Development Associate

The Opportunity

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School (RIPO&MS) seeks a Development Associate to become part of the Development team. The Development Associate will work closely with the Director of Development, Executive Director and other members of the staff and Board to help organize and implement fundraising efforts. They will help manage relationships with RIPO&MS’s new and existing donors. The role supports an organization that balances its commitment to world class orchestral music and music education with a mission to deepen and widen its presence across all communities, with a particular focus on bringing the joy and experience of music to children in our most under resourced communities.

Responsibilities:

Donor Cultivation and Database Management 

• Help maintain a system of relationship management, solicitations, and cultivation activities.
• Promptly and accurately enter donations into the donor database, and update donor profiles regularly to ensure that the database is current, accurate, comprehensive, and useful.  
• Promptly and accurately generate donor acknowledgments and other forms of communication including special fund reports and targeted donor communications.
• With direction from senior staff, prepare development proposals, letters, solicitations, emails, and other documents as needed.
• Generate development reports and maintain a development dashboard, legacy gift pipeline and other required reports needed by staff and/or development committee.
• Conduct donor prospect research as directed.

Event Support 

• Support development-related event planning, including the annual Gala, and facilitate donor/sponsor participation. 
• Attend concerts to support donor stewardship. 
• Attend other events as requested to enhance donor relationships and participation.

Development Practice 

• Stay abreast of best practice and participate in relevant professional development.
• Help create and maintain a culture of stewardship, accountability and trust with donors and staff.
• With support from senior staff, learn about different giving options and strategies for donors, and put them into practice.

Other Duties 

• Assist with special fundraising projects, such as annual appeal and special campaigns, board member appeal, newsletter, capital campaigns, and other fundraising activities as needed.
• Other duties as required.
  

Essential Qualifications:

• Appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of RIPO&MS.
• A high level of enthusiasm for working within a professional fundraising environment.
• A high level of comfort with database management. Blackbaud Raisers Edge experience preferred.  Must be adept with spreadsheets, data imports/exports, and mail merge. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to build genuine relationships with RIPO&MS staff, board members, donors, partners, and program participants.
• Self-motivated to meet deadlines and maintain accurate, organized records.
• Ability to manage donor and personal information with sensitivity and confidentiality. 
• Be an inquisitive self-starter.

Benefits:

This is a full-time position, with most hours worked in the office (located in East Providence, Rhode Island), but ability to consider remote work up to one-day per week.  Benefits include paid time off, health insurance, and a retirement match. Salary range: $43,000 - $53,000 depending on experience.

To apply, please submit a current resume, cover letter, and three professional references to Jill Frechette at  jfrechette@riphil.org. Please note Registrar & School Engagement Manager position in the subject line. No phone calls.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School is a $6 million per year, rapidly growing non-profit. RIPO&MS is redefining the musical arts organization of the 21st Century. Established in 1944, it is one of the finest regional orchestras in the nation and boasts the most comprehensive education programs of any professional orchestra. Artistry and education are equal priorities. Access, diversity, and collaboration are valued alongside a commitment to quality.

RIPO&MS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to cultural diversity and equity. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and women. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference or orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, ethnicity, disability, protected veteran status, or marital status.