Position Summary
The Director of Development (DoD) is a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Artistic Director in the development and implementation of a comprehensive, multi-channel fundraising strategy to secure approximately 50–60% of Main Street Theater’s annual operating budget through contributed revenue.

This role requires a blend of high-level strategic planning, hands-on execution, and sophisticated relationship management across individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and special events.

Key Responsibilities

1. Individual Giving & Major Gifts (40%)
   Donor Pipeline Management: Oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors at all levels, with a heavy emphasis on growing the major gifts ($5,000+) portfolio.
   Board Engagement: Partner with Board members to maximize their personal giving potential and leverage their networks to introduce new prospects to the theater.
   Annual Campaigns: Strategy and execution for annual appeals, sustained giving circles, and occasional capacity or capital campaigns.
2. Corporate, Foundation & Government Grants (30%)
   Institutional Giving: Oversee the grant-writing calendar, ensuring timely, compelling proposals and meticulous reporting to local, regional and national foundations.
   Houston Philanthropy: Capitalize on Houston’s unique corporate landscape (energy, finance, healthcare, retail) to build creative sponsorship packages tied to productions, education programs, and community outreach.

Public Funding: Manage relationships and applications with local government arts agencies, including the Houston Arts Alliance (HAA), Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA), and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

3. Special Events & Stewardship (20%)
   Annual Gala: Lead the planning and execution of Main Street Theater's annual gala, working with event committees to meet or exceed net revenue targets.
   Opening Night & VIP Experiences: Design and execute high-touch stewardship events, including opening night receptions, behind-the-scenes tech rehearsals, and artist dinners to deepen donor engagement.
4. Operations & Internal Partnership (10%)
   Data Integrity: Supervise the development staff (e.g., Development Coordinator or Database Manager) ensuring accurate donor records, gift processing, and acknowledgment timelines in the CRM (e.g., Tessitura, Spektrix, or Raiser's Edge).

Budgeting & Reporting: Establish annual revenue goals and expense budgets; provide regular, transparent progress reports to the Executive Director and the Board Finance Committee.
Partnership with Main Street Theater executive team to support individual and theater initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience
Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience in the non-profit sector, ideally within the performing arts or cultural spaces; some leadership experience preferred.

Local Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the Houston philanthropic community, including local family foundations, corporate giving priorities, and major cultural donors, is highly preferred.

Track Record: Proven success in personally closing major individual gifts, securing corporate sponsorships, and hitting multi-million dollar institutional revenue goals.

Tools: Proficient with donor management software / CRMs and fundraising analytics.
Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; a natural storyteller who can articulately champion Main Street Theater's commitment to challenging audiences, growing local artists, and providing memorable theatrical experiences.

Flexibility: Willingness to work evening and weekend events, specifically during production opening nights and donor receptions.

Collaboration: Support and partner with team members to ensure effective outcomes.

Compensation & Benefits
Commensurate with experience and scaled for a $2.7M budget organization.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid time off (PTO); and complimentary tickets to all Main Street Theater productions and events.

To Apply
Please submit a resume and a tailored cover letter detailing your experience with arts fundraising and your specific interest in the Houston arts community to rudden@mainstreettheater.com.

Deadline: 11/30/26
Location: Houston, TX
Website: https://mainstreettheater.com/

Join our team and help us bring the art of haiku poetry to a wider audience!
Must Have Typewriter or Be Willing to Purchase One to be Considered

Aspects of the job:

• Poets on our roster write at a variety of events including weddings, corporate events, brand activations, and private gatherings.
• You will be responsible for writing haiku for guests by asking engaging questions and writing for them on the spot, in 3 minutes or less.
• Poets snap photos of every haiku they write at events using their smartphones and upload to a shared licensing folder (this is an added bonus for our clients).
• Hired poets are independent contractors. We negotiate flat rate payment offers for events, the amount of which depends on the circumstances of the event.
• Gigs range in frequency and availability depending on the city—if you're able to do some of them, great, and if not, no sweat.

Why Collaborate with Us?

