Fund Development Specialist

MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Fund Development Specialist to support our fundraising efforts, working closely with the Executive Director to secure grants and build strong relationships with individual donors.

MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana is an inclusive contemporary arts space grounded in the Chicano/Latino experience that incubates new visual, literary, and performance art in order to engage people in civic dialogue and community transformation.

Position Summary

MACLA seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Fund Development Specialist to support our fundraising efforts, working closely with the Executive Director to secure grants and build strong relationships with individual donors. This role will be instrumental in ensuring the sustainability and growth of MACLA’s mission by managing grant applications and reports, cultivating donor relationships, and supporting fundraising strategies, including our signature annual event, Latinx Art Now!. The DeVos Institute of Arts & Nonprofit Management’s The Cycle informs our organizational fund development strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Work closely with the Executive Director to implement the organization’s overall fundraising strategy and annual development plan.

Grant Management

• Manage a portfolio of 15–20 institutional funders with 25–30 active grants annually.

• Research, identify, and track new grant opportunities aligned with MACLA’s mission and programs.

• Steward the internal grant process from pre-award preparation through implementation and reporting.

• Write, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals and reports on a deadline.

• Maintain the grants calendar to ensure timely submission of applications, renewals, and reports.

• Collect and synthesize program data, impact stories, and evaluation metrics for funder communications.

• Work with program and finance staff to project manage the application process, including budget development and compliance. Individual Donor Engagement & Prospect Research

• Conduct prospect research to identify, qualify, and prioritize potential donors to expand the donor base.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors across all giving levels.

• Provide support for the Executive Director and Board fundraising, including meeting preparation, donor briefings, and follow-up.

• Support annual appeals and campaigns, aiming for year-over-year donor retention and growth.

• Draft donor communications such as thank-you letters, campaign updates, and annual appeal materials.

• Over time, develop personalized strategies to engage and retain donors, including tailored communications and recognition efforts.

• Track donor activity using MACLA’s Salesforce CRM, provide accurate reports for analysis, including monthly reconciliations with accounting.

• Staff MACLA programs and external events with an emphasis on donor engagement. Fundraising Events – Latinx Art Now!

• Play a supporting role in implementing Latinx Art Now!, MACLA’s annual fundraising event.

• Assist with event logistics, including invitations, guest tracking, and post-event follow-up.

• Support sponsorship solicitation, helping to increase participation each year.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, or related field.

• 3 years of experience in fundraising, grant writing, or donor relations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.

• Strong organizational and project management skills; ability to manage multiple deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with Salesforce or CRM systems.

• A passion for the arts and MACLA’s mission, with a commitment to equity and cultural diversity.

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

• Valid CA Driver’s License, access to a vehicle, auto insurance, and DMV clearance.

• Pass a Department of Justice/FBI LiveScan fingerprint and general financial background check.

• Ability to lift 30lbs. at a minimum.

• MACLA is committed to employee health and safety and follows Santa Clara County’s COVID-19 vaccination guidelines.

The Fund Development Specialist reports to the Executive Director. The current Fund Development team comprises the Executive Director and the Associate Director for financial reporting. This position will work collaboratively with all staff members.

Compensation: This position is full-time and exempt. This position requires some evenings and weekends. The annual salary for the Fund Development Specialist is $75,000 - $90,000, depending on experience. This position is expected to work onsite in our office in downtown San Jose, CA, during regular office hours, from 9 am – 5:30 pm. MACLA offers a competitive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid medical (Kaiser Permanente) and dental plans (Blue Shield). Eligible dependents are considered at 50% of the cost. MACLA offers a 401(K) match (currently at 6%), 2 weeks of accrued vacation per year, and sick time, along with professional development and wellness resources. Eighteen paid holidays are made available each year: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and 12/26 - 12/30. Through Kaiser, employees can access chiropractic, acupuncture, and herbal benefits, as well as free access to the Calm App. Through a partnership with Paychex, employees have free access to FinFit, a financial wellness program.

To apply, please send a cover letter specifically stating how your experience and skills relate to the position, along with your resume, and three professional references to HR@maclaarte.org with "Fund Development Specialist" in the subject line.

MACLA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and creating a work environment where individuals are valued and respected. MACLA welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and seeks to hire qualified staff who reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We define diversity in broad terms to include race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and socio-economic status. For more information, please visit https://maclaarte.org