Sponsorship Director

Company Description

Cues For Cancer was founded by Darrell Wood, who turned his own journey with cancer into a lifelong mission to support others facing a similar diagnosis. After completing surgeries and chemotherapy during his college years, Darrell was declared cancer-free — an experience that, alongside the outpouring of support behind the grassroots #CuesForDarrell campaign, inspired him to build an organization rooted in community, resilience, and artistic expression.

Grounded in the theater and performance world, Cues For Cancer harnesses the power of the performing arts to raise awareness, offer encouragement, and build connection for individuals and families impacted by cancer. Darrell's own background in theater, dance, and choral performance — including appearances at Carnegie Hall — shapes the organization's creative, collaborative approach to healing.

Cues For Cancer is a Norfolk, Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Joining our team means joining a small, passionate, purpose-driven group that values empathy, dedication, and innovation — and isn't afraid to do things differently.

Inspire Hope. Transform Lives.

Role Description

The Sponsorship Director is a volunteer leadership role supporting the development and management of sponsorships and strategic partnerships that advance Cues For Cancer's mission. This hybrid role is based in Norfolk, VA, with a mix of on-site work and work-from-home flexibility, and reports directly to the Executive Director. As an unpaid volunteer position, hours are flexible and can be structured around the volunteer's availability — [X hours/week to be confirmed]. This role can also count toward internship or practicum credit for students, where applicable, and Cues For Cancer is glad to provide a letter of recommendation or professional reference for volunteers in good standing.

Day to day, this volunteer will:
• Identify and research prospective sponsors — corporations, healthcare systems, and local businesses — aligned with Cues For Cancer's mission and audience.
• Prepare sponsorship outreach materials, proposals, and pitch decks tailored to different sponsor tiers and interests.
• Maintain and update the sponsor database and pipeline, tracking outreach status and follow-up.
• Coordinate ongoing communication with current and prospective sponsors, ensuring commitments and benefits (recognition, event access, promotional placement) are delivered as promised.
• Support the planning and execution of Cues For Cancer's signature programs — including the Curtain Call for Hope benefit concert and Creative Spark Workshops — with a focus on sponsor-facing logistics and visibility.
• Conduct basic research on sponsorship trends, comparable nonprofit partnerships, and potential funding sources.
• Report on sponsorship performance and pipeline progress to the Executive Director.
• Collaborate with the marketing and events team to ensure sponsorships are integrated into broader organizational campaigns and goals.

Qualifications
• Demonstrated interest or experience in sponsorship sales, corporate partnerships, or fundraising, with the ability to understand a sponsor's needs and translate them into a compelling value proposition.
• Foundational relationship-building skills — outreach, follow-up, and the ability to represent Cues For Cancer professionally and warmly with external partners.
• Exposure to or experience in event coordination, particularly logistics tied to sponsor benefits and recognition.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and comfort presenting ideas to both internal team members and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple initiatives in a small-team environment and meet deadlines with minimal oversight.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently — this is a lean, mission-driven team where initiative goes a long way.
• Proficiency with everyday office and collaboration tools (Google Workspace, email, shared documents); experience with a CRM or sponsorship-tracking tool is a plus, not a requirement.
• Genuine interest in nonprofit work, arts and culture, or cancer advocacy. Prior volunteer or internship experience in these areas is a plus, but passion and follow-through matter more than a resume line.
• Comfort with a fully volunteer, mission-first environment — this role offers real leadership experience and impact rather than compensation.