The Development Director is responsible for executing all aspects of Fund Development for SCMC. This work encompasses managing and implementing a $725,000 annual fundraising campaign that includes funding from corporate sponsors, private foundations, government agencies and individual donors. Areas of responsibility include:
Annual Fund
Creating a strategy for a large sustained base of annual individual donors (900+ households) through creative and research-based solicitation campaigns.
Managing the execution of all aspects of the strategy—campaign theme, written copy and design for all communication materials (print and digital), list segmentation and response tracking, etc.
Donor Relations
Building and cultivating relationships with SCMC’s donor base while utilizing a moves management system. This includes maintaining ongoing relationships with major donors and developing relationships with new, lower-level donors.
Managing all aspects of donor stewardship, including the implementation of donor benefits, thank you events, reporting (in-person, donor newsletters, etc.) and all other activities that bring individuals closer to the heart of the organization.
Corporate Sponsorship
Soliciting and stewarding corporate sponsorships for the Presenting Series, School of Music, and Building Preservation. This includes the creation of all print materials, scheduling in-person meetings, preparing customized packages for each corporate entity and following through on promised benefits.
Grants
Writing grant proposals to family foundations and government agencies.
Preparing funding reports for these entities, as requested.
Events
Coordinating all fundraising activity surrounding the annual Helen DeVos Legacy Award Gala.
Overseeing all aspects of the silent auction in conjunction with the annual winetasting event.
Coordinating the annual Maestro Society donor dinner.
Communications
Managing the production of the season program book, including ad procurement and placement, donor listings, and all concert-related copy provided by the Executive Director.
Overseeing the design process for miscellaneous printed materials as needed for various campaigns and projects.
Operations
Overseeing the daily operations of the development department, including database management, gift processing and acknowledgement, and invoicing.
Collaborating with the Executive Director and Finance Director to create annual Development budget.
Maintaining up-to-date information on SCMC’s Development and Special Events webpages.
Staying current on best practices within the field to ensure that SCMC’s development strategies and operations are engaging, efficient, and ethical.
Endowment
Soliciting planned gifts for SCMC’s Endowment Fund. This includes personalized asks and broad-based bequest marketing strategies.
Primary Relationships:
Reports to the Executive Director.
Manages and works collaboratively with the Development Administrator.
Maintains working relationships with all other staff members as pertains to the various departments of School of Music, Event and Facility, Box Office and Finance.
Works with Board Members to reach budgeted goals through cultivation and stewardship.
Required Qualifications:
3+ years experience in nonprofit fundraising, preferably in a leadership role.
Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in using and maintaining a CRM – experience in Patron Manager a plus.
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Commitment to working in cross-functional teams, as well as independently.
Ability to maintain a high level of organization, managing multiple projects at a time.
Proficient in the Microsoft and Adobe suites.
Willingness to work approximately 20 nights each season, including some weekend evenings.
Preferred Qualifications:
Degree in nonprofit or arts management.
Appreciation for music and the cultural life of the community.
St. Cecilia Music Center, the oldest performing arts organization in West Michigan, is a premier presenting organization bringing world-renowned musicians to the intimate and acoustically superb 630-seat Royce Auditorium in Grand Rapids. SCMC’s presenting series include the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Series, the Jazz Series and the Acoustic Café Folk Series.
In addition to bringing world-class artists to Grand Rapids, SCMC is committed to music education through our School of Music. After-school youth orchestras, adult band and orchestras and outreach programs into the schools is at the heart of this work.
SCMC owns its historic building at 24 Ransom Avenue, making the preservation of the facility part of our mission. The building is available for rental.
If you would like to join a passionate and dedicated team of arts professionals to fulfill SCMC’s mission of promoting the appreciation, study and performance of music in order to enrich the lives of the residents of West Michigan, please send a cover email and resume to Executive Director, Cathy Holbrook at cathy@scmcgr.org by March 8, 2023.
St. Cecilia Music Center 24 Ransom Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 616.459.2224
