Membership & Development Manager

Arts Bonita; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Arts Bonita is seeking a Membership & Development Manager to lead fundraising, donor relations, membership growth, and sponsor partnerships in Southwest Florida. The role focuses on expanding philanthropic support, developing annual strategies, and serving as an ambassador for the organization.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, 5+ years in fundraising or nonprofit management, and strong relationship-building skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of 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.

Responsibilities

• Expand philanthropic support, membership, sponsorships, and community partnerships while increasing Arts Bonita's visibility throughout Southwest Florida.
• Develop and execute annual fundraising strategies aligned with Arts Bonita's Strategic Plan.
• Cultivate, solicit, steward, and retain donors at all giving levels.
• Maintain donor records, prepare reports, and monitor fundraising performance using the organization's CRM.
• Coordinate signature fundraising events such as Off The Walls and the Scholarship Classic Golf Event.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Communication

Project management

Event planning

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

NEON CRM

Job description

Careers at Arts Bonita

Employment

Looking to start 2026 with meaningful professional growth? Arts Bonita invites you to consider joining an organization that is shaping the future of arts and culture in Southwest Florida.

Arts Bonita is a leading cultural organization and community-centered nonprofit that has achieved 25% year-over-year growth and is advancing ambitious plans to significantly expand its regional impact. The organization is broadening its artistic programming, increasing its regional and national visibility, and moving forward with major expansion projects across both the Visual Arts Campus and the Performing Arts Campus. With a nationally recognized art school, professional theater and concert series, and robust youth and adult education programs, Arts Bonita continues to invest in new facilities, enhanced galleries, and expanded studios to meet growing demand.

Powered by an exceptional creative staff, a highly collaborative culture, and a clear vision for the future, Arts Bonita is building programs, facilities, and partnerships that are actively transforming the cultural landscape of Southwest Florida. This is an opportunity to contribute at a high level, grow alongside an organization on a strong upward trajectory, and be part of work that has lasting community impact.

Employment Openings

Membership & Development Manager

Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: $50,000 – $70,000

Full job description and application details

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.

• Working closely with the President & CEO, Board members, volunteers, and staff, the Membership & Development Manager will identify new opportunities for growth, cultivate donors and members, secure sponsorships and auction donations, strengthen community partnerships, and advance Arts Bonita's mission.

• 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

Serve as a primary ambassador for Arts Bonita by:

• Building strategic relationships with gated communities, country clubs, private and social clubs, homeowners' associations, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs, businesses, and community leaders.

• Coordinating presentations and outreach that promote Arts Bonita's programs, memberships, sponsorship opportunities, and philanthropic initiatives.

• Developing partnerships that generate members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, students, ticket buyers, and community advocates.

• Representing 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.

• Soliciting sponsorships, raffle prizes, and in‑kind donations.

• Cultivating auction donors and community partners.

• Working 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

The ideal candidate is:

• 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.