Director of Development

The Theater Offensive (TTO) is a social change organization focused on queer and trans people of color (QTPOC) and their allies that uses theater and the creative process as a cultural organizing tool. We are seeking applications for the full-time position of Director of Development.

Reporting to the Executive Director, this position will be responsible for the planning and execution of all TTO fundraising initiatives to grow critical support for our mission: to present liberating art by, for, and about queer and trans people of color that transcends artistic boundaries, celebrates cultural abundance, and dismantles oppression.

We seek a collaborative, dynamic leader with a proven track record in nonprofit fundraising and a deep appreciation for social justice and the arts. They will be highly organized and an initiative-taking with a clear and demonstrated passion for supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

• Please note, this is a hybrid position, with residency in Massachusetts required. Attendance at in-person events, including on some nights and weekends, will be a component of the position*

Our Top Candidate Will Be

• An all-around fundraiser: You have worked across a range of fundraising disciplines, from managing development databases, to supporting major gift work, to executing annual appeals, to preparing for board meetings. You are comfortable with what it takes to meet our fundraising goals and driven to meet them. The current TTO operating budget is $2.6M
• An Entrepreneur: You are a hands-on practitioner, but can anticipate the needs of the organization and provide senior staff with what they need to be successful.
• Outgoing: You understand the need for personal relationships. You are eager to work with our board and meet with donors, helping to ensure their success with our fundraising efforts.
• Strategic: You’re on the ball, and understand what it takes to keep our annual development calendar on track. You aren’t afraid to “manage up” and make suggestions about how to improve operations.
• Detail oriented: You are a stickler for accuracy, and take pride in producing work that reflects the level of excellence expected of every staff member at the Coolidge.
• Collaborative and flexible: You understand and appreciate the rhythm of a nonprofit organization, where staff members are always willing to pitch in for special events and unexpected challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

General Development:

• Create and execute a comprehensive, multi-year development plan, including strategies and tactics for growing individual giving, institutional support, and fundraising events.

• Donor Relations:
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
  • Create and manage a donor stewardship program, particularly around major donors, ensuring timely acknowledgment and communication.
  • Manage and track organizational pledges, in tandem with the Development Manager.
  • Delegate donor portfolios and prospects across the organization.
  • Work with the development and marketing teams to create strategy and oversee execution of annual letter, email, and digital appeals.
• Grant Writing and Management:
  • Oversee research and identification of grant opportunities from government, foundation, and corporate sources.
  • Write and submit grant proposals, reports, and correspondence.
  • Track and manage grant deadlines and requirements.
  • Maintain and cultivate relationships with corporate and institutional funder contacts; serve as point of contact for most institutional funders
• Fundraising Events:
  • Plan and execute fundraising events, including galas, donor receptions, and community outreach initiatives.
  • Collaborate with staff and volunteers to ensure successful event execution.
  • Create/manage event fundraising strategy and conduct post-event analysis.
  • Manage event Host Committee and sponsorships.
• Team Collaboration and Supervision:
  • Manage supervisees to ensure fundraising goals are met and donor relation goals are achieved and alternative methods of funding are developed.
  • Work closely with the marketing team to design materials and promote fundraising initiatives.
  • Engage with artistic and administrative staff to align fundraising strategies with the company’s mission and vision.
• Organizational Leadership:
  • Create department revenue and expense budgets, as well as annual Development plan.
  • Collaborate with Deputy Director in creation of the organization’s budget & projected income for each fiscal year.
  • Cultivate and manage key relationships and partnerships.
  • Create/update the development plan and calendar on an annual basis in alignment with strategic and budgetary goals/priorities/needs.
  • Evaluate success against the development plan with data analysis.
  • Be the primary point of contact and staff manager for the Development Board Committee, supporting their work with materials and oversight.
• Reporting and Analysis:
  • Maintain accurate records of donor contributions and campaign progress.
  • Prepare regular reports for the Executive Director and Board on fundraising activities and outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Passion for the arts and a commitment to TTO’s mission.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising,
• Experience in building a major gifts program required, with proven track record of successfully securing major gifts and managing donor relationships.
• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to articulate the organization’s mission and vision compellingly.
• Deadline-oriented and able to prioritize multiple complex responsibilities while maintaining attention to detail and performance
• Proficiency in a CRM database
• Familiarity with grant writing and knowledge of funding sources for the arts.
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary range: $90,000-$115,000, depending on experience
• 3 weeks vacation
• 100% employer paid health insurance
• Paid holidays, sick, and personal time
• Professional development funds

How to Apply: Please e-mail a resume and cover letter highlighting your interest and experience to apply@thetheateroffensive.org. Applications should be submitted by January 23rd, 2026. Please note, review of applications will begin in January 2026.

About The Theater Offensive

Founded in 1989 by Abe Rybeck and a group of artist-activists, TTO grew out of a queer street theater troupe in Boston. Throughout its history, TTO has used bold art to challenge the status quo and help LGBTQ individuals break through personal isolation. TTO is at a pivotal moment in its history, with new shared organizational leadership, a new staffing structure, a new mission, and a new strategic plan. This is a great moment of discovery and the organization is looking for candidates interested in creating a QTPOC organizational culture that centers our 5 core values: OUTness, Design Justice, Shared Power, Youth Leadership, and Experimentation and Innovation. The next few years of our strategic plan focuses on research, discovery, planning, transformation, and legacy.

• 3 weeks vacation
• 100% employer paid health insurance
• Paid holidays, sick, and personal time
• Professional development funds

Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.