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
- 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. - 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).
- 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. - 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/