Volunteer Position: Fundraising Director

Organization: Sherrills Ford Optimist
Location: 1752 Molly’s Backbone Rd. Sherrills Ford Rd, Sherrills Ford NC 28673
Reports To: Board of Directors
Commitment: Part-Time Volunteer | Estimated 5–10 hours per week

About the Organization

Sherrills Ford Optimist is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through athletics. Our mission is to provide youth with access to structured sports programs that build confidence, leadership, teamwork, and lifelong skills.

Role Overview

The Volunteer Fundraising Director plays a critical leadership role in helping the organization meet its financial goals. This individual will guide and implement fundraising strategies, engage donors and community sponsors, and help coordinate campaigns and events that support youth athletic programs.

This is a volunteer, unpaid position ideal for someone passionate about youth development and looking to make a meaningful impact through fundraising expertise or community leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee a fundraising plan that supports annual program needs and long-term sustainability.
• Identify and pursue fundraising opportunities, including individual donors, sponsorships, grants, and special events.
• Cultivate relationships with local businesses, foundations, and community members to generate support.
• Collaborate with board members and volunteers to organize fundraising activities and campaigns.
• Create or coordinate donor communications, thank-you letters, and impact reports.
• Maintain donor and sponsor records using spreadsheets or donor management tools.
• Attend monthly board or leadership meetings (virtual or in-person).

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Prior experience in fundraising, sales, marketing, nonprofit development, or event planning.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to lead projects independently.
• Comfortable networking and making donation or sponsorship asks.
• Passion for youth athletics and community service.

Time Commitment

• Estimated 5–10 hours per week (flexible based on availability and event schedule).

Benefits of Volunteering

• Make a direct impact on the lives of young athletes.
• Gain valuable leadership and nonprofit development experience.
• Build relationships in the community and expand your professional network.
• Recognition on the organization’s website, at events, and in annual reports.

If you're passionate about helping youth thrive through sports and want to support our mission through fundraising leadership, please email your resume or a short statement of interest to jbeane@sfoptimist.org

Fall Sports
Registrations open early to mid-May (before school lets out)
Football, Soccer, Fall Volleyball, Cheer, Fall Baseball, Fall Softball

Winter Sports
Registrations open early to mid-September
Basketball

Spring Sports
Registrations open early-January
Baseball, Softball, Tee-ball, Spring Volleyball, Soccer (proposed)

Summer Sports
Adult Softball

Please Read Prior To Registration

As a parent / guardian, you agree to the participation rules set forth in this document. Please make sure you read and understand them prior to registering for a Sherrills Ford Optimist activity. 

Sherrills Ford Optimist is actively recruiting companies, groups, churches, and/or individuals to be sponsors for our Park. Please visit the Sponsorship page to see the levels available and to see the benefits of each level.  There is also a link to a form on that page where you select a sponsorship package, provide your company information, and pay all in one simple step. 

Sherrills Ford Optimist is a 501 (c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible. We welcome all donations and a receipt can be provided to you upon request. 

Use the "Donate" button below to donate via Paypal or send a check made out to Sherrills Ford Optimist to: 

Sherrills Ford Optimist

P.O. Box  32

Sherrills Ford, NC 28673

Questions about donations?  Send an email to info@sfoptimist.org

Sherrills Ford Optimist is the place for youth sports in Eastern Catawba County. We have been serving the youth and families of our area since 1975. For full details on the sports we offer, check out the sections below divided by sports season.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive notifications when registrations open!

Our park is operated 100% through volunteers, and we rely on fundraisers and sponsorships to keep our park operating for the youth in our community. Please see below if you are interested in donating to the park. For volunteer opportunities, please click here. 

For more information about ways to get involved, or to send an idea to our Board of Directors, please email info@SFOptimist.org.

More than 1,200 youth participate in our athletic activities each year.