Major Gifts Officer

The Dallas Opera; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 96,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the performing arts seeks a Major Gifts Officer to support its annual fund growth. This role involves cultivating relationships with donors, developing strategies for fundraising events, and managing a personal donor portfolio. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fundraising, excellent interpersonal skills, and a passion for the arts. Join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing community engagement and ensuring the sustainability of artistic excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the arts community while working in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of frontline fundraising experience with proven results.
• Strong presentation and storytelling skills required.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and solicit new and existing donors for annual fund gifts.
• Develop and lead major gifts strategy during the season.
• Manage personal donor portfolio and provide updates to the database.

Skills

Fundraising

Interpersonal Skills

Presentation Skills

Project Management

Creativity

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Tessitura

Job description

The Dallas Opera is a world-class performing arts organization producing outstanding mainstage and chamber opera repertoire, attracting national and international notice, committed to extensive community outreach and education, and managed to the highest standards of artistic excellence, accountability, efficiency and financial sustainability.

Between 2021-2024, TDO executed a successful $25M+ campaign to raise new gifts and increase annual giving. When the campaign ended in June 2024, TDO’s annual fund reached $8M and is poised for growth. The Major Gifts Officer plays an instrumental role supporting further growth of TDO’s annual fund.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer supports the success of the $14M annual fund, raising gifts of $25,000 - $100,000+ from individuals, private foundations and corporations.

The Major Gifts Officer is expected to fundraise from a portfolio of existing donors and new business leads generated by staff and volunteers. Specific duties include:

• Cultivate, solicit and steward new and existing donors for annual fund gifts
• Develop and lead major gifts strategy during TDO’s season, harnessing donor events and other sponsorship opportunities to drive revenue results.
• Friends, Inner Circle, Crescendo and Orpheus Legacy Society Member Events - Salons, Insights, Backstage tours, Dress Rehearsals, Cast Parties, production sponsor and cast receptions, and performance day Inner Circle Lounge and Crescendo mixers; special OLS dinners and receptions (season), and others
• Signature Events – Opening Night (fall) and OnStage Dinner (spring)
• Artistic Development Related Events – Vocal Competition Judges Luncheon and post-concert reception (spring); Women Conductors panel discussion and luncheon (fall and winter); post-Showcase Concert reception (winter); Titus Recital post-concert reception and dinner (winter)
• Production and Event Sponsorships
• OpportunisticEvents – specific recent examples include planning an onstage experience and catered dinner for a major donor, Pride pre-opera community reception
• Work with the board Development Committee to develop leads and pursue introductions to start donor conversations
• Manage personal donor portfolio – moves management, goals and closing gifts and new memberships as applicable
• Provide updates to database concerning financial forecast, donor interactions and research notes
• Work nights and weekends during performance season and for other TDO events
• Seek to diversify TDO’s donor base and intentionally work to ensure fundraising efforts progress The Dallas Opera’s commitment to equity and belonging
• Other duties as requested

Candidate Skills, Knowledge, and Characteristics

• Minimum three years of frontline fundraising, including major gifts, capital and endowment campaigns and planned giving, with a proven record of producing results
• Motivated by achieving fundraising success
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and professionally with a wide range of people, both inside and outside the organization
• Strong presentation, persuasion and storytelling skills, both verbal and written
• Aptitude for prioritizing, attention to detail, and managing time in a fast-paced environment which often presents competing priorities
• Strong project management and organizational skills; accepts responsibility for quality, accuracy, and timeliness of assignments
• Demonstrated organizational skills with attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines
• Possess creativity, an innovative spirit, initiative, and problem-solving skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite; familiarity with Tessitura preferred
• Flexibility and ability to work nights and weekends during the season as needed
• Knowledge of opera, music and/or performing arts is preferred

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Performing Arts

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