For the past four years, the Washington West African Center has proudly organized the Sounds of Africa Festival, a cultural celebration that showcases African music, fashion, food, and traditions while bringing together communities across Snohomish County.
The 2026 edition of the festival (Sounds of Africa 4.0) will take place on August 15, 2026, at Garfield Park. As the festival continues to grow in scale and community impact, the center is seeking a Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator to help secure financial support and resources for the event. Historically, the festival has been organized without formal funding, relying primarily on community volunteers, small contributions, and in-kind support. As the event expands, the organization is now looking to develop a more sustainable funding strategy to support the festival’s logistics, programming, and long-term growth. Role Overview The Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator will work closely with the leadership and executive team of the center to identify funding opportunities and develop fundraising strategies that support the successful planning and implementation of the festival. This role will focus on grant writing, sponsorship development, and community fundraising initiatives to help ensure the sustainability and continued growth of the festival. Key Responsibilities The Fundraising Coordinator will help lead fundraising efforts by: • Identifying and applying for grants from foundations, cultural organizations, and government programs • Researching funding opportunities for arts, cultural, and community events • Developing sponsorship packages for businesses and community partners • Reaching out to potential corporate sponsors and local businesses • Assisting with donation campaigns and community fundraising initiatives • Coordinating fundraising strategies in collaboration with the leadership team • Supporting fundraising-related communications and outreach • Helping track fundraising goals and donor relationships • Working with the event coordinator and other departments to understand funding needs Possible Fundraising Activities The coordinator may help organize initiatives such as: • Grant applications for cultural and arts programming • Corporate sponsorship outreach • Community fundraising campaigns • Online donation drives • Benefit events or cultural fundraising activities • Partnerships with local businesses and cultural organizations Support and Resources The selected volunteer will receive: • Training and guidance from the leadership of the center • Access to past festival documentation and materials • Support from the executive assistants and event planning team • Collaboration with the event coordinator and other departments Ideal Candidate This role is ideal for someone who: • Has experience or interest in grant writing or nonprofit fundraising • Is organized and able to manage multiple opportunities and deadlines • Has strong communication and relationship-building skills • Is passionate about supporting cultural programs and community events • Enjoys helping nonprofit initiatives grow and become sustainable How to Apply Interested candidates can contact the Washington West African Center by:
