DESCRIPTION
Development Associate
The Highwood Theatre Inc. – Silver Spring, MD
Starting: 24 hours per week – expansion possible; teaching opportunities are also available
The Highwood Theatre is a non-profit organization dedicated to building community through innovative, inclusive theatre and arts programs at our home in downtown Silver Spring and in schools throughout the DC metropolitan area. www.thehighwoodtheatre.org.
The Highwood Theatre produces 13-14 professional and student mainstage productions annually, along with weekly improv comedy nights and other studio events, in addition to student classes, private lessons, summer camps, and extensive work in over 40 schools. Entering its 15th season, Highwood’s physical plant includes two black box theatres, rehearsal spaces, technical theatre spaces, and offices in downtown Silver Spring.
The Development Associate is responsible for developing and implementing effective, comprehensive individual and business giving strategies for achieving annual fundraising goals. As Highwood is currently enjoying rapid expansion, the Development Associate has a unique opportunity to develop strategies to help advance progress already made, both in dollar amounts and number of donors.
The annual campaign is divided into four major categories:
Individual Giving
Corporate Giving
Program Sponsorships
Program Advertising
Responsibilities:
Create, execute and manage a comprehensive plan for each year’s annual giving campaigns
Engage in direct outreach and solicitation for donations, either in-person, by phone, or in writing
Strive to meet goals for each category of the annual fundraising drive, and continually strive to engage more donors
Direct and help develop all aspects of donor benefits program including special events, cultivation, benefits fulfillment, daily donor interaction
Supervise the planning and development of solicitation materials for donor communications including print material, website content, solicitation presentations, correspondence and donor acknowledgments
Identify and research potential targets; develop own skills through continued research into arts fundraising practices
Report progress to senior management on a regular basis
Assist the Development Director with grant applications and research
Work with the Director of Marketing to document Highwood’s programming to help advance Fundraising work
Continually identify and proactively respond to new funding sources
Qualifications:
Experience with fundraising and development, preferably in arts/education organizations
Be able to demonstrate a successful track record of fundraising
Extremely strong organization and management skills
Be self-directed, flexible, a team player and a strategic thinker
Effective oral and written communication skills
Ability to analyze, think creatively and critically, and work well under pressure
Ability to adapt to change
Ability to multitask, prioritize, delegate, and work under deadlines
Ability to lead teams of volunteers or other staff members to their highest potential
Appreciation for Highwood’s Mission and interest in the Organization
HOW TO APPLY
info@thehighwoodtheatre.org