Development and Program VolunteerAt — Friends of Leaps & Bounds Pediatric Therapy

Overview:

Friends of Leaps & Bounds is seeking enthusiastic and mission-driven volunteers to support both our development efforts and therapeutic programming. This is a dual-purpose role perfect for individuals interested in gaining nonprofit experience, supporting children with disabilities, and contributing to meaningful community-based events.

Key Responsibilities:

Development Support:

• Assist with fundraising events, community outreach, and donor stewardship activities

• Help prepare materials and giveaways for events and campaigns

• Support data entry and tracking for donor management systems (training provided)

• Assist in social media or marketing tasks if interested

Program Support:

• Help set up and clean up for sessions and events (e.g., Adaptive Riding, Fjona & Friends, Parent Nights)

• Greet families and assist with check-in or wayfinding

• Support staff with non-clinical tasks during programs or activities

• Take photos (if permitted) or help document moments for storytelling

Qualifications:

• Friendly, reliable, and mission-aligned

• Able to take direction and work both independently and with a team

• Willingness to support a variety of tasks as needed

• Must complete volunteer onboarding, including a background check if regularly on-site

Perks:

• Hands-on nonprofit and event experience

• Opportunity to make a direct impact in the lives of the families we serve

• Letters of recommendation or school credit (upon request)

• Swag, snacks, and good vibes!

Tasks:

Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Engagement Support

Assist in the preparation and distribution of donor acknowledgment materials and fundraising mailings

Support planning and logistics for fundraising campaigns and community outreach events

Use donor database tools (e.g., Eleo or Classy) to update records, pull reports, and analyze giving trends

Assist in drafting donor communications or social media content to support development efforts

Program Support and Event Logistics

Assist with logistical coordination of therapeutic events and on-site programming (e.g., Adaptive Riding, Fjona & Friends, Parent Night)

Support set-up and break-down of events and assist with client and family check-ins

Help track participant feedback and assist with reporting post-event outcomes

Community Outreach & Marketing

Participate in outreach efforts such as flyering, community tabling, or digital campaign support

Collaborate on the development of promotional materials, including brochures, flyers, and social media graphics

Research and identify new community partnerships or in-kind donation opportunities to support programming

Administrative & Project-Based Work

Conduct literature reviews, case study summaries, or best practice research for nonprofit operations or therapeutic programming

Prepare meeting materials, summaries, or data visualizations for internal staff or board presentations

Collaborate with staff to streamline internal processes (e.g., volunteer tracking systems or event registration systems)

Professional Development & Reflective Practice

Participate in weekly mentorship check-ins to evaluate progress toward learning outcomes

Shadow various departments to explore nonprofit career paths

Maintain a reflective journal or contribute to a short final report summarizing key takeaways, challenges, and accomplishments

Training:

Students participating in this placement will receive structured support and training to ensure a meaningful learning experience and to facilitate the stated outcomes. Training includes:

Mandatory General Orientation: All students begin with a general orientation to Friends of Leaps & Bounds, including our mission, values, and safety protocols. This includes an overview of our therapeutic programs and development operations.

One-on-One Mentorship: Weekly check-ins with the Development and Programs Assistant provide personalized guidance, goal setting, and reflection opportunities.

Hands-On Job Shadowing: Students will shadow key staff during both program delivery and event/fundraising preparation to gain real-world insight into nonprofit operations.

Task Contextualization & Sample Materials: Assigned tasks are introduced with clear explanations, background information, and sample documents or templates to support success.

Skills Training Opportunities: As needed, students may receive training in areas such as using donor databases (e.g., Eleo or Classy), writing for fundraising, or event planning logistics.

Collaborative Reflection: Students are encouraged to ask questions, provide feedback, and reflect on their experiences to enhance their learning and contribution throughout the placement.

Learning Outcome:

Gain Hands-On Experience in Nonprofit Development and Fundraising
Volunteers will learn how community-based nonprofits plan and execute fundraising events, steward donors, and manage development operations. This includes exposure to donor databases, campaign preparation, and event logistics.

Develop Professional Communication and Outreach Skills
Through direct interaction with families, donors, and staff, volunteers will strengthen their interpersonal communication, customer service, and public engagement abilities—key transferable skills in any career field.

Understand Inclusive Programming and Adaptive Services
Volunteers will develop a deeper understanding of how programs are adapted for individuals with disabilities and how inclusive practices are implemented in therapeutic and recreational settings.

Enhance Teamwork and Problem-Solving Abilities in a Dynamic Environment
Volunteers will work collaboratively across departments and learn to adapt quickly to the changing needs of a busy nonprofit, enhancing their ability to manage multiple priorities with professionalism.

Explore Career Pathways in Nonprofit, Therapy, Education, or Human Services
By participating in both development and program support, volunteers will be exposed to a wide range of roles and career possibilities within the nonprofit and healthcare services sectors.