• Unique Platform: Showcase your poetry through the timeless appeal of typewriters, offering audiences a one-of-a-kind experience.
• Creative Expression: Craft personalized poems on demand, tailored to special occasions and individual requests.
• Performance Opportunities: Share your poetry at a variety of events, connecting with audiences directly.
• Community of Poets: Join a supportive network of fellow typewriter poets who share your passion.

What We Value:

• Originality: We seek unique voices that bring fresh perspectives to poetry.
• Adaptability: The ability to craft poems on the spot, responding to various prompts and themes.
• Engagement and Empathy: A knack for connecting with audiences and sharing your love of poetry.
• Appreciation of the analog: An appreciation for the tactile experience and enduring

Who is on our roster already?
Actors, Lawyers, Marketers Journalists, Musicians, Waiters, Salespeople, Product Managers, Founders Librarians, Construction Workers, Financiers…Creatives in general!

If you’re interested and think you're a fit, submit your application via the link: https://haikuists.com/pages/work-with-us

Deadline: 10/18/26
Location: Austin, Texas
Website: https://haikuists.com/

Galveston Arts Center Executive Director

The mission of Galveston Arts Center is to inspire, engage, provoke, and inform through the exploration of contemporary art. As a non-collecting, non-profit contemporary art museum, Galveston Arts Center furthers the careers of emerging and mid-career artists living and working in Texas and the surrounding region through the production of exhibitions and supporting media. GAC’s wide-ranging, collaborative educational programs offer accessible and inclusive opportunities for diverse audiences to explore art for a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. (More info at galvestonartscenter.org)

The Executive Director is appointed by the board of directors to promote the mission of GAC and to inspire and connect our community by championing the cultural arts in Galveston. The Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of operations, including fundraising and development, finance, education, volunteers, membership, events, exhibitions, day-to-day operations, long-range planning, and community development.

Responsibilities:
Directs the museum’s operations to ensure the alignment of revenue opportunities, development, exhibitions, education, finances, events, external communications, and staffing.
Works in partnership with staff and Board to oversee all aspects of the center to sustain its achievements and broaden its impact.
Creates and manages a strong and stable financial foundation.
Manages and increases the grants program.
Oversees Curator, Director of Education, Executive Assistant, Gallery Assistant, and library tenants.
Identifies key fundraising goals, target donors, and fundraising initiatives, as well as cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities to build long term relationships and maximize the philanthropic potential of all major donors.
Ensure GAC satisfies project reporting and fiscal management obligations.
Serves as a proactive spokesperson, ambassador, and chief advocate for the Center and for the visual arts in Galveston.
Continues to enhance the Center’s public image to expand interest and support.
Collaborates with the board to create a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
Develops and implements new fundraising strategies with staff and board to increase revenues from individuals, corporate givers, and other philanthropic bodies.
Reviews and updates the strategic plan to guide strategic growth.
Represent GAC at community functions and meetings, civic organizations, and in the arts.
Develop and recommend policies to the Executive Board.
Continues to enhance the goal of working collaboratively with other local non-profits.

Skills, abilities, and attributes:
Ability to work with staff and board of directors.
Ability to create and maintain positive donor, funder, community, and media relationships.
Demonstrated excellent fiscal management abilities, including budget and financial administration.
Excellent written, oral, and presentation/communication skills.
Efficient and effective organizational and leadership skills.
Project management experience.
Background knowledge of, and advocacy for, contemporary art and related issues; and a reputation for integrity.
Conducts all activities in compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Knowledge and skills to effectively work with governmental agencies.
Significant supervisory experience in managing staff, understanding office operations, and working with boards.
Proven track record of hiring, evaluating, mentoring, and retaining high-performing staff.
Strong record of success in fundraising and increasing revenue earned.
Grant writing and grant management experience.

Other:
Executive Director reports directly to the Galveston Arts Center Board of Directors.
Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Benefits include $250 monthly health insurance reimbursement, vacation and paid time off, off on federal holidays, and parking in a nearby parking garage.
Position will be open until filled.

Please email your resume and cover letter to director@galvestonartscenter.org

Deadline: 09/18/27
Location: Galveston, TX
Website: https://www.galvestonartscenter.org/