Development Director

Key Details:

Position: Director, Development

Organization: Ashland Independent Film Festival (non-profit)

Location: Ashland, OR

Compensation Range: $40,000

Duration: Supervisor: Managing Director

Part-time, Contract thru end of fiscal year (June 30, 2026)

Overview:

The ideal Director of Development candidate is a creative thinker that understands current philanthropic strategies, and tactics. They are interested in the arts, the creative workforce, community-building, and have a love for Ashland and the art communities in the region. Their work is mission-driven and embraces innovation, future-thinking, and sustainability. They embrace and feel comfortable working as part of a small but mighty team and have a growth mindset. They are eager to be AIFF’s champion in all areas relating to the financial health and well-being of the organization. They share values of equity, interdependence, creativity, and movement-building.

They are capable and ready to: Jump into serving the AIFF team, think strategically, and are comfortable with both overseeing and doing the work to ensure success for themselves, AIFF and the arts and culture sector.

Primary Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Development

• Create and implement a comprehensive development plan aligned with AIFF’s mission and strategic goals.
• Plan and execute fundraising activities focused on corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations, donors, and membership and fundraising campaigns.
• Cultivate and steward donors and sponsors through identification, introduction, cultivation, solicitation, and retention.
• Develop compelling narratives, proposals, and case statements that communicate AIFF’s mission, impact, and funding needs.
• Partner with the Managing Director, Director of Programming, and Board committees to advance fundraising strategies and ensure cross-department alignment.
• Support fundraising events and donor cultivation opportunities in collaboration with staff and leadership.

Corporate & In-Kind Sponsorships

• Serve as sponsor concierge—manage relationships, fulfill sponsorship benefits, and provide on-site support before and during the festival.
• Assist in establishing, securing, and coordinating in-kind contributions such as hospitality suite amenities and housing, both leading up to and during the festival.
• Ensure all sponsor deliverables, including promotional benefits, are accurately tracked and fulfilled.
• Maintain detailed records of in-kind contributions and ensure timely acknowledgments and thank-you communications.

Membership & Campaigns

• Collaborate with staff to integrate, monitor, and report on membership strategies within overall revenue goals.
• Coordinate staffing and logistics for membership-related events and activities.
• Secure Managing Director approval prior to launching any campaigns, events, or public-facing fundraising materials.

Donor Relations & Communications

• When cultivating relationships with large individual donors, include the Managing Director and/or Director of Programming at initial meetings where appropriate.
• Partner with the Marketing and Programming committees to ensure fundraising communications align with AIFF’s brand and messaging.
• Ensure all public-facing materials—including copy, imagery, and campaign content—are reviewed and approved by the Managing Director prior to release.
• Maintain donor database accuracy and analyze trends to inform fundraising strategy.
• Ensure prompt acknowledgment of gifts and inclusion in annual materials.

Finance & Reporting

• Provide regular fundraising and revenue reports to the Managing Director and Board.
• Work with the Finance Committee, Board Treasurer, Managing Director, and bookkeeper to ensure proper gift processing and financial reporting.
• Coordinate with the contracted grant specialist to monitor awarded and pending grants and include them in overall fundraising reports.

Ethics & Compliance

• Adhere to AIFF’s conflict of interest and donor engagement policies.
• Do not engage in or support fundraising for personal, external, or partner projects using AIFF’s relationships, resources, platforms, donors, filmmakers, producers, or alumni.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or arts; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• 3 years of direct or related experience in development or organizational fundraising with a track record of success in major private, corporate, and foundational gifts and events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for creating compelling content and donor proposals.
• Intercultural competency with the ability to engage respectfully with diverse audiences.
• Strong leadership and management skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with colleagues and partners.
• Familiarity with fundraising software, donor databases, and digital fundraising platforms.
• The ability to attract and develop significant relationships, ranging from high-net-worth individuals and corporate executives to more modest donors.
• Strong analytical skills with the demonstrated ability to interpret donor data, identify trends, and make strategic recommendations based on fundraising metrics.
• Passion for creating and implementing comprehensive fundraising and communications strategies with proven follow-through skills.
• Enthusiasm for independent filmmaking, the arts community, and cultural endeavors.

Additional Duties:

This is a part-time position. This work is largely performed in a traditional office environment, in the AIFF Ashland office. Remote work is acceptable, with an expectation that some prospective donor meetings may occur in off-site professional environments. As an events driven organization, the AIFF work schedule varies depending upon the activities of the season and day. Weekend and evening events will occur, and the Director of Development may be expected to attend. This work expects a slight increase in activity around the annual film festival. The candidate may use office equipment, keyboards, and phones and may involve lifting/carrying of packages and walking short distances. They must have reliable transportation to get to work and sign the AIFF transportation agreement to use their vehicle for events or other obligations. This document is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties and responsibilities that are required for the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice at the discretion of AIFF executive leadership.

Please note: This position is designed as a part-time, contract through June 2026. We are hopeful that this role will continue beyond the initial term; however, we cannot guarantee ongoing employment after June 30, 2026.

This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received.

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Work Location: In person

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Pay: $40,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 20 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40,000