Development Manager

Reports To: Associate Director of Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Hybrid, Purchase, NY

Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

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.

Key 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.

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.