Development Officer

About Charleston Jazz

Charleston Jazz is a leading cultural nonprofit dedicated to preserving, promoting, and presenting jazz through world-class performances, education, and outreach. Our programs include the Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Charleston Jazz Academy, the Charleston Jazz Festival, community outreach initiatives, and a wide range of artistic collaborations. As we continue to grow our impact and expand our footprint, we seek a Development Officer to help advance our mission through strategic fundraising and donor engagement.

The Development Officer plays an essential role in securing financial resources to support Charleston Jazz’s artistic, educational, and community programs. This employee works closely with the Executive Director to support the organization’s fundraising goals through various channels, including individual giving, events, sponsor ships and grants. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and relationship-builder who thrives in a collaborative, creative environment and is passionate about the arts.

• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts. Develop personalized strategies for donor engagement in collaboration with the Executive Director. Conduct regular outreach including meetings, calls, and event invitations to deepen donor relationships. Assist in developing donor recognition and stewardship initiatives that enhance donor retention. Support Board members and leadership in donor engagement activities.
• Research new foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities aligned with Charleston Jazz programs. Write compelling LOIs, grant proposals, and grant reports that clearly articulate organizational impact and need. Maintain an annual grants calendar, ensuring all deadlines, deliverables, and stewardship requirements are met. Gather data and collaborate with staff to produce accurate program narratives, budgets, and outcomes. Track and analyze grant performance to support strategic fundraising planning.
• Support the planning and execution of Charleston Jazz’s special events, including the annual gala. Assist with event logistics, sponsorship outreach, invitations, run‑of‑show, and guest relations. Help manage event committees, volunteers, and vendors to ensure seamless event execution. Coordinate donor cultivation events, receptions, and small gatherings throughout the year. Track event metrics and produce post‑event reports to enhance future planning.
• Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM (e.g., Bloomerang), including contacts, moves management, and activity tracking. Document donor interactions and assist with timely acknowledgment letters and stewardship materials. Support development reporting for Board meetings, campaigns, and strategic planning.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Marketing team, Program staff, and the Board Development Committee. Contribute to the creation of fundraising messaging, campaign materials, and donor communications. Participate as a key member of a small, mission‑driven team working toward ambitious fundraising goals.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and donor cultivation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience supporting fundraising events; ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Familiarity with CRM systems.
• Passion for arts, culture, music, and community impact.

• Warm, professional, and donor‑centric.
• Self‑motivated with strong initiative and follow‑through.
• Collaborative team player who enjoys building relationships.
• Flexible, creative, and comfortable in a dynamic environment.
• High integrity and commitment to ethical fundraising practices.

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience in the range of $55,000‑$70,000.
• Health insurance stipend and access to 401(k) retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off including all major holidays.
• Position is remote in the Charleston area. Must be available for in‑person meetings, concerts and events.
• Professional development opportunities.

To apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to  Open until filled.