Director of Corporate Giving & Community Impact

Cooking Up Hope Organization | Rise Up Restaurants

Position Summary

The Director of Corporate Giving & Community Impact serves as the strategic leader of Cooking Up Hope, the charitable and community impact program of Rise Up Restaurants. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Organization's fundraising, corporate partnerships, employee assistance programs, volunteer initiatives, food donation programs, community engagement efforts, and nonprofit operations.

The Director will drive revenue growth through corporate sponsorships, charitable giving campaigns, donor stewardship, cause marketing initiatives, employee engagement programs, and community partnerships. This individual will serve as the primary ambassador for Cooking Up Hope while collaborating with executive leadership, operations, human resources, marketing, finance, and community stakeholders to maximize the Organization's impact across all markets.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Corporate Giving & Fundraising

• Develop and execute a comprehensive corporate giving strategy aligned with Cooking Up Hope's mission and annual fundraising goals.
• Secure and steward corporate sponsorships, charitable donations, grants, and strategic partnerships.
• Build and maintain a diversified portfolio of corporate partners, community organizations, vendors, and mission-aligned businesses.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and sponsors through meaningful engagement and relationship management.
• Lead proposal development, sponsorship agreements, partnership renewals, and fundraising campaigns.
• Develop cause marketing initiatives, donation drives, employee giving campaigns, and point-of-sale fundraising opportunities.
• Establish annual fundraising targets, pipeline goals, and performance metrics.

Community Impact & Engagement

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and representative for Cooking Up Hope and Rise Up Restaurants' philanthropic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, and charitable organizations.
• Identify opportunities to expand the organization's community presence and social impact across all markets.
• Lead company-wide volunteer programs, service projects, and community outreach initiatives.
• Manage the organization's food donation program and community support efforts.
• Promote employee engagement through volunteerism, fundraising, and community involvement opportunities.

Employee Assistance Programs

• Oversee employee hardship assistance and relief programs designed to support team members experiencing catastrophic or unforeseen circumstances.
• Manage application review processes, fund distribution, and program administration while maintaining confidentiality and fairness.
• Track program outcomes and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Communications & Brand Awareness

• Develop internal and external communications, impact reports, presentations, newsletters, and promotional materials highlighting the Organization’s work.
• Partner with Marketing and Communications teams to increase awareness of Cooking Up Hope initiatives.
• Share stories, outcomes, and impact metrics that demonstrate the value of donor contributions and volunteer efforts.
• Ensure sponsors and donors receive appropriate recognition and stewardship.

Nonprofit Operations & Governance

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Organization and ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, policies, and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate Board meetings, agendas, reporting, and governance activities.
• Maintain nonprofit records, policies, bylaws, and conflict-of-interest documentation.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and board members to advance strategic priorities and leverage community relationships.

Financial Management & Reporting

• Develop and manage annual Organization budgets.
• Monitor fundraising performance, donations, grants, and expenditures.
• Analyze program and fundraising data to support strategic decision-making.
• Prepare regular reports for executive leadership, board members, and stakeholders.
• Establish and track key performance indicators related to fundraising, volunteer participation, employee assistance, and community impact.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Lead special projects and strategic initiatives that support the Organization’s mission.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on community engagement, philanthropy, and social impact strategies.
• Recruit, develop, and support volunteers, committee members, and future Organization team members as the organization grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Human Resources, Marketing, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, corporate partnerships, community engagement, philanthropy, employee assistance programs, or business development.
• Demonstrated success securing sponsorships, donations, grants, or strategic partnerships.
• Experience building relationships with community organizations, donors, corporate partners, and executive stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit governance, compliance, and board relations preferred.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong project management, organizational, and strategic planning abilities.
• Experience managing budgets, performance metrics, and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising or CRM platforms preferred.
• Ability to travel periodically to support the organization's initiatives and community events.

Why Join Rise Up Restaurants?

At Rise Up Restaurants, we believe in People, Pride & Passion. Through Cooking Up Hope, we are committed to supporting our team members, strengthening our communities, and creating meaningful impact beyond our restaurant walls. This role offers the unique opportunity to build and grow a charitable program that changes lives while supporting more than 220 restaurant locations across multiple states.