Director of Development

Celebrating its 10th year of producing classic theatre in the Sedgwick Theater, Quintessence Theatre Group’s board and staff have been hard at work planning for the next decade. Reporting to the Managing Director (MD) and working closely with the Artistic Director (AD) and appropriate members of the Board of Directors, the Development Director (Director) will spearhead development efforts as Quintessence Theatre Group continues to grow. A new position in the organization, the Director will have the unique opportunity to build on years of organizational growth and lead fundraising efforts that will shape the cultural landscape of Northwest Philadelphia.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Individual Giving

•    Oversee organization’s prospecting

o    Meet regularly with Artistic Director and Managing Director to identify and prioritize prospects.

o    Regularly review attendance lists for high net worth individuals.

o    Review other philanthropic sources for possible prospects.

•    Cultivate donors

o    Current donors

->    Divide major donors into portfolios that are managed by Artistic Director, Managing Director, Director of Development, and some board members.

->   Identify opportunities for upgrading giving levels.

o    Prospective Donors

->    Identify where interests align, propensity to give, and capacity to give.

->    Design and execute communications cultivation strategy.

•    Solicit donations

o    Oversee solicitations whether by board member, Artistic Director, Managing Director and/or self.

o    Work with Marketing and Box Office Manager to develop direct mail and email campaigns that target asks by segment.

o    Track pledges and pledge fulfillment.

o    Ensure all gifts are accurately recorded in CRM database.

•    Oversee stewardship of current donors

o    Develop call lists for board members, Managing Director and Artistic Director.

o    Ensure thank you notes, tax receipts and acknowledgements are sent in a timely manner.

o    Ensure any donor benefits are fulfilled.

Foundation, Government, and Corporate Funding

•    Supervise Grant Writer in identifying grants, crafting grant proposals, and submitting necessary funder reports.

•    Identify opportunities for corporate contributions and work with Managing Director to make and follow through with corporate appeals.

Capital Campaign

•    Work with the Artistic Director, Managing Director, and Board of Directors to review campaign strategy, and set campaign sub-goals

•    Provide leadership to develop campaign communications and cultivation event activity plans

•    Manage visits and solicitations with Artistic Director, Managing Director, alone, and with other steering committee or board members

•    Identify prospects on the individual, corporation, and foundation levels

•    Manage the grants process with the Grant Writer

•    Identify and cultivate steering committee and board members

•    Plan and run steering committee meetings

•    Create and edit campaign communications, such as acknowledgments, follow-up letters, and newsletters

QUALIFICATIONS

•    Extensive knowledge of fundraising strategies and principles.

•    Excellent management and supervisory skills.

•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

•    Excellent interpersonal skills.

•    4+ years experience in development and fundraising for nonprofit or in front-line sales or similar role.

•    Knowledge of PatronManager or Salesforce helpful.

•    Capital Campaign experience helpful.

ABOUT QUINTESSENCE THEATRE GROUP

Founded in 2009, Quintessence Theatre Group is the only professional theater company in culturally and economically diverse Northwest Philadelphia. 

Quintessence re-envisions the classics for present-day audiences while remaining true to the play’s epic scope and poetic text.  This approach attracts both nationally recognized and local actors who find challenge and inspiration in Quintessence’s thought-provoking and innovative productions.  Our flexible ticket pricing encourages theatergoers at all income levels to attend.  A robust outreach program introduces hundreds of children under 18 to the classics through family-friendly productions, interactive school workshops, and student matinees with talkbacks.

Quintessence is committed to anti-racism and dismantling misogyny, bigotry, and white supremacy throughout our organization.