Development Manager - Nonprofit Dance School/Company

Development Manager - Nonprofit Dance School and Professional Company

San Jose Dance Theatre | San Jose, CA

Background

San Jose Dance Theatre (SJDT) promotes the positive impact of dance in Silicon Valley through accessible performances, excellent training, creative outreach, and collaboration across the arts. We strive to illuminate the human experience while enriching an appreciation of movement and music to an expanding and diverse audience. We value and maintain excellence in classical ballet and contemporary dance training in our school, pre-professional programs and professional ballet company, providing innovative opportunities for dancers of all levels. We seek to engage our community through collaboration with artists, arts organizations, government and private sectors.

Position Purpose & Objectives

• Develop Grant plan/timeline and write/submit grants for SJDT.
• Maintain and grow SJDT’s capacity for raising long-term, sustainable funds from individual and corporate donors through a structured, high-engagement major gifts program.
• Work closely with the President, members of the executive committee and board of directors and organization staff to foster and preserve a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Responsibilities

Development, Grant Writing/Administration and Fundraising

Develop and Work with the Board Fundraising Committee to set yearly goals and monitor progress. Research potential funding partners and develop grant proposals for private foundation, corporate, and government funders in support of program and project initiatives. Identify potential major donor support and cultivate gifts. Manage all communications with past, current, Administration Team Leadership and potential donors. Utilize existing Salsa tool or Research new fundraising tools and recommend implementation. Provide narrative or other information necessary for reporting to grantors on funded activity. Communicate regularly with funders about program progress and/or any proposed changes. Direct and manage special event fundraising including sponsorships and other support. Prepare development reports and documents for Board and related Committee meetings. Manage development and fundraising budget.

• Works in close collaboration with the Board of Directors to support and advance all efforts to raise over $500k annually, through a combination of major gifts, institutional or arts grants, corporate sponsorships and high-profile annual gala.

• With oversight from the Board of Directors and Artistic Director identifies, writes, and prepares compelling grant proposals, reports and budgets for funders and partners.

• Manages a grant tracking system to meticulously track all deliverable due dates and reporting deadlines in an accurate manner.

• Coordinates with Program Coordinator, Accountant and Finance & Marketing Committees to gather all needed information, statistics and collateral to prepare and write up-to-date and compelling grant proposals, funder pitches and donor communications

• Actively participate in SJDT’s strategic efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in the organization qualifications and the arts community

• Performs prospecting research to create briefs/profiles about aligned priorities and giving patterns, and to recommend approaches for both individual and foundation donors.

• In conjunction with the Board of Directors or committees, supports various donor growth activities, including one-on-one and site visits, tours, volunteer events and other small gatherings. Cultivates, stewards, solicits a pipeline of mid-level donors and prospects, as appropriate.

• Builds a growth strategy for and creates opportunities for engaging new lower-to-mid-level individual donors, with an eye toward demonstrating the impact of their giving and growing their gifts to include support of online campaigns and other fundraising efforts.  Utilize existing Salsa platform or bring other ideas/solutions to the table for consideration.

• Becomes an expert about SJDT and excels in telling our story to donors, prospects and volunteers. Acts as a poised, clear and compelling spokesperson for the organization as needed at in-person fundraising, cultivation and volunteer events.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience in development and fundraising, including grant writing.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with demonstrated success in achieving revenue goals
• 2+ years experience successfully managing a team
• Direct experience interfacing with donors, with a sound understanding of development best-practices and steps required to building strong donor relationships.
• Understanding of the local, state, regional, and national arts ecosystem
• Self-motivated, results driven, detail oriented, and adaptable. Proven success working within a highly flexible, entrepreneurial culture.
• Exceptional interpersonal and facilitation skills with a track record of developing strong relationships with colleagues, partners, funders, and individual donors
• Strong organizational and planning skills and attention to detail, with ability to anticipate, initiate, and advance multiple priorities and projects concurrently
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven ability to tell a compelling story.
• Flexibility and a proven ability to innovate and find creative solutions to challenges.
• Experience using donor databases/CRM systems and a commitment to data integrity.
• Intermediate proficiency using: Fundraising/development platforms and/or CRM database systems; Salsa, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

Certified Grant Writer (CGW)

San Jose Dance Theatre  (https://www.sjdt.org)

Subjects

Arts / Dance/Ballet/Contemporary / Culture

Job Type

Development/Grant Writing/Fundraising

Fundraising Organization Type

Nonprofit Organizations