Studio East
Training for the Performing Arts
Development Director
Position Summary
Studio East Training for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization that has relied on the support of generous donors from the audience we serve and our community to bring our programming to life for 30 years. Philanthropic contributions advance our mission to create confident, compassionate, responsible young people through training in the art and craft of theater and ensures organizational stability.
The Development Director is a full-time position responsible for developing and implementing engagement and fundraising strategies to enhance and grow contributed revenue through board engagement, individual giving, corporate giving, event-based fundraising and cultivation and stewardship of current and prospective donors. The Development Director will lead donor engagement (identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship) and deepen relationships by providing extraordinary cultivation and exceeding expectations in donor stewardship. Works closely with Studio East leadership, consultants, board of directors, and colleagues, to help build a philanthropic vision for Studio East as the organization looks ahead to an important development period.
The Development Director will also recruit and supervise volunteers to help with donor cultivation events and annual fundraising events. Paramount to this position is the ability to work with a high degree of independence, and juggle various projects at once, while maintaining a clear understanding of donor cultivation and moves management.
Key Responsibilities
Major Gifts
- Manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors and research and work to continually identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward current and new constituents for operating, endowment, program/project, campaign, and planned gifts
- Create and execute on an annual individual fundraising plan that delivers on overall organizational fundraising goals
- Spearhead the fundraising strategy that is planned around individual giving and fundraising events
- Oversee all aspects of the donor cultivation cycle (cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship) to fulfill annual revenue
- Develop and implement short and long-term fundraising plan in consultation with leadership to secure financial support from individuals
- Identify and cultivate new donors and increase current donors’ level of support annually
- Lead the efforts of 2 large fundraising events; one in the fall and one in the spring
- Support leadership’s relationships with identifying board prospects while cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding interactions with current board members
- Prepare written materials, including correspondence, proposals, solicitations, acknowledgements
- Leverage existing supporters to steward, cultivate, and acquire new donors
- Participate in planning and implementation of annual development budget and plan
- Collaborate across departments such as marketing and accounting in support and execution of fundraising efforts
- Maintain accurate, detailed records and reports to track communications and donations
- Other responsibilities as assigned to ensure successful growth and operational stability
Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain year-round relationships with prospects and donors. Work to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors leveraging personal and professional contacts and relationships into fundraising opportunities
- Develop corporate and individual donor engagement plans to help create meaningful relationships and implement strategies to ensure year-round relationships to increase revenue with both short-term and long-term goals
Other Duties
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the Washington state philanthropic community is an asset
- Familiarity with “moves management”
- Demonstrated writing ability – cultivation content, proposals, acknowledgements, and reports
- Experience utilizing CRM/database management
- Ability to develop creative fundraising strategies to engage a broad range of donors and partners
- Strong verbal, interpersonal communication, and authentic relationship building skills
- Confident, professional, and passionate about Studio East’s mission
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, display self-motivation, set priorities, and meet deadlines
- Ability to handle multiple projects and commitments concurrently
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Master collaborator, exhibiting positive impact on organizational culture with proven ability to work effectively within wide variety of relationships
- Problem-solver delivering creative solutions
- Ability to get others excited about, and committed to, furthering the organization’s mission
- Proactive, flexible and team player
- Display highest standards in ethics, values, and confidentiality
- Empathy, creativity, thoughtfulness, and energy
- Proficient computer skills to include Microsoft Office Suite
Qualifications
- Individual and corporate relationship building, reporting, and targeted goals
- Proficient computer skills – Microsoft Office, CRM software, database management
- Proven record of donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Proven history of managing donor portfolios and making successful asks at all levels
- Experience in long-term strategy goal setting and implementation
- Experience in event strategizing and fulfillment
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of 6+ years of major gifts/fundraising experience in non-profit and/or higher education environment required, including prospect solicitation and management. Or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates both the required knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the position and a successful track record of securing and growing donor gifts.
Preferred Qualifications
- BA or MA degree preferred
Position Specifications
- Full-time exempt position
- Some evenings and weekends required
- Salary range $75-90,000, commensurate with experience
- Hybrid remote and onsite work schedule
- Benefits include health and dental plan; paid sick, vacation and holiday; and 401(k) matching contributions
- Successful criminal background check required
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required
- Local travel required; ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed; proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used is required
- May need to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.
To apply
