Membership and Development Manager

CENTER FOR THE ARTS BONITA SPRINGS DBA Arts Bonita; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Bonus based on performance

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Opportunity for advancement

Vision insurance

Job summary

Arts Bonita is seeking a dynamic Membership & Development Manager to expand philanthropic support, membership, sponsorships, and partnerships across Southwest Florida. You will serve as a key ambassador for the organization, cultivating donors and building community relationships.

Reporting to the President & CEO, this full-time, exempt role leads advancement initiatives, oversees major gifts and events, and drives strategies that increase visibility and sustainable funding for Arts Bonita.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five+ years in fundraising, nonprofit development, or related fields.
• Proven ability to cultivate donors and secure gifts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual fundraising strategies aligned with Arts Bonita's plan.
• Grow memberships, sponsorships, and donor engagement programs.
• Build partnerships and represent Arts Bonita at events and communities.
• Oversee corporate sponsorships and major gift opportunities.
• Lead signature fundraising events and secure live and silent auction packages.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Communication skills

Project management

CRM experience

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

NEON CRM

Job description

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bonus based on performance
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Opportunity for advancement
• Vision insurance

Reports To: President & CEO (or Designee)

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $50,000 - $70,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience

The Membership & Development Manager is eligible for an annual performance incentive of up to 10% of base salary, based on organizational performance and successful achievement of established SMART goals and KPIs.

About Arts Bonita

Arts Bonita is one of Southwest Florida's fastest-growing arts organizations, serving thousands of children, adults, artists, patrons, and visitors each year through visual arts education, performing arts, youth programming, community outreach, exhibitions, and nationally recognized festivals.

The Membership & Development Manager is responsible for expanding philanthropic support, membership, sponsorships, and community partnerships while increasing Arts Bonita's visibility throughout Southwest Florida. This highly visible position develops relationships that generate financial support and serves as one of the organization's primary ambassadors.

Essential Responsibilities

Advancement & Fundraising

• Develop and execute annual fundraising strategies aligned with Arts Bonita's Strategic Plan.
• Cultivate, solicit, steward, and retain donors at all giving levels.
• Expand annual giving, recurring giving, and donor engagement programs.
• Assist with major gifts, planned giving, and donor stewardship initiatives.
• Identify new funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Maintain accurate donor records, prepare reports, and monitor fundraising performance using the organization's CRM.

Membership

• Grow membership through acquisition, retention, renewals, engagement, and appreciation initiatives.
• Evaluate membership benefits and implement programs that increase loyalty and participation.
• Develop campaigns that expand membership and strengthen long‑term engagement.

Community Engagement

• Build strategic relationships with gated communities, country clubs, private and social clubs, homeowners' associations, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs, businesses, and community leaders.
• Coordinate presentations and outreach that promote Arts Bonita's programs, memberships, sponsorship opportunities, and philanthropic initiatives.
• Develop partnerships that generate members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, students, ticket buyers, and community advocates.
• Represent Arts Bonita at networking events, performances, festivals, business functions, and community gatherings.

Corporate Sponsorships

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate sponsors.
• Develop customized sponsorship opportunities and recognition programs that create long‑term partnerships.

Signature Fundraising Events

• Provide fundraising leadership for Off The Walls and the Scholarship Classic Golf Event by securing high‑quality live and silent auction packages.
• Solicit sponsorships, raffle prizes, and in‑kind donations.
• Cultivate auction donors and community partners.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, committees, sponsors, and staff to maximize fundraising success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of successful experience in fundraising, advancement, nonprofit management, business development, sales, hospitality, or relationship management.
• Demonstrated success cultivating relationships and achieving measurable results.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, organizational, and project‑management skills.
• Experience with CRM software (NEON CRM preferred).
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Characteristics

• Strategic, visionary, and entrepreneurial.
• An exceptional relationship builder and communicator.
• Self‑motivated and self‑starter, collaborative, and results‑oriented.
• Comfortable soliciting philanthropic support.
• Passionate about arts, education, and community impact.
• Equally effective working with donors, corporate executives, volunteers, artists, elected officials, and patrons.