Director of Development

SMB seeks a strategic, successful, and hands-on fundraiser to assume leadership of our development efforts with an aim to substantially increase individual and institutional contributions. The Director of Development will work collaboratively with the Managing Director, Artistic Director, and the Development Committee of SMB’s Board of Directors and will be responsible for developing and driving fundraising strategy, increasing philanthropic revenue, providing an exceptional donor/funder/prospect experience, and fostering an organizational culture of giving and gratitude.

This full-time, exempt 40-hour per week position will report to SMB’s Managing Director. Much work will be remote, except for meetings with donors, fundraising events, periodic staff or supervisory meetings, program concerts, etc.

A successful Director of Development will:

• Maintain a thorough understanding of SMB’s mission, vision, programming, and strategic plan
• Leverage knowledge and expertise of fundraising strategies and the local landscape of philanthropy to lead SMB’s development efforts
• Develop, implement, and continually assess an annual development plan and strategies for raising and diversifying organizational revenue through timely and targeted solicitation, stewardship, and retention of individuals, foundations, businesses, and/or other local, state, and federal government sources
• Solicit individual, major, corporate, and foundation gifts
• Plan and execute specific campaigns to meet fundraising goals
• Serve as a compelling and passionate ambassador for SMB’s work our audiences
• Bring new ideas and strategies to individual and institutional fundraising efforts and support priorities set by SMB’s senior leadership (Managing and Artistic Directors), performing other duties as assigned.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Individual giving

• Identify a robust pipeline of prospective donors, including high-potential prospects, and craft a moves management strategy for each
• Conduct personalized outreach to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and prospects, as well as collaborate with Managing Director, Artistic Director, and board members on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship opportunities, including customized “asks” of donors and prospects
• Produce solicitation materials including biannual appeal letters, thank you letters, and the like

Institutional fundraising

• Conduct research to build a pipeline of prospective foundation and corporate funders
• Contribute to the development of a comprehensive grant plan and calendar, including research, proposals, budgets, and reporting
• Develop a sustainable corporate partnership program, including the build out and implementation of our “Lunch, Learn, and Listen” program and securing corporate sponsorships

Communications

• Create a development communications plan and calendar (one that contributes to and supports overall organizational communications), including print, web, email, and social media content
• Manage the execution of mailings, invitations, e-newsletters, and other fundraising communications
• Determine the need for and support the creation of collateral materials for SMB, such as brochures, informational pages or packets, postcards, annual reports, etc., to support fundraising efforts

Events

• Plan and execute fundraising and stewardship events, including annual Music & Meaning Concert Celebration, house concerts, community events, and more
• Capitalize on opportunities for fundraising events in collaboration with community partners and other groups
• Adopt a hands-on approach to event management by overseeing strategy and implementation details such as venue, food, program, printing, invitations, promotion and marketing, ticketing, sponsorships, etc.

Data Tracking, Analysis, and Reporting

• Oversee and maintain SMB’s donor database (DonorPerfect) by ensuring consistent usage across users and accurate and detailed records, gift entry and the generation of gift acknowledgements, and the production of accurate reports
• Manage the integration of the database with other software applications, E-letter communications, and related needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

We understand that no one candidate will have all of the following qualifications and that there are a number of ways to gain relevant experience for this position. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

• Preference for at least five years in the fundraising field, with at least two in a management or leadership position.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Skilled fundraiser with a proven track record of growing individual gifts
• Demonstrated success in grant writing, major gifts, stewardship, and corporate partnerships
• Familiarity with database management
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including experience writing donor solicitations and grant proposals and the ability to clearly communicate ideas across multiple audience types
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to interact graciously with the public, develop relationships with prospects, donors, and other stakeholders, and handle confidential information with discretion
• Strong coordinative and organizational skills, including a keen attention to detail, demonstrable follow-through, and ability to juggle multiple projects in ongoing stages
• Experience with content development for web, social media, and email
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Weebly (or other website platforms), Canva, social media platforms and scheduling tools
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively in a hands-on fashion, despite primarily remote work, with a small but dedicated team.
• Capacity to work independently and to establish and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of and experience with Boston’s philanthropic community (particularly in the arts).
• Commitment to SMB’s mission, vision, and values, including cultural equity and anti-racism (a complete statement of values is on our website).

TO APPLY

Cover letter outlining professional accomplishments and what makes you a good fit for Shelter Music Boston and this position
Current resume or CV
Names and contact information for two (2) references
For questions or application submissions, please contact Carrie Eldridge-Dickson, Managing Director, at carrie@sheltermusicboston.org.