Development Manager

Featured III

Apr 15

Written By Yolanda F. Johnson

Rehabilitation Through the Arts
Purchase, NY

Anticipated Start Date: May 30, 2025

Description

Rehabilitation for the Arts (RTA) is seeking a passionate and driven Development Manager to play a critical role in advancing our mission of providing rehabilitative arts programming to individuals impacted by incarceration. This position will focus on cultivating relationships with mid-level donors, managing the donor pool, conducting strategic donor research, and coordinating key fundraising events. The ideal candidate will bring a blend of creativity, strategy, and strong relationship-building skills to the development team, helping drive RTA’s fundraising efforts and expand our impact within the community.

Responsibilities

Mid-Level Giving Management

Manage and grow a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects, typically those contributing between $500 and $5,000 annually, to support RTA’s transformative programs.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to engage donors and enhance long-term relationships.
Collaborate with RTA's communications team to design compelling, donor-centered messaging and campaigns that reflect our mission and impact.
Identify opportunities to elevate mid-level donors into major gift prospects, ensuring clear pathways for engagement and increased contributions.

Donor Research & Prospecting

Conduct thorough research to identify potential donors, assess their giving capacity, and align them with RTA’s priorities.
Create comprehensive donor profiles, including key insights and recommendations, to equip RTA leadership and the board for strategic engagement.
Utilize wealth screening tools and prospecting resources (e.g., iWave, DonorSearch) to enhance targeting and segmentation of the donor pool.
Maintain an up-to-date, organized donor database within RTA's CRM system, ensuring accuracy and accessibility of donor information.

Donor Pool Management

Oversee the segmentation and management of the donor database to optimize engagement strategies, ensuring targeted outreach and personalized donor communications.
Analyze donor retention rates, giving trends, and donor behaviors to inform strategic decisions and improve overall fundraising outcomes.
Implement moves management systems to track donor engagement and follow up on key milestones, ensuring effective stewardship across all donor tiers.
Partner with RTA’s board members and staff to leverage their personal networks for donor cultivation and to build new relationships.

Special Events Management

Plan, execute, and manage RTA’s signature fundraising events, including annual galas, donor receptions, benefit dinners, and cultivation events.
Oversee event logistics, including timelines, budgets, vendor management, and coordination with internal teams to create seamless experiences for donors and attendees.
Lead sponsorship outreach efforts, securing corporate and individual sponsors for events and ensuring fulfillment of sponsor benefits.
Collaborate with RTA's communications team to create impactful event experiences that highlight the transformative work of the organization and engage supporters.
Ensure accurate follow-up after each event, including donor acknowledgment, data tracking, and post-event communications.

Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit development, particularly in individual giving, donor stewardship, and event coordination.
Proven success in cultivating relationships with mid-level donors, managing donor portfolios, and executing fundraising campaigns.
Solid experience in planning and executing both small and large-scale events.
Proficiency in donor management systems (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, Bloomerang) and research tools (e.g., iWave, DonorSearch) to optimize fundraising strategies.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages and connect with diverse audiences.
Strong organizational skills, with an ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail.
A genuine passion for RTA’s mission and the power of the arts as a tool for rehabilitation and transformation.

Preferred Skills

Experience in securing event sponsorships and managing donor recognition programs.
Familiarity with digital fundraising platforms, email marketing, and online campaign management.
Strong problem-solving abilities, with a creative approach to overcoming challenges and improving fundraising efforts.
Experience working closely with or engaging board members in fundraising and donor cultivation activities.

Work Environment

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support events and activities.
Flexible or hybrid work arrangements are available to support work-life balance.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$65,000-$70,000

How to Apply for this Job

To apply, please email eh-den.perlove@rta-arts.org with the subject “Development Manager- YOUR NAME” including your résumé, cover letter, and two donor-centered writing samples as one PDF.

About the Organization

RTA helps people in prison develop critical life skills through the arts, modeling an approach to the justice system based on human dignity rather than punishment. RTA is a fast-paced organization led by a passionate staff who value teamwork and a service leadership philosophy.

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