Development Manager

CircEsteem - Uniting Youth Through The Circus Arts

Development Manager

Job Description

2025

Job Title: Development Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: None

Employment Status: Full-Time (40 hrs/wk)

CircEsteem’s mission is to unite youth across all backgrounds and identities by fostering self-esteem and mutual respect through the practice and performance of circus arts. Social circus, the methodology used by CircEsteem, is an approach that uses circus arts to impact social change through instilling confidence and leadership in young participants. We are creative leaders with a passion for youth development who are role models facilitating, culturally, responsive, relationships within our community through education and dialogue around social emotional intelligence, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We approach this work with humanity, patience, love, and continued self-reflection. We are active participants and strengthening our organizational culture.

CircEsteem values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. CircEsteem is an equal opportunity employer who deeply believes in diversity, equity and inclusion. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Responsibilities

The Development Manager (DM) will be primarily responsible for supporting and implementing the fundraising functions of CircEsteem. The DM must be able to work in a fast-paced and multi-tasked environment with confidence and efficiency while also knowing how to slow down enough to pause, notice and reflect on the performance of our fundraising capacities and systems. The ideal candidate will be creative, organized, and a hands-on fundraiser.

The DM has primary responsibility for implementing fundraising operations including grant prospecting, cultivation and application development, donor engagement and cultivation, and special events.

This position will have a regular work week of Monday through Friday, approximately 9am – 5pm. CircEsteem is an in-person workplace. Occasional weekend and evening special events occur throughout the year.

Grants (40%)

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, identify grant opportunities from foundation and government funders that align with CircEsteem’s strategic goals and support the application process through prospecting, relationship cultivation, and grant writing.
• Manage the grant reporting process for all existing and new grants.

Donor Management and Administration (20%)

• Manage CircEsteem’s CRM (Little Green Light) by inputting data, running reports, and operationalizing this software.
• Update and track grants applications, reports, individual donor outreach cadence and other regularly calendared development activities through a share Development Calendar.
• Support the planning and implementation of donor recognition and stewardship activities.
• In coordination with the Executive Director, support the creation of an annual development plan which increases brand awareness and revenue (Individual Donors, Grants, Fundraising Event Revenue, and Corporate Support).

Individual Donor Cultivation and Management (20%)

• Support the cultivation of individual donors through direct relationship building, annual fundraising campaigns, and other methods as identified together with the Executive Director.

Special Events and Fundraising Events (20%)

• Support the planning and implementation of CircEsteem’s fundraising events and special events throughout the year.
• Manage consultants engaged for these special events.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of experience writing grants for non profits, preferably youth development or violence prevention agencies. Additional experience within development department is ideal.
• Existing relationships with foundations and corporate donors interested in funding youth development, arts education and violence prevention.
• Mastery of Donor CRM Software, experience with Little Green Light is a plus.
• The ability to collaborate effectively while working independently and actively uses feedback to assess both.
• A solid understanding of spreadsheets (Excel and Google Sheets preferred), Google Drive, Calendar, and email, and other online/computer software used for organizing and communicating.
• Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills including strong oral and writing skills, detail-orientation, managing multiple email accounts and engaging with internal staff and external partners.
• Candidates must demonstrate high levels of self-awareness and the ability to actively listen, be empathic and build strong relationships with a diverse group of individuals and groups that reflects our organizational vision, mission and core values.
• Understanding youth programs, program delivery, and the operational indicators of success.
• Experience or willingness to learn about individual giving, annual giving, and planned giving.
• Provide friendly, donor-centered customer service and represent the agency and our mission in a professional and positive manner.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Annual salary: $60,000
• Generous Benefit Allowance of $600/month to be applied towards Health Insurance Premium or Employer Contributed 403b Retirement Savings.
• 20 days of PTO, 10 days of public holidays
• 3-months paid parental leave
• Quarterly Mental Health Stipend

Apply Now: If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your application materials including a cover letter and resume at this link.https://forms.gle/F9QXpnXyf9AiCAGb7

We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented communities to apply. CircEsteem is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Annual salary: $60,000
• Benefit Allowance of $600/month to be applied towards Health Insurance Premium or Employer Contributed 403b Retirement Savings.
• 20 days of PTO, 10 days of public holidays
• 3-months paid parental leave
• Quarterly Mental Health Stipend