Association of Fundraising Professionals
Development Director
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Astoria, Oregon, United States, 97103
LIBERTY THEATRE ASTORIA (Liberty Restoration, Inc.)
Development Director Job Description
Reports to: Executive Director | Classification: Full-time, Exempt | Location: Astoria, Oregon
Position Summary The Development Director will lead Liberty Theatre's fundraising efforts by building robust development systems from the ground up. This position requires a strategic, detail-oriented professional who can create and implement comprehensive fundraising programs while maintaining strong personal relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners. This role requires evening and weekend work according to the theater's performance schedule and donor cultivation needs.
Core Responsibilities Strategic Development Leadership
Build a comprehensive development infrastructure, including donor database management, gift processing systems, and stewardship protocols.
Create and execute annual development plans with specific revenue goals and timelines.
Major Gift Fundraising
Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects ($1,000+) through strategic relationship building.
Develop and manage donor pipeline with quarterly prospect review and upgrade strategies.
Coordinate Executive Director's involvement in major gift solicitations with advance planning and briefing materials.
Create compelling proposals and solicitation materials for major gift prospects.
Donor Relations & Stewardship
Maintain a regular, systematic donor cultivation schedule with documented touchpoints and outcomes.
Prioritize personal outreach methods (phone calls, in-person meetings) appropriate to donor preferences and generational differences.
Respond promptly to donor inquiries via phone, email, and in-person.
Schedule and attend regular coffee meetings, lunches, and informal gatherings with donors and prospects.
Coordinate complementary tickets and special theater experiences for key donors.
Plan and execute donor appreciation events and personalized stewardship activities.
Ensure timely and meaningful communication and recognition for all gifts.
Annual Fund & Events Management
Plan and execute signature fundraising events (Anniversary event in April, Fall Gala in September, End of Year Giving) with detailed workflows beginning 6-8 months in advance.
Create donor solicitation strategies and provide the Executive Director with specific prospect lists and talking points, a minimum 12 weeks before events.
Ensure event invitations and marketing materials are distributed with adequate lead time (minimum 8 weeks).
Sustaining Giving Programs
Grow and optimize the Curtain Call Club monthly donor program beyond the current 350 members through a year-over-year moves strategy and relationship building.
Implement a tiered giving structure with strategic benefits to encourage gift upgrades and practical implementation.
Capital Campaign Management
Collaborate with the Executive Director and campaign consultants to develop and implement a comprehensive capital campaign strategy.
Cultivate and solicit leadership gifts while coordinating volunteer solicitation teams for campaign prospects.
Create and maintain campaign communications, donor recognition systems, and pledge management protocols.
Corporate & Foundation Relations
Research and cultivate foundation and corporate sponsors aligned with Liberty Theatre's mission.
Build and maintain personal relationships with foundation program officers and corporate decision-makers through meetings, site visits, and ongoing communication.
Oversee grant portfolio management and strategy in collaboration with the grant writer.
Participate in strategic networking activities that are ROI focused and directly advance fundraising goals.
Marketing & Communications Support
Collaborate with marketing staff on donor communications, annual reports, and fundraising materials.
Maintain current knowledge of theater programming to communicate impact to donors effectively.
Required Qualifications Experience & Skills
Minimum 3-5 years of professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success in multiple fundraising areas.
Proven track record of building development programs and donor relationships.
Experience with major gift solicitation and campaign management.
Strong project management skills with the ability to plan events and campaigns.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Personal Characteristics
Self-starter who can build systems from scratch without extensive oversight.
Strategic thinker who can balance big-picture planning with detailed execution.
Relationship-focused with strong interpersonal skills across generational differences and personality types.
Comfortable working flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends for events and donor cultivation.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
Able to work independently and manage own workload with minimal day-to-day supervision.
Technical Requirements
Proficiency with donor database management (DonorPerfect, Blackbaud, or similar).
Intermediate Microsoft Office and Google Workspace skills.
Experience with email marketing platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
CFRE certification preferred or willingness to pursue.
Experience in arts and culture fundraising.
Previous experience creating and growing development infrastructure.
Performance Expectations Annual fundraising goals will be established collaboratively during the first 90 days based on historical data, organizational capacity, and strategic priorities. Measurable yearly revenue growth is expected as development systems and donor relationships are strengthened.
Work Environment & Compensation This position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends for theater performances, donor cultivation activities, strategic meetings, and events. Ability to travel within Oregon and SW Washington for donor and sponsor meetings required.
Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience, health insurance contribution, retirement plan participation, professional development opportunities, and complimentary theater tickets.
