Director of Development - Job Description
About Tara
Tara’s mission is to awaken students’ minds and hearts, to foster their sense of
connection to each other and the world, to engage them in meaningful work and
activities, and to excite them about life itself.
Director of Development
Tara Institute of the Performing Arts is seeking a skilled and visionary fundraising professional to lead its
development efforts. An integral part of the school and theater communities, the Director of
Development is the champion of Tara’s culture of making a transformational education
available via a robust scholarship fund, is a steward of the school and its resources, and
is a strategic thinker who will fuel and oversee a dynamic fundraising program.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on and collaborative leader with proven
experience in fundraising operations. Reporting to the Officers of the Board of Trustees,
the Development Director will collaborate with the Board of Trustees and will engage
actively with Tara’s community, parent and alumni constituencies.
This is a full time, exempt, on-site position.
Responsibilities & Duties
- Work with the Officers of the Board of Trustees, the Tara Business Manager, the
- Development Committee and the current and outgoing Development director to
- develop and ensure the annual fundraising goals are achieved. Evaluating
- progress toward these goals, the Development Director will lead and refine
- approach and strategy as needed to ensure goal achievement and will
- communicate progress regularly.
- Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans encompassing individual giving,
- major gifts, and events, and do so with a focus on driving recurring donations and
- sustainable revenue growth.
- Develop and manage all activities related to school fundraising initiatives,
- including but not limited to the annual and 5-year goals and Capital Campaigns,
- with a focus on both participation and dollars raised.
- Develop and oversee donor gratitude and recognition programs, including
- acknowledgment letters, reports and special events.
- Develop strategies to deepen alumni engagement and increase donor
- participation rates.
- Develop the strategy and prepare briefing materials to engage, ask, and steward
- donors.
- Manage a portfolio of current and potential donors and drive expansion of that
- portfolio.
- In collaboration with the marketing team, create solicitation and
- communication materials that align with Tara’s brand identity specifically aimed
- at the needs of donors and funders
- Write and apply for several eligible grants per month
- Implement a strategic plan that supports the management and achievement of
- the school’s overall fundraising need; recognize and adapt to the fact that the in-
- year fundraising need can evolve as other changes occur in the business.
- Manage and grow a diverse portfolio of current and prospective donors through a
- target moves management plan.
- Formally reconcile committed (written or verbal) donations to actual collections
- per the Business Office, and pursue uncollected gaps with committed donors, as
- appropriate
- Track restricted donations, including communication with the Business Office to
- ensure proper accounting, and work with the Business Office to release
- Restrictions, when appropriate
- Other ad hoc projects or duties as assigned or requested by the Officers of the
- Board and the Tara Leadership Council.
- Attend each festival, Tara theatre production, parent meeting and other school
- events so as to directly learn and integrate the culture and mission of the school
- and be able to speak to these critical, life-changing aspects of the school with
- potential donors
This job may be a great fit for you if:
- You have a demonstrated history of successful experience in fundraising and
- nonprofit leadership
- You are mission driven and passionate about education
- You are a self-starter looking forward to making an impact
- You are someone who consistently takes initiative, likes working independently,
- thinks boldly, and has the confidence to lead with both strategy and action
- You are comfortable representing a Waldorf school that is based on the works of
- Rudolf Steiner
Salary And Benefits
- Annual salary of $85,000 - $100,000
- May convert compensation to Base + Commission prior to candidate finalization
- to drive compensation upside for success
- Generous Paid Time Off (5 wks)
- Employer paid medical insurance for employees, employee paid dental/vision/life insurance available
- Tuition remission for students enrolled in Tara after 1 yr of employment
Qualities And Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in related field; advanced degree preferred
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in development or advancement, preferably in a school environment
- Demonstrated success in planning and executing comprehensive fundraising campaigns, including annual giving, capital campaigns, events, and major gifts
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups, including faculty, staff, volunteers, trustees, donors, and other community members
- Flexibility to work after-hours and occasionally on weekends, especially around key donor events.
- Strong event planning and execution skills, with experience overseeing fundraising events from conception to execution.
- Proven track record of personally securing five-and-six figure gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners
- Understands the power of donor communications and how storytelling supports donor engagement and retention.
- Experience in retention and recognition programs
- Excellent writing skills
- Intermediate level experience with Google Suite and FACTS
- Passion for education and the mission, vision, and core values of Tara
- Confidentiality, vision, energy, and a sense of humor
- Established connections with the greater Boulder community preferred