Development Director

Experience Theatre Project (ETP) is a growing 501c3 nonprofit immersive theater company based in beautiful Beaverton, Oregon, with a mission to produce beautiful, professional live theater performance and enhance artistic creativity within our community. Our company is currently working to create a community-based theatre collective in Washington County to provide a library and work space where artists may work, build, congregate, and present their own brand of visual and performing arts.

As Director of Development, you will own the fundraising strategy for our growing organization, including budget management and grant writing, and work closely with our Managing Director to develop a plan to fund the lease or purchase of a space that can be used as an arts hub. The Director will maintain and build a portfolio of top foundation and corporate prospects that are critical to the ETP’s mission and fundraising goals. You will also conduct funding research to determine new opportunities for ETP, and identify sources of philanthropic donations and corporate sponsorships.

You should be a great storyteller and be able to champion ETP’s mission. This role will require a succinct and clear communication of ETP’s narrative impact strategy tactics, which blends the desire to create immersive theatre (our mission) with affording a space lifting the boats of other individual artists and artistic groups who need a space in which to work.

The ideal candidate will have: (i) expertise in nonprofit financial management, basically a good understanding of the financial needs of nonprofit theatre development; (ii) strong grant writing and communication skills; (iii) strong networking skills; (iv) knowledge of and experience with local and national arts funders; and (v) interest in meeting artists and inviting them to work in the new space we wish to create.

Role and responsibilities:

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising plans to meet revenue goals
• Research grant and resource opportunities to include foundations, businesses, and governmental agencies
• Initiate, develop and maintain a prospect pool of foundation prospects, create written strategies for each prospect, and implement the strategies
• Develop and support mechanisms for regular contact with funders and prospects
• Work with the Managing Director and graphics designers with the creation of funder-facing materials
• Present persuasive proposals for new corporate and foundation support
• Visit with donor and sponsor prospects and keep accurate data and contact records
• Identify prospective corporate sponsors and foundations and develop strategies for soliciting donations, corporate grants & sponsorships.
• Work with the Managing Director and graphics designers with the creation of funder-facing materials
• Present persuasive proposals for new corporate and foundation support
• Visit with donor and sponsor prospects and keep accurate data and contact records
• Identify prospective corporate sponsors and foundations and develop strategies for soliciting donations, corporate grants & sponsorships.
• Work with the Managing Director to effectively frame and write on fundable projects/narratives.
• Assist with establishing overall grant funding priorities, as well as short- and long-term grant funding plans and pathways for funding
• Prepare new grant submissions, analyze developments in specific grant areas, and review previously submitted grants to determine need for revisions or changes in scope, format, and content for future submissions in previously published materials
• Assist with the financial planning in collaboration with the Managing Director and Board
• Maintain a master database for tracking and monitoring grant applications, pending grants, and grants received
• Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgment of all gifts and tax receipts
• Collaborate with the Managing Director and Board of Directors to plan and implement special events

Requirements:

• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or higher at an accredited college or university; Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, economics, or a related field preferred;
• Minimum of 3 years of experience and proven track record in grant writing, technical writing, prospect research or proposal development or a minimum of 3 years comparable and transferable skills acquired in a professional setting;
• Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices and strategies;
• Proven experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on individual giving, corporate sponsorships, and grant writing
• Ability to work independently to solve problems;
• Knowledge of (or willingness to educate oneself on) theatre arts and the arts climate in the broader State of Oregon;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking abilities
• Ability to build strong relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners
• Ability to work independently to manage one’s time and meet deadlines; and
• Commitment to working collaboratively with a small team of motivated individuals.

Preferred Skills:

• Knowledge of public relations strategies for nonprofit organizations
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment
• A sense of excitement for the arts and the great potential for what ETP is committed to creating in Washington County

This role will begin with a trial 3-month-long contract, followed by a Part-Time position contract. With funding success, there will then be opportunity to shift into a Full-Time position.

Start Date: June 3, 2024

Time Commitment: 20 hours/week

Salary: $2,800/month ($32.31/hour)

Location: Virtual with occasional travel to potential sponsor or funder locations and fundraising parties

Hours: Flexible hours M-F, with occasional weekend work as necessary due to deadlines or appointments

Benefits: Paid time off (PTO) eligible after six months. All federal holidays off. Additional benefits will become available as the position grows into a full time, including medical, dental, and 401(k) eligibility.

Pay: $28.00 - $32.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a source of reliable local transportation in the Portland area if a personal appearance is requested to acquire funding for a sponsorship, grant, or fundraiser?

Experience:

• Fundraising: 3 years (Required)
• Grant writing: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Beaverton, OR 97003

Salary : $28 - $32