Now Hiring: Part-Time Event Planner & Sponsorship Coordinator

In-the-Parks.org is a dedicated nonprofit organization operating in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, with a mission to enhance the city's public parks and strengthen community bonds through innovative programming, events, and charitable initiatives. As a key player in the local community recreation scene, In-the-Parks.org provides free children’s classes, themed park events, and wellness programming designed to inspire active, imaginative, and healthy living. Beyond programming, the organization serves a crucial role in community fundraising by partnering with local causes to multiply impact and deliver essential support to neighborhood charities. This makes In-the-Parks.org a vital hub for community engagement, promoting social cohesion and a vibrant neighborhood culture through creative and accessible public offerings. Their approach centers on mobilizing sponsorships and partnerships, which are essential in driving local impact and supporting the organization’s sustainable growth and outreach efforts.

The role of Event Planner & Sponsorship Coordinator at In-the-Parks.org represents a significant leadership opportunity within this dynamic and community-focused organization. This position is based in Ravenswood, Chicago, and offers a competitive compensation package of $600 per week in base pay, complemented by generous commission structures of 20% on event ticket sales and 20% on sponsorships secured, providing a clear pathway for motivated individuals to achieve six-figure earnings and beyond.

The Event Planner & Sponsorship Coordinator will be entrusted with the full lifecycle management of community events, taking full ownership from initial planning through execution and follow-up. This hands-on leadership role demands a highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated professional capable of juggling numerous tasks simultaneously while maintaining exceptional standards of event quality and operational efficiency. They will serve as the central point of coordination for a variety of events, including farmers markets, recurring neighborhood events with attendance ranging from 600 to 800 people, monthly smaller events of about 100 to 200 attendees, and large-scale signature events drawing up to 10,000 attendees twice annually.

Day-to-day responsibilities include managing event logistics, scheduling, staffing, sponsorship outreach, and ensuring venues are efficiently utilized without overbooking. The role involves hands-on event coordination from setup through cleanup, daily collaboration with organizational leadership for planning and updates, and independent problem-solving in real time. A critical component of the position is securing sponsorships by fostering strong relationships with local businesses, partners, and organizations to drive funding and partnership growth. Managing budgets prudently, coordinating diverse teams including staff, volunteers, vendors, performers, and contractors is essential to executing seamless and successful events.

Ideal candidates will have at least two years of experience in event planning or coordination with a proven track record in securing sponsorships or partnerships, managing multiple projects, and working with budgets and operational logistics. Experience with community events, festivals, farmers markets, or nonprofit programming is highly valued, as is familiarity with sales or corporate partnership outreach. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, a proactive work ethic, and the ability to work evenings and weekends are critical to success in this role.

This position offers creative freedom supported by leadership, the potential for significant income growth through commission earnings, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the Ravenswood community. It is ideal for motivated professionals seeking to take ownership of a highly visible role that combines event management with community engagement and sponsorship development. Candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a resume and a brief message explaining their enthusiasm for this opportunity, highlighting relevant experience and past accomplishments in event planning and sponsorship coordination.