Equality Ohio is seeking our next Events & Volunteer Coordinator to support key organizational events throughout the year. This role is ideal for an experienced event coordinator who thrives in dynamic, community-centered environments and enjoys bringing people together through thoughtful planning and meaningful engagement. Our Events & Volunteer Coordinator will support our presence at Pride celebrations across the state by coordinating materials, supplies, logistics, schedules and volunteers for approximately a dozen festivals Equality Ohio will attend in 2026. This role will also support the execution of a series of fundraising events throughout the year including Equality’s Ohio’s annual Advocates and Allies gala in October.
Position Details
SUPERVISOR | Director of Development and Communications
Contract Salary | $25/hour
CLASSIFICATION | Independent Contractor (up to 30 hours/week)
LOCATION | Columbus, Ohio-based is preferred, in-state location is flexible. We have physical offices in Columbus and Cleveland, and we are a hybrid remote / in-person work environment.
Duties
- Lead a collaborative planning process to define goals, roles, and responsibilities for the 2026 Pride season and other key events.
- Coordinate all logistical aspects of Pride participation, including registrations, schedules, supplies, materials distribution, budgets and internal documentation.
- Assess event-specific material and staffing needs; prepare and manage event budgets: order, track and distribute materials statewide and monitor inventory and reordering needs throughout the season.
- Support the annual review and implementation of Pride safety plans, including assisting with the development and delivery of safety training for staff and volunteers in coordination with the Advocacy Team.
- Recruit, train, schedule and support volunteers, staff, and board members; communicate timely and accurate information regarding roles, shifts and logistics and collect post-event feedback to support continuous improvement.
- Represent the organization at Pride festivals, planning meetings, webinars and partner events as needed.
- Ensure accurate collection, entry and syncing of event and outreach data by maintaining functional electronic devices, providing paper backup options and entering all collected data into internal systems.
- Provide planning and logistics support to other key Equality Ohio events.
- Participate in internal meetings, utilize organizational communication and data systems, and uphold the organization’s mission, values and commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with Pride organizers and external partners and collaborate with the Communications Department to provide accurate event information and content for public communications
- Assist with general marketing and communications administrative duties
- Shared Organization Responsibilities
- Upholding and advancing Equality Ohio’s vision, mission, and values.
- Participation in internal staff meetings, including weekly TouchPoints, monthly staff meetings, equity trainings, and period retreats and strategic planning sessions
- Adapting to and utilizing internal communications and document retention protocols and platforms
- Providing content and expertise to inform grant proposals and reports and funder communications as needed
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates are required to be/have:
- 2+ years of experience in an office or campaign environment
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as most Pride events take place on the weekends
- Strong understanding of digital platforms, social media management, and content creation (videos, photos, etc).
- Unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ Ohioans
- Awareness of the issue priorities, policy battles, and experiences of LGBTQ+ Ohioans
- Demonstrated passion for public interest and social justice work with a particular passion for the mission of Equality Ohio
- Familiarity with Race Equity and its relationship to the LGBTQ+ community and experience utilizing a Race Equity approach in organizing
- Proven ability to develop strategy, set goals and deliver results in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
- Strong leadership, management and interpersonal skills; commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Be proficient with Google Workspace applications and Google Drive
- Be willing to travel and have a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle with insurance
We prefer but do not require the following qualifications and skills:
- Direct experience working at an LGBTQ+ or trans-focused movement organization
- Previous Pride festival experience (as a volunteer or organizer)
- Experience with project management tools, including MOCHAs
- Demonstrated experience delegating responsibilities across a variety of roles
- Willingness to and comfort with making verbal and written appeals for monetary support
- An understanding that the process of changing hearts and minds is not overnight or immediate, which is a core element of our theory of change
- Familiarity with a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system and experience with Every Action in particular
- An understanding that the process of changing hearts and minds is not overnight or immediate, which is a core element of our theory of change
- Spanish speaker
Work Environment
Schedule
Equality Ohio’s regular business hours are 9:00am–5:00pm ET, Monday through Friday. This is an independent contractor position with a flexible schedule. The consultant will work closely with Equality Ohio’s Executive Director and Director of Development and Communications to plan how their time will be spent each week. In previous years, contractors have typically been available Wednesday through Sunday to handle planning, coordination, and on-site presence at Pride events. On average, this role has required about 30 hours per week over the summer, with June being the busiest month. During particularly active weeks, contractors have occasionally worked up to 50 hours.
Travel
This contract is based in Columbus, and can work at Equality Ohio’s Columbus office. The role will include travel within the state of Ohio to attend Pride festivals and provide support to staff for related events. The Contractor should be able to travel independently across the state, sometimes overnight. In-state travel outside of Columbus is estimated at approximately five (5) times per month. Travel will be reimbursed or paid for directly per EO’s internal policies and expense report procedures. Mileage is reimbursed at the standard IRS rate.
Physical Demands
The Events and Volunteer Coordinator requires a mixture of physical activity and sedentary environments. Individuals must be able to physically lift and move equipment and materials, such as tables, tents, and boxes up to 50 lbs, set up and be present at tables and/or booths to represent the organization at Pride festivals. The tabling may be done seated or standing or in combination. As this position requires attendance at outdoor festivals, there will likely be instances where the person encounters weather and outdoor elements, temperature fluctuations, enclosed spaces and noisy environments.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to support individuals with disabilities in performing the essential functions of this role.
Equal Employment Opportunity & Inclusion
Equality Ohio is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We understand that women, non-binary individuals and people of color may be less likely to apply unless they meet every qualification listed. We strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply, including those from nontraditional backgrounds, as we seek the best fit for the role.
We particularly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with gender-expansive identities. Equality Ohio is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, class, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, genetic information, marital status, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, criminal record (when not in conflict with organizational values or legal requirements) or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.


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