Development Manager

Performing Arts Academy of Colorado (PAA)
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO 

About PAA
The Performing Arts Academy of Colorado (PAA) is a premier youth theater organization serving more than 2,000 students each year.

Through accessible classes, summer camps, and theatrical productions, PAA promotes both artistic and personal growth for diverse youth. Our mission is to create community, build character, and inspire excellence through comprehensive performing arts education.

Position Summary
The Development Manager creates and executes fundraising strategies to support PAA’s youth theater programs. This role builds donor relationships, manages grants, and coordinates fundraising events.

Key Responsibilities

Individual Giving & Donor Stewardship

• Manage annual appeals. Design and execute direct mail and digital fundraising campaigns.
• Cultivate donor relationships. Build strong connections with individual donors, board members, PAA alumni, and families.
• Maintain donor database. Track contributions, update contact info, and ensure accurate data entry.
• Send timely acknowledgments. Ensure all donors receive prompt receipts and personalized thank-you letters.

Grant Management & Writing

• Research funding opportunities. Identify new foundation, corporate, and government grant prospects.
• Write compelling proposals. Draft grant applications that clearly communicate the impact of youth arts education.
• Track reporting deadlines. Monitor grant timelines and submit accurate narrative and financial reports.

Corporate Sponsorships & Events

• Secure corporate partners. Pitch local businesses for program advertisements and production sponsorships.
• Collaborate with Development Coordinator on fundraising events such as annual galas and lead opening-night receptions and/or special donor cultivation events.
• Coordinate benefit fulfillment, ensuring corporate sponsors receive their contracted benefits and public recognition.

Marketing & Collaboration

• Collaborate and lead the design for impact reports, donor newsletters, and fundraising social media campaigns.
• Support the board. Prepare fundraising reports and assist the Board of Directors with development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years in nonprofit fundraising, ideally within arts education or youth services.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Software skills: Proficiency or preferred knowledge of donor databases (e.g., Bloomerang) and Microsoft Office.
• Communication: Exceptional writing and storytelling skills to convey the magic of theater and youth development.
• Work style: Strong organizational skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Availability: Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends during technical rehearsals and production runs for fundraising events.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: Part-Time Non-Exempt Hourly with an average of 30 hours / week, hourly rate range is $25-$35
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401K plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Background checks are performed on all hired employees. 

Note that, due to the volume of applications, we will contact only those selected for an interview.