Philanthropy Manager

Australian Festival of Chamber Music; Cairns Regional; Hybrid; AUD 42,000 - 66,000; Part time

Job summary

Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Cairns, Queensland invites applications for a part-time Philanthropy Manager to grow philanthropic income. You will cultivate major donors, manage annual giving, prepare proposals, donor reports, and coordinate donor events around the festival period, aligning fundraising with artistic goals.

Hybrid role requiring collaboration with leadership, artistic, and marketing teams, and a passion for arts fundraising.

Qualifications

• Experience in philanthropy and charitable fundraising.
• Proven ability to cultivate, manage, and steward relationships with major donors.
• Experience with annual giving, donor retention, and funding campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication, with ability to engage diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors.
• Oversee annual giving programs and donor retention.
• Prepare fundraising proposals, donor reports and impact communications.
• Coordinate donor events, briefings and recognition activities around the festival period.
• Collaborate with leadership, artistic and marketing teams to align fundraising with the festival's vision.

Skills

Philanthropy

Donor relations

Annual giving

Fundraising campaigns

CRM systems

Budgeting & reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Arts & culture

Education

Fundraising qualifications

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Company Description The Australian Festival of Chamber Music is a nationally and internationally recognised event known for its outstanding artists and innovative programming. Held annually in late July in Cairns-Gimuy, North Queensland, it attracts audiences from across Australia and overseas to a unique tropical winter setting. Across nine days, leading international and Australian musicians present over 35 concerts designed for both first-time listeners and seasoned chamber music enthusiasts. The festival combines rich cultural experiences with the region’s natural beauty, including beachside events and signature programs such as Concert Conversations, the Ray Golding Sunset Series, and the Governor’s Gala. This welcoming atmosphere encourages artists and audiences to return year after year, reinforcing the festival’s reputation as a benchmark cultural event that truly “sounds like paradise.”

Role Description The Philanthropy Manager is a part-time role responsible for developing and managing strategies to grow philanthropic income for the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Day-to-day responsibilities include cultivating and stewarding relationships with major donors, overseeing annual giving programs, and engaging with charitable foundations and partners. The role involves preparing fundraising proposals, donor reports, and impact communications, as well as coordinating donor events, briefings, and recognition activities around the festival period. The Philanthropy Manager will also work closely with leadership, artistic, and marketing teams to align fundraising initiatives with the festival’s artistic vision and community engagement goals.

Qualifications

• Experience in philanthropy and charitable fundraising, including work with charities and cultural or not-for-profit organisations.
• Proven ability to cultivate, manage, and steward relationships with major donors and high-value supporters.
• Track record in annual giving programs, donor retention, and broad-based fundraising campaigns.
• Strong communication skills, including persuasive writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills for engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor databases or CRM systems, and basic budgeting and financial reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team, manage competing priorities, and operate effectively in a hybrid work environment.
• Experience or strong interest in the arts, cultural events, or festivals is highly desirable.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in fundraising, communications, arts management, business, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).