The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County seeks a part-time Development Officer to research and obtain short- and long-term financial support. The Development Officer will work closely with the Executive Director to help advance the Cultural Alliance during this unique period in its growth. With recent new funding, we are able to increase our staff, and recognize this critical moment to sustain and diversify that funding. Our pro-active focus on equity as a guiding principle requires a dedicated fundraiser who can enthusiastically support this drive by attending to, and tracking, our current and historic donors while tapping into new sources of local and national philanthropy.
Job Description The Development Officer will: ● Work with the Executive Director, other staff, and the board of directors, to develop a short- and long-term development plan for the organization. ● Maintain, develop, and fulfill all requirements for the organization’s calendar of grant submissions and awards, keeping detailed reports. ● Develop and maintain relationships with current individual, foundation, and corporate donors. Attend member events and network with potential sponsors and donors. ● Research and forge relationships with new sources of funding from individual, foundation, corporate, national, and municipal sources relevant to CAFC’s new plans and strategies. ● Regularly update the current membership and development database (Filemaker), review its capabilities, and provide informed suggestions for the possible transfer to a new system. ● Work with the board and executive director to cultivate new sources of funding; research, identify, and acquire sponsors for special fundraising events, including the annual Daniel E. Offutt III Arts & Culture Empowerment (ACE) Awards, held in June each year. Our current staffing consists of a full-time executive director, a 30-hour/week Communications and Marketing Director, two research and strategy consultants, and one grant writer consultant who runs a “Funding Booster” program to assist CAFC members with grant applications and strategies. 20-hours per week. Currently work-from-home with once-a-week in-person meetings at our Norwalk office. Salary $25-$30,000 depending on experience and qualifications Qualities and Qualifications The successful candidate will have: ● A passion for our vision and work, understanding and championing our focus on equity and the need to broaden and deepen our reach. ● Applied understanding of basic fundraising principles and development best practices ● 5 years minimum experience in professional (non-profit) fundraising plus a track record in sustaining current funding levels and in researching and obtaining funding from new sources. ● A creative and informed approach to engage funders in new ways. ● Excellent verbal, writing, editing, and proofreading skills; experience with online fundraising and email marketing. ● Project management skills that show an ability to manage deadlines and maintain a high degree of accuracy. ● Knowledge of, and appreciation for, the arts and culture across coastal Fairfield County a plus. ● Ability to work with Claris Filemaker, our combined membership and donor database, a plus. Experience with a range of development systems will be an advantage, as we determine the best way forward ● We’re a Mac-based company. Bonus points for familiarity with this technology environment
To Apply Please submit a cover letter explaining why you think you would be successful in this role, together with a resume or CV, to David Green at ed@culturalalliancefc.org. We will contact select candidates for further review and request references from select candidates only. Qualified candidates from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented are strongly encouraged to apply. | 
