Development Director

Inside Philanthropy; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant- or event-related perks

Job summary

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre (TMBT) is seeking an experienced Development Director to lead its fundraising program and advance its mission through philanthropic support. The role collaborates with the Executive Director, staff, and the Board to shape strategy and build a sustainable financial foundation for growth.

You will cultivate relationships, solicit major gifts, and manage a donor pipeline across individual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, and events, including the annual

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 5–7 years nonprofit fundraising with success in individual giving, major gifts, grants, or sponsorships.
• Experience developing fundraising strategies and annual development plans.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and institutional funders.
• Experience with donor CRM systems and data-driven fundraising.
• Ability to build authentic relationships with donors, artists, Board, and partners.
• Comfort making direct fundraising asks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan with measurable goals.
• Grow and diversify contributed revenue through multiple channels.
• Manage donor pipeline from prospecting to stewardship.
• Build relationships with current and prospective donors.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board on major gifts.
• Increase donor retention and upgrade existing donors.
• Oversee donor acknowledgment and CRM reporting.
• Lead foundation, corporate, and government grants program.
• Develop compelling narratives for proposals and reports.
• Coordinate grants calendar and timely submissions.
• Identify new institutional funding opportunities.
• Plan and oversee cultivation and fundraising events.
• Lead fundraising strategy for the annual Terminus Féte.
• Equip board with tools for donor identification and solicitation.

Skills

Individual giving

Major gifts

Corporate sponsorships

Foundation & government grants

Fundraising planning

Donor stewardship

Board collaboration

CRM data usage

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Overview

Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre (TMBT) seeks an experienced, strategic, and relationship-driven Development Director to lead the organization's fundraising efforts and advance its mission through philanthropic support.

This full-time position offers an exciting opportunity to build upon Terminus's strong artistic reputation and growing community presence as the organization celebrates its tenth anniversary and looks toward its next decade of growth. The Development Director will help develop and lead a strategic fundraising program that includes individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, annual campaigns, special events, and fundraising initiatives.

Working with the Executive Director, staff, and the Board of Directors the Development Director will develop and implement fundraising strategies aligned with Terminus's mission, artistic vision, strategic priorities, and long-term financial goals. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who enjoys building relationships, making direct asks, and creating systems that support organizational growth.

The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and serves as a key member of the organization's leadership team.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan with measurable goals and benchmarks.
• Lead strategies to grow and diversify contributed revenue through individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, annual campaigns, and special events.
• Manage a comprehensive donor pipeline from prospect identification and cultivation, through solicitation and stewardship.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board on major gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Develop strategies to increase donor retention, upgrade existing donors, and engage new supporters.
• Oversee donor acknowledgment, recognition, benefit fulfillment, and stewardship activities.
• Maintain accurate donor records and reporting within the organization's CRM.

Grants & Institutional Giving

• Lead the organization's foundation, corporate, and government grants program and working in partnership with the Executive Director to write and submit proposals.
• Develop compelling narratives that communicate Terminus's artistic, educational, and community impact.
• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar and ensure timely submission of proposals, reports, and other grant requirements.
• Coordinate programmatic, financial, and evaluation information needed for proposals and reports.
• Identify and cultivate new institutional funding opportunities aligned with Terminus's mission and programs.

Corporate Partnerships & Events

• Develop and manage a corporate sponsorship program aligned with Terminus's artistic, educational, and community priorities.
• Identify prospective corporate partners and create customized sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
• Plan and oversee cultivation and fundraising events in partnership with the Executive Director, Board, staff, and volunteers.
• Lead fundraising strategy for the annual Terminus Féte, working closely with the Féte Committee to establish revenue goals, sponsorship strategies, and stewardship plans.

Board Engagement & Development Operations

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen a culture of philanthropy and shared responsibility for fundraising.
• Develop and manage a corporate sponsorship program aligned with Terminus's artistic, educational, and community priorities.
• Support the board Development Committee and provide regular fundraising updates, reports, and metrics.
• Equip board members with tools and resources to participate effectively in donor identification, cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation.
• Maintain accurate and confidential donor and prospect records within the organization’s CRM.
• Establish effective systems for prospect tracking, moves management, gift acknowledgement, reporting, and stewardship.
• Maintain the annual development calendar and coordinate fundraising activities across the organization.

Strategic Development

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen a culture of philanthropy and shared responsibility for fundraising.
• Develop long-range fundraising strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to strengthen board engagement in fundraising.
• Prepare reports and fundraising metrics for Board and Development Committee meetings.
• Monitor fundraising performance and recommend strategic adjustments.
• Identify opportunities to diversify contributed revenue through individual giving, sponsorships, foundations, government support, and special campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in individual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, or a combination of these areas.
• Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies and annual development plans.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and institutional funders.
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and developing donor pipeline or moves-management strategies.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and volunteers to support fundraising and donor engagement.
• Experience with donor CRM systems and using data to inform fundraising strategy.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to build authentic relationships with donors, community members, artists, Board members, and organizational partners.
• Comfort representing an organization and making direct fundraising asks.
• Professionalism, discretion, integrity, and attention to detail when working with confidential donor information.
• Passion for dance, the performing arts, arts education, and Terminus's mission.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners.
• Passion for the performing arts and arts education.
• Knowledge of or connection to the Atlanta philanthropic and arts community is strongly preferred.