Development Assistant

Development Assistant

Part-Time | 25–30 Hours per Week | $22 per Hour
Flexible schedule; usual work hours can be adjusted based on the candidate’s availability and departmental needs. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required for events.

Position Overview

The Palace Theatre is seeking an organized, motivated, and personable Development Assistant to support the organization’s fundraising efforts, with a focus on corporate sponsorships, individual giving, and membership.

Working closely with the Director of Corporate Development and Director of Patron Engagement, the Development Assistant will help manage donor and sponsor information, coordinate communications and benefits, track fundraising activity, prepare materials, and support the cultivation and stewardship of Palace supporters.

This is a great opportunity for someone interested in nonprofit fundraising, relationship management, and the performing arts.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Sponsorships

• Maintain sponsor records, agreements, payments, benefits, and deadlines.
• Assist with sponsorship proposals, renewals, correspondence, and stewardship.
• Research prospective sponsors and help maintain a pipeline of current, prospective, and lapsed sponsors.
• Coordinate sponsor benefits and recognition with other Palace departments.
• Assist with sponsor meetings, receptions, presentations, and reporting.

Individual Giving & Membership

• Support the Palace’s membership and annual giving programs.
• Process and track donations, memberships, renewals, and acknowledgments.
• Prepare thank-you letters, renewal communications, appeals, and donor correspondence.
• Assist with donor and member cultivation, retention, benefits, and special invitations.
• Conduct prospect research and maintain records of donor interactions and follow-up opportunities.

Development Administration

• Maintain accurate donor and sponsor information in the Palace’s database.
• Assist with data entry, reporting, prospect tracking, and revenue reconciliation.
• Prepare reports, spreadsheets, mailing lists, proposals, presentations, and other development materials.
• Help coordinate meetings, calendars, deadlines, and follow-up with donors, sponsors, prospects, and community partners.
• Assist with additional development projects as needed.

Events & Engagement

• Assist with donor receptions, sponsor events, membership experiences, fundraising events, and recognition activities.
• Help with guest lists, registration, event materials, and occasional on-site support.

Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, administration, customer relations, sales, marketing, or a related field preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional and comfortable communicating with donors, sponsors, business leaders, and community members.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel; CRM or donor database experience is a plus.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Interest in the performing arts or nonprofit sector is a plus.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is organized, proactive, personable, and eager to learn more about fundraising. They enjoy building relationships, keeping projects moving, and making sure details do not fall through the cracks.

They should be comfortable picking up the phone, sending a thoughtful email, following up on outstanding items, and helping move relationships forward. There is an opportunity for this position to grow and take on additional responsibility in sponsorships, individual giving, membership, and donor stewardship.

Compensation & Schedule

$22 per hour, approximately 25–30 hours per week.

The Palace offers flexibility in establishing the employee’s usual work schedule, based on their availability and departmental needs. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for donor, sponsor, membership, or fundraising events.

Pay: $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25.0 – 30.0 per week

Work Location: In person