Liberty Theatre is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
Due to proximity to children through our Kids Make Theatre program and access to confidential donor information, this position requires successful completion of background checks.
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Position Summary The Development Director will lead Liberty Theatre's fundraising efforts by building robust development systems from the ground up. This position requires a strategic, detail-oriented professional who can create and implement comprehensive fundraising programs while maintaining strong personal relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners. This role requires evening and weekend work according to the theater's performance schedule and donor cultivation needs.
Core Responsibilities Strategic Development Leadership
Build a comprehensive development infrastructure, including donor database management, gift processing systems, and stewardship protocols.
Create and execute annual development plans with specific revenue goals and timelines.
Major Gift Fundraising
Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects ($1,000+) through strategic relationship building.
Develop and manage donor pipeline with quarterly prospect review and upgrade strategies.
Coordinate Executive Director's involvement in major gift solicitations with advance planning and briefing materials.
Create compelling proposals and solicitation materials for major gift prospects.
Donor Relations & Stewardship
Maintain a regular, systematic donor cultivation schedule with documented touchpoints and outcomes.
Prioritize personal outreach methods (phone calls, in-person meetings) appropriate to donor preferences and generational differences.
Respond promptly to donor inquiries via phone, email, and in-person.
Schedule and attend regular coffee meetings, lunches, and informal gatherings with donors and prospects.
Coordinate complementary tickets and special theater experiences for key donors.
Plan and execute donor appreciation events and personalized stewardship activities.
Ensure timely and meaningful communication and recognition for all gifts.
Annual Fund & Events Management
Plan and execute signature fundraising events (Anniversary event in April, Fall Gala in September, End of Year Giving) with detailed workflows beginning 6-8 months in advance.
Create donor solicitation strategies and provide the Executive Director with specific prospect lists and talking points, a minimum 12 weeks before events.
Ensure event invitations and marketing materials are distributed with adequate lead time (minimum 8 weeks).
Sustaining Giving Programs
Grow and optimize the Curtain Call Club monthly donor program beyond the current 350 members through a year-over-year moves strategy and relationship building.
Implement a tiered giving structure with strategic benefits to encourage gift upgrades and practical implementation.
Capital Campaign Management
Collaborate with the Executive Director and campaign consultants to develop and implement a comprehensive capital campaign strategy.
Cultivate and solicit leadership gifts while coordinating volunteer solicitation teams for campaign prospects.
Create and maintain campaign communications, donor recognition systems, and pledge management protocols.
Corporate & Foundation Relations
Research and cultivate foundation and corporate sponsors aligned with Liberty Theatre's mission.
Build and maintain personal relationships with foundation program officers and corporate decision-makers through meetings, site visits, and ongoing communication.
Oversee grant portfolio management and strategy in collaboration with the grant writer.
Participate in strategic networking activities that are ROI focused and directly advance fundraising goals.
Marketing & Communications Support
Collaborate with marketing staff on donor communications, annual reports, and fundraising materials.
Maintain current knowledge of theater programming to communicate impact to donors effectively.
Required Qualifications Experience & Skills
Minimum 3-5 years of professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success in multiple fundraising areas.
Proven track record of building development programs and donor relationships.
Experience with major gift solicitation and campaign management.
Strong project management skills with the ability to plan events and campaigns.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Personal Characteristics
Self-starter who can build systems from scratch without extensive oversight.
Strategic thinker who can balance big-picture planning with detailed execution.
Relationship-focused with strong interpersonal skills across generational differences and personality types.
Comfortable working flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends for events and donor cultivation.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
Able to work independently and manage own workload with minimal day-to-day supervision.
Technical Requirements
Proficiency with donor database management (DonorPerfect, Blackbaud, or similar).
Intermediate Microsoft Office and Google Workspace skills.
Experience with email marketing platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
CFRE certification preferred or willingness to pursue.
Experience in arts and culture fundraising.
Previous experience creating and growing development infrastructure.
Performance Expectations Annual fundraising goals will be established collaboratively during the first 90 days based on historical data, organizational capacity, and strategic priorities. Measurable yearly revenue growth is expected as development systems and donor relationships are strengthened.
Work Environment & Compensation This position requires flexibility to work evenings and weekends for theater performances, donor cultivation activities, strategic meetings, and events. Ability to travel within Oregon and SW Washington for donor and sponsor meetings required.
Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience, health insurance contribution, retirement plan participation, professional development opportunities, and complimentary theater tickets.
Liberty Theatre is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
Due to proximity to children through our Kids Make Theatre program and access to confidential donor information, this position requires successful completion of background checks.
#J-18808-Ljbffr