Development SpecialistPosition Description

Position: Development Specialist

Reports To: Executive Director

Classification: Part-time, hourly, 20 hours per week

Salary: Negotiable

Tidewater Arts Outreach (TAO) was founded in 2003 to enhance wellness for people with special needs and circumstances through the healing power of the arts. Through training, advocacy and outreach, Tidewater Arts Outreach ensures community artists, caregivers and volunteers have the tools and resources they need to appreciate and create a variety of experiential arts programs for elders and others. Tidewater Arts Outreach and its participating artists have provided more than 2,500 arts-related outreach and education programs, workshops and events since inception. The programs impact thousands of participants, caregivers, family members, artists and volunteers annually. Providing opportunities for creative self-expression has been shown to complement clinical care and to have significant intellectual, psychological, physical and emotional benefits.

As Tidewater Arts Outreach prepares for strategic growth and continued community impact, the agency is seeking an energetic, creative and detail-oriented professional to serve as its Development Specialist. This individual is responsible for helping the organization create a fundraising plan. The plan will detail how the organization will obtain financial support through sources such as individuals, corporations, special events and foundations. The qualified candidate will be responsible for the direct solicitation of 60-80 qualified donors or prospects, at a minimum. The individual shall work with the Executive Director to create engagement or cultivation events. The individual shall lead by example to promote our brand. He/she will have a significant role in shaping Tidewater Arts Outreach’s public relations strategies.

Responsibilities

  1. With the executive director and board of directors, co-create and share implementation of the annual fundraising plan.
  2. Secure financial support from new and existing individuals and businesses.
  3. Manage the implementation of GiftWorks; oversee data entry and gift processing.
  4. Communicate with the board of directors on efforts related to annual fundraising goals.
  5. Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors.
  6. Help the organization develop cultivation events.
  7. Oversee the organization of fundraising events such as GiveLocal757 and the annual appeal.
  8. Manage agency website page content on funder search sites such as GuideStar.

Qualifications

  • The successful candidate will have a passion for arts and health and formal higher education and/or professional work experience, equivalent to a college degree plus five years of development experience.
  • Proven success in closing major gifts through face-to-face solicitations
  • Interest/ability to help us grow our board of directors
  • Works well in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong follow-up skills
  • Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communications
  • Ability to work independently with little or no supervision
  • Knowledge or willingness to learn GiftWorks; previous experience with other donor software
  • Supervisory experience in leading staff and volunteers
  • May require occasional night/weekend work
  • Reliable transportation is a must/must possess a valid drivers’ license.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter stating salary expectations and a resume to MaryAnn Toboz at no later than August 10, 2017.