Job Description

 

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

ABOUT REBUILD FOUNDATION

Rebuild Foundation, under the visionary leadership of artist and social innovator Theaster

Gates, is a dynamic force for change in the world of arts and culture. We are committed to transforming communities through innovative approaches to creative placemaking and the support of artists. Our work is grounded in a deep belief in the power of art to transform lives and spaces.

The Foundation is well known for innovative, ambitious, and impactful arts and cultural initiatives, spearheading projects and programs that amplify the history, value, and promise of

Black creativity at local, national, and international scales. Today, the Foundation activates a constellation of sites on the South Side of Chicago including the Stony Island Arts Bank, Retreat at the Currency Exchange Café, Dorchester Art and Housing, Kenwood Gardens, and the forthcoming St. Laurence Arts Incubator.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Rebuild Foundation is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Development Manager to lead the implementation of our development initiatives. In collaboration with the Executive

Director, the Director of Programs and Operations, the Sr Manager of Administration and

Development, and our Grant Writer, the Development Manager will play a pivotal role in strategizing, planning, and executing fundraising efforts, donor engagement, partnership development, and grant writing. This role is integral to our mission of securing funding to support our artistic and community-driven projects and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

 

Essential Duties:

Fundraising Strategy & Execution:

● Support the cultivation of relationships with prospective individual donors, foundations, and corporations.

● Nurture existing donor relationships to enhance engagement and retention.

● Support personalized donor recognition and stewardship campaigns.

● Assist with coordination and participate in donor meetings, events, and networking activities.

● Collaborate with other Rebuild Foundation departments to identify and establish strategic partnerships.

 

Campaign Management:

● Support the development of fundraising campaigns, including online, offline, and event-based initiatives.

● Develop campaign goals, messaging, and marketing materials.

● Monitor campaign performance and adjust strategies as needed.

● Manage and track budgets, revenue, expenses, and provide reports and updates to leadership.

 

Events & Networking:

● Help to plan, organize, and execute fundraising events, experiences, and donor cultivation activities.

● Provide additional representation of Rebuild Foundation at networking events, conferences, and community-facing events.

 

Grant Writing:

● Research and identify potential grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and other funding sources.

● Evaluate alignment between grant requirements and Rebuild Foundation’s mission and program priorities.

● Develop persuasive and compelling grant proposals in collaboration with the development team that effectively communicate Rebuild Foundation’s goals, programming, and impact to the artistic community.

● Collaborate with other departments to gather necessary information and data for proposals.

● Develop grant proposal outlines, timelines, and milestones in collaboration with the

Program and Operations Director.

● Collaborate on comprehensive project budgets and narratives that align with grant guidelines.

● Ensure timely submission of all grant applications and project deadlines.

 

Collaboration & Communication:

● Collaborate with the Finance department to gather and align financial data and project information.

● Support growth of leadership’s relationships with current and prospective funders.

● Assist in the preparation of progress reports and documentation as required.

 

Skills and Experience:

● Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or certification in grant writing is a plus.

● At least 3-5 years of experience working in fund development or grant writing

(non-profit arts environment preferred but not required).

● Experience implementing development strategies and plans.

● Attention to detail and ability to adhere to strict grant deadlines and submission deadlines.

● Able to work collaboratively, creatively, and independently with colleagues, partners, artists, and external stakeholders.

● Passion for Rebuild Foundation’s mission and the ability to convey its impact through writing.

● Ability to write and synthesize materials and communicate information effectively to different audiences.

● Strong organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple proposal deadlines.

● Familiarity with grant databases, online submission platforms, and grant/donor management software.

 

Characteristics:

● You are kind, culturally aware, curious, and honest

● Strong work ethic; you are flexible with this not being an average 9-5 position

● You are committed to racial equity and justice, understanding how creative empowerment and cultural preservation inform Rebuild Foundation’s work

● You demonstrate excellent judgment and understanding of the current landscape for content creation and maximizing engagement

● You are a storyteller with experience helping organizations tell their stories through grant applications

● You have a proven track record of being awarded grants

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. This position requires the ability to stand throughout the workday, some bending, stooping and stretching, requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate equipment. Employees will be required to type on computers occasionally. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with staff and guests. Rebuild Foundation reserves the right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time based on the needs of the organization.

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Rebuild Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Rebuild Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

 

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

Apply Now