The Donor Relations Captains have an amazing opportunity to share their passion for THON and spread awareness of pediatric cancer! DR Captains are responsible for coordinating and empowering the THON community to fundraise more effectively. Each captain will act as a fundraising liaison to a group of organizations. As a fundraising resource, the DR Captains will be able to assist THON Chairs as they organize and implement an individual, small business, and corporate donor solicitation strategy.

In addition to the liaison role, every DR Captain will be working on a special project to improve or develop THON’s fundraising capabilities. Additionally, most captains will also be responsible for contacting THON 2008 small business and corporate donors to ensure their continued support For The Kids! This year, some of the DR Captains will also be working with the first ever DR committee members!

All of this will be accomplished while becoming a cohesive team and having a great time! The sky is truly the limit when it comes to what Donor Relations can accomplish. For more information, please contact Annie Keyes.

Administrative Assistant (1)

This person needs to be highly motivated and organized. They will serve as a project manager for Donor Relations and act as a liaison to all other committees. The Administrative Assistant will be responsible for managing the solicitation timeline, compiling meeting minutes, documenting all action items, and sending committee reminders and updates.

Inspiration (1)

This person needs to be very energetic, creative, and outgoing! The Inspiration Captain will be responsible for providing weekly motivation, organizing team building activities, and all committee events. It is their role to create a greater connection between the DR committee and THON families. They should plan the tours of Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital and special visitor trips.

Donor Development (4)

These captains need to be highly motivated, outgoing, and organized. There will be three types of Donor Development Captains, but they will all work together as a team to support each other. Each captain will be given a preliminary list of potential THON donors and from there it is up to them. This position can be quite challenging, but when you get a donation For The Kids, it is all worth it!

• Local Donors Development (1)

  This captain will be responsible for creating a solicitation strategy for all current and potential donors in Centre County. They have the opportunity to be innovative and really make an impact For The Kids! The captain will be in close contact with Hospitality and Supply Logistics Captains.

• Foundations Development (1)

  This position is responsible for maintaining and expanding the support THON receives from Foundations. They will re-apply for the grant’s THON received in 2008 and seek out new Foundations to approach for 2009. This is a new captain position and it really has the opportunity to grow!

• New Donor Development (2)

  These captains will be working with a list of potential THON donors. It is their responsibility to contact the companies and motivate them to donate. They will also have the opportunity to explore any additional new donor opportunities!

BJC Marketing (1)

This captain must be detail oriented and innovative. The position is an expansion of the Banner Manager position from previous years. This captain is responsible for collecting and hanging company banners THON Weekend. In addition to managing the banners, this captain has a chance to be innovative and discover new ways to benefit THON donors in the BJC. This position will require a lot of collaboration with other committees, such as OPPerations, Communications, Public Relations, Hospitality, and Supply Logistics.

Donor Events Captains (2)

These captains must be organized, enthusiastic, and highly resourceful. They will be working closely with Hospitality and Supply Logistics Captains to plan various donor events throughout the year. These Captains will be responsible for planning and scheduling all of the DR lead tours THON Weekend, decorating the donor suites in the BJC, and assisting in preparations for the Donor Appreciation Reception. They also have an opportunity to use their imaginations and plan new benefit or stewardship events for the donors.

Database Mangers (2)

These captains need to have a strong attention for detail, be organized, and motivated. It is also preferred that they have some proficiency in Microsoft Excel. They will be responsible for updating and maintaining all of the donation information in THINK. As well as cleaning-up any obsolete donor information in the database. These captains will be working closely with the Finance committee.

Individual Donors (2)

These captains need to be organized, innovative, and great at project management. They will be responsible for organizing, directing, and promoting THONvelope (letter writing) campaigns for the entire THON community. Additionally, the captains will be creating a strategic plan for promoting the matching of individual donations. All of their plans must be effectively communicated and promoted to THON Chairs through the DR liaisons. These captains will also be spearheading an effort to collect data on individual donors and working with the Benefiting captains to ensure all individual donors are properly thanked. To complete these tasks, the captains will be working with their committee members.

Benefiting (2)

These captains need to be organized, motivated, and really like to say ‘Thank you’! They are responsible for coordinating the efforts to thank and benefit all small business and corporate donors. In a new initiative, the role of these captains has expanded to include thanking individual THON donors as well. To accomplish all of these tasks, the captains will be working with their committee members. The position also involves the opportunity to be creative because the captains will be planning a new post-THON stewardship mailing.

Technology Liaison (1)

This captain should have great communication skills and be comfortable using some technology. They will be responsible for working with the Technology captains on DR projects that involve the THINK database and THON.org. The position also provides an opportunity to show off some writing skills because they will be collaborating on the ‘Featured Donor’ articles displayed bi-weekly on THON.org.

Donor & Chair Communications (1)

This captain should have both excellent written and verbal communication skills. Their main task will be working with the Communications captains to plan all Super Group events. They will be responsible for reviewing and editing all major communications from DR to donors and chairs. Additionally, this captain will be working on a plan to improve DR’s communication and relationship with THON Chairs.

Donor Retention (2)

These captains need to have wonderful communication skills and not be afraid of a challenge. Their main responsibility will be to build relationships with the THON 2008 small business and corporate donors and make sure they donate again For The Kids! Additionally, these captains will be developing a program to increase THON donor retention in the future.

CCSG (1)

This captain should be outgoing, energetic, and have terrific communication skills. The CCSG captain will be working closely with THON Chairs from around the Commonwealth to develop fundraising plans and contact potential donors. Additionally, this captain may be leading some break-out session for CCSG THON Chairs.

Alternative Fundraising (1)

This captain should be innovative, energetic, and enjoy working in teams. They will be working closely with Rules and Regulations and Public Relations Captains to review all potential alternative fundraisers submitted by organizations. It is their responsibility to assist organization in planning effective alternative fundraisers.