations team to plan and execute sponsor logistics at events
Ensure sponsor benefits (signage, activations, booths, acknowledgements) are delivered as promised
Be present onsite at select events, including some evenings and Saturdays, to support sponsor relationships and execution
Serve as a visible representative of Folkways at events, meetings, and community functions
Maintain accurate sponsor and partner records in Airtable
Ensure data hygiene and consistent tracking of sponsorship activity
Build and manage Airtable views and workflows related to sponsorships
Run reports to support revenue tracking, renewals, and planning
Learn and manage existing Airtable systems (no system-building from scratch required)
Qualification
Required
Demonstrated success in 3–5 years of relevant experience in development, sponsorships, partnerships, sales, or relationship-based revenue roles
Strong interpersonal skills and comfort with frequent in-person meetings and phone calls
Experience collaborating across teams, particularly marketing and operations
Strong written communication skills and experience contributing to proposals and donor-facing materials
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing a large portfolio of relationships
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, event-driven environment with seasonal intensity
Preferred
Experience using Airtable or similar CRM/database tools preferred but not required
Benefits
Health insurance
Flexible PTO
Downtown Parking Pass
Company
Folkways
Folkways is a community non-profit that exists to drive community belonging.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Joe Burgum
Community Builder and Co-Founder
Simone Wai
Co-Founder
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