At Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), the Advancement & Engagement Department is responsible for the revenue-generating and community-facing functions of the organization. The Director of Development & Advancement leads GRB’s fundraising efforts, building and sustaining relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners that support the company’s operating and capital priorities. Reporting to the Senior Director, Advancement & Engagement, the Director of Development & Advancement serves as a key member of GRB’s leadership team and is responsible for building and sustaining philanthropic support, with a primary focus on individual giving, major gifts, annual appeals, and donor stewardship. The role requires a relationship-driven, detail-oriented, and entrepreneurial fundraising professional who brings both strategic vision and hands-on capability to a dynamic performing arts environment.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for GRB’s operating and capital goals, with a specific focus on growing individual giving, including major gifts, annual appeals, and donor stewardship.
• Work directly with the Senior Director, CEO, Artistic Director, and the Board of Directors to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward gifts to support GRB, while maintaining a consistent, on-brand tone in communications to donors and patrons.
• Manage GRB’s donor database and gift records, ensuring accurate and timely data entry, acknowledgment, and reporting.
• Develop the organization’s development and advancement budget and provide regular fundraising and financial reporting to the CEO and Board.
• Serve as the staff liaison with the Board’s Development & Advancement Committee, recruiting members, creating meeting calendars and agendas, and providing support and direction to achieve established fundraising goals.
• Represent GRB externally with civic, philanthropic, and business communities to build and expand the organization’s base of donors and supporters.
• Supervise development staff and/or volunteers, as applicable, and foster a collaborative, mission-aligned team culture.
• Contribute to organizational strategy and planning as a member of GRB’s Advancement & Engagement team.
Qualifications
• A passionate commitment to the Ballet’s mission, vision, and values as well as the role of arts organizations in general.
• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of professional fundraising and development experience, including experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
• Proven success building and managing donor relationships and development strategies, including major gifts and annual giving programs.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors and/or a Development Committee (preferred).
• Strong financial management skills with experience in budget analysis, forecasting, and planning.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) platform(s).
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Position Requirements
• Full-time, plus evenings and weekends as necessary to attend Ballet performances and events.
• Occasional travel
• Valid driver's license
$60,000 - $70,000 per year