Development Associate
Cain Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of providing exceptional visual arts, performing arts, and social experiences to the Lake Norman Region of North Carolina. Founded in 2016, the organization operates two arts facilities in downtown Cornelius, and provides programs in arts education, performing arts, and community impact. It is funded through ticket sales, class and education tuition, philanthropic gifts, and local and state government grants.
Position Summary
The Development Associate is an integral member of the Cain Center for the Arts Development team, supporting administrative duties for the department’s fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorships, grants, events, and overall operations.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized, relationship-oriented professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about the arts and the impact they have on the community.
Key Responsibilities
Donor Relations & Stewardship
-Maintain timely donor communications, acknowledgments, thank-you letters, payment reminders, invitations, and stewardship activities (including thank you letters by committee members)
- Maintain accurate and timely donor records in the CRM
- Schedule Development meetings on calendar platforms, including Momentus and Microsoft
- Coordinate donor meetings, tours, special experiences, and cultivation opportunities
- Provide administrative support to the department with set up materials for meetings
Corporate Sponsorships & Partnerships
- Maintain sponsorship records, deadlines, contracts, and deliverables
- Assist with the creation of sponsorship agreements and with the retrieval of the final documents
- Support prospect research and preparation of sponsorship proposals and presentations
Fundraising Events
- Provide administrative support for fundraising and donor events, including the Cain Center Gala, cultivation events, donor receptions, and other Development initiatives
- Maintain accurate records of invitations, RSVPs, guest lists, seating, registration, event materials, and follow-up
- Support post-event stewardship, including thank-you communications and donor follow-up
Grants & Other Development Support
- Assist with grant research, prospect identification, application preparation, reporting, and tracking
- Assist with maintaining grant calendars and deadlines
- Assist with tracking grant deliverables and stewardship requirements
Development Operations
- Maintain accurate donor and prospect information within the CRM with regular maintenance
- Prepare reports, lists, mailing materials, presentations, and other development documents as needed
- Support prospect research and maintain donor/prospect portfolios
- Assist with monitoring fundraising goals, timelines, and key performance data indicators & trends
- Maintain organized electronic and physical development files
Team Collaboration
- Work closely with the Development team to support the department goals
- Participate in Development Committee, Events Committee, and other meetings as needed
- Represent Cain Center professionally at events and in the community as needed
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience
- 2–4 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, event management, communications, or a related field
- Strong organizational and project-management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Google Workspace and database/CRM systems
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events
Preferred:
- Experience with individual giving, corporate sponsorships, grants, or donor stewardship
- Experience working with a nonprofit CRM such as Neon Salesforce, Tessitura, Bloomerang, Blackbaud, or similar
- Experience in an arts, cultural, education, or community-based nonprofit organization
- Experience coordinating fundraising or donor events
Core Competencies
- Relationship Communications: Communicates and cultivates professional relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners
- Organization: Manages CRM records, data trends, and multiple administrative duties and projects effectively
- Discretion: Handles confidential donor and organizational information with professionalism
Success in This Role
Success in this position will be demonstrated through:
- CRM Management of records, gift entries, donor details, and reports
- Strong and timely donor stewardship.
- Effective support of fundraising campaigns and events.
- Consistent follow-through on sponsorship and donor benefits.
- Strong support of grant and fundraising deadlines.
- Meaningful data contributions to assist with the Development team’s annual fundraising goals.
FLSA Status/Classification:
The Development Associate is a Part-Time, Non-Exempt Employee.
Statement of Non-Discrimination:
Cain Center for the Arts actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. The Cain Center for the Arts is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age.
Cain Center Values:
· Inspirational: To be a center that inspires and encourages creativity.
· Community-centered: To be a center that serves everyone. To expose, invite, and engage as a destination for all members of the community.
· Creative: To serve as a hub of creativity, providing a platform for unique and individual expression.
· Entertaining: To provide a holistic experience that produces valuable, enjoyable experiences while also focusing on comfort.
· Educational: To be a center where the arts and education connect.
Application process:
To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume electronically to this posting. No phone calls will be accepted. The cover letter should highlight your qualifications and experience and how they align with the requirements of Cain Center for the Arts.
This role is open until filled.
Job Type: Part-time
Benefits:
· 403(b)
Work Location: In person
Pay: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Expected hours: No more than 29.0 per week
Benefits:
Application Question(s):
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events.
Work Location: In person
