Development Officer

Public Works Art Center is a family-friendly 501(C)(3) nonprofit community art center in the heart of Downtown Summerville, started by a group of dreamers with little resources but a lot of heart. Opened three weeks prior to Covid-19 coming to Summerville in 2020, the art center thrives today with three galleries changing exhibitions every eight weeks, special (free!) events, classes for all ages, summer camps, nine art studios, and much more.

PWAC is very intentional about fostering inclusion, cultivating connection, and inspiring togetherness, working to be a community center as much as an art center. The space has become special to many, with many more yet to discover it.

Note:

This year, Public Works Art Center is expanding, purchasing a building next door in response to a once-in-a-generation opportunity which will allow us to increase our revenue streams, create space for the South Carolina Arts Commission, and better serve our community. A capital pre-campaign was completed in late 2025. In late January 2026, a reputable fundraising company was hired to support the capital campaign as well as any other fundraising needs of the organization, and the candidate can expect to work with the company and receive significant “on the job” fundraising training while the company is contracted.

Now Seeking:
Development Officer

Position Summary: The Development Officer is responsible for driving financial sustainability, and focuses on prospecting, cultivating, stewardship, renewals, and direct solicitations of individual donors and corporate sponsors. Key duties include building relationships, planning fundraising events, managing donor/member engagement, and maintaining donor databases.

The role often involves working evenings/weekends for events and supporting executive leadership in strategic philanthropy.

Position Type: Full Time

The Development Officer plays an essential role in helping the organization reach its goals, securing financial resources through major gifts, planned giving, corporate giving, events, grants, and stewardship of individual donors.

• Capital Campaign: As noted above, PWAC is about to embark on a capital campaign. Initial hopes were around $4 million, with the pre-campaign feasibility study estimating around $2.4 million. A major component - and initial focus - of this role will be working with the Executive Director, Capital Campaign committee, and contracted fundraising company to secure funding and pledges from current and potential prospective donors.
• Fundraising Strategy & Planning: Working with the Executive Director, and initially, a contracted fundraising company, develop realistic and measurable plans that align with PWAC goals to retain and attract support from a broad base of donors, companies, and foundations. Regularly monitor and evaluate progress toward goals, and report progress, risks, and new fundraising directions as needed to the Executive Director and Board.
  
  Attend fundraising conference(s) and/or pursue professional development to stay up-to-date on fundraising trends.
• Fundraising Appeals and Campaigns: Work collaboratively with the Creative Coordinator and other key team members on the implementation of donor-centric fundraising campaigns and initiatives through mail, email, and events.
• Individual Gifts & Donor Relations: Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and corporate gifts, drafting both general operating and program-specific proposals, sponsor ships, and multiyear 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.
• Grants & Institutional Funding (Shared with the Executive Director): Identify and prioritize aligned grant opportunities. Track grants, manage calendars, submissions, and follow-up: with the organization open to new software. Track grant outcomes, author and submit…