Director of Development

Louisville Ballet; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

KANEKO is seeking a Director of Development to build and lead its fundraising function, focusing on major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and annual giving. You will partner with leadership on priorities, and shape strategy and reporting to fuel KANEKO's ambitions.

Responsibilities include designing strategy, cultivating donors, overseeing grants, and coordinating communications with the marketing team. This exempt, full-time role offers comprehensive benefits and a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 3–5 years nonprofit development experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gifts.
• Grant writing and reporting experience.
• Ability to work with and motivate staff, board members, and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead overall fundraising strategy including annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and events.
• Research and cultivate relationships with prospective donors and supporters.
• Partner with leadership on development priorities, external representation, and reporting.
• Align fundraising strategy with organizational priorities as they evolve.
• Develop diversified revenue strategies including membership and earned income alongside philanthropy.
• Oversee grant seeking, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain annual fund programs and donor communications.
• Manage donor recognition programs and events.
• Oversee fundraising databases and donor tracking systems.
• Collaborate with marketing on fundraising publications and communications.
• Report on program impact, reach, and funds raised.

Skills

Fundraising

Grant writing

Donor relations

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Director of Development

KANEKO is built for people who can't stop asking how ideas become real, curious minds who see creativity everywhere and want to help it thrive. The Director of Development leads the strategy that makes that possible: major gifts, corporate partnerships, grant funding, and in‑kind support, all working together to fuel what KANEKO does next. This is a chance to build that function from where it stands today and shape it as KANEKO's ambitions grow.

Reports to

Works in direct partnership with organizational leadership on strategy, budget, and board engagement.

Status

Full‑Time, Exempt

Compensation

$90,000–$100,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

KANEKO invests in the wellbeing of the people who carry out its mission, offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, life, and disability insurance, with KANEKO covering the majority of premium costs. Employees also have access to a retirement plan and a generous paid time off policy.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Design and lead KANEKO's overall fundraising strategy, including annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events.

• Research and cultivate relationships with prospective donors and supporters on a continual basis.

• Partner with organizational leadership on development priorities, external representation, and reporting.

• Align fundraising strategy with KANEKO's strategic priorities as they evolve.

• Partner with organizational leadership on diversified revenue strategy, including membership, facility rental, and other earned income, alongside philanthropic giving.

Grants and Institutional Giving

• Oversee grant seeking, including prospect research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.

Annual Fund and Membership

• Maintain annual fund programs, including mailings and annual fundraising drives.

• Create and maintain membership benefits corresponding to different giving levels.

• Track and steward memberships, including planning and implementing member events.

Events and Donor Recognition

• Facilitate KANEKO's annual fundraising event, from planning through post‑event stewardship.

• Maintain gift recognition programs.

Operations and Systems

• Oversee the fundraising database and donor tracking systems.

• Supervise and collaborate with other fundraising partners [note direct reports, if any, once scope is confirmed].

Communications and Reporting

• Partner with the marketing team on the creation, copyediting, and consistency of publications and communications supporting fundraising activities.

• Compile and report on program impact, audience reach, funds raised, and other development metrics.

First‑Year Priorities

• Establish a documented major‑donor portfolio with clear cultivation stages.

• Meet an annual fundraising goal set jointly with organizational leadership and the Board.

• Build consistent donor communication and stewardship practices.

Qualifications — Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

• 3–5 years of nonprofit development experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gift cultivation and solicitation.

• Grant writing and reporting experience.

• Ability to work with and motivate staff, board members, and volunteers.

Qualifications — Preferred

• Experience in an arts, culture, or similarly mission‑driven organization.

• Experience with donor database or CRM systems.

• Experience with membership programs and donor cultivation events.

Work Environment

• Some evening and weekend work required for donor events, board meetings, and cultivation visits.

• Local travel within the Omaha area for donor and client visits, as needed.

How to Apply

• To apply, email a resume and a letter of interest to [e-mail].

• In your cover letter, please address: (1) a specific fundraising result you're proud of and your role in achieving it, and (2) this role offers real ownership in shaping KANEKO's development program as it grows, so tell us about a time you built or significantly grew a program, campaign, or function, and what you learned from it.

• Please use the subject line "Director of Development Application, [Your Name]".

• Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer

• KANEKO is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity of all kinds and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this opportunity. It is our policy to ensure that all individuals applying for jobs are considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, and that all are given every opportunity to succeed.