Development Director

Development Director

Organization: Oasis Arts, Inc.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Reports to: Executive Director

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Workplace type: Hybrid (Primarily remote with regular in-person meetings & events)

Salary Range: $95,000–$120,000 annually (commensurate with experience) + benefits

About Oasis Arts

Oasis Arts is a San Francisco–based nonprofit dedicated to raising the impact of queer arts both locally and globally. Drawing on a decade of legacy in the queer arts community, Oasis Arts provides artists — especially those from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC backgrounds — with space, mentorship, resources, and platforms to create and share innovative work. In partnership with community organizations and civic arts agencies, the organization nurtures diversity, fosters intergenerational artistic exchange, and amplifies voices that have historically been excluded from mainstream arts spaces.

Role Summary

Oasis Arts seeks a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead and grow our philanthropic support to advance our mission of raising the impact of queer arts both locally and worldwide. The Development Director will design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that fuels Oasis Arts’ artistic programs, community engagement, capital needs, and long-term sustainability. This role is ideal for a self starter, values-aligned builder and fundraiser who is energized by results, performance, community, and culture; comfortable moving between boardrooms and backstage; and excited to build authentic relationships with donors, foundations, sponsors, and public funders.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with Oasis Arts’ mission, values, and strategic plan
• Set and achieve annual fundraising goals across individual giving, institutional funding, corporate sponsorships, special events, and campaigns
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, and Board of Directors on fundraising priorities and strategy

Individual Giving & Major Gifts

• Build, steward, and grow a portfolio of individual donors, with a focus on major gifts
• Create meaningful donor engagement opportunities connected to performances, artists, and community impact
• Design and manage annual giving campaigns, gift implementation, donor benefits, and recognition programs

Institutional Giving & Sponsorships

• Research and submit compelling grant proposals and reports to foundations and government funders, either overseeing the writing process or writing as required
• Cultivate and manage relationships with corporate sponsors and partners aligned with Oasis Arts’ mission and audience
• Track compliance, reporting deadlines, and outcomes for all institutional funding

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Partner with the Board of Directors to strengthen board fundraising participation and confidence
• Support the Board’s Fundraising Committee and provide clear tools, training, and accountability
• Engage artists, community leaders, and volunteers as ambassadors and supporters

Events & Campaigns

• Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events and campaigns (including galas, donor salons, and community-based events), in partnership with Leadership and the Board of Directors
• Collaborate with programming, marketing, and front-of-house teams to integrate fundraising as a core theme through all of Oasis Arts’ public-facing activities

Communications, Systems & Data

• Collaborate with marketing staff to align donor communications, storytelling, and brand voice
• Create our annual Impact Report, showcasing tangible and inspirational results and achievements from across the organization that directly fulfill our mission and goals
• Oversee donor database management, gift processing, acknowledgments, and reporting
• Track fundraising performance and prepare regular updates for staff, leadership, and the board

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive nonprofit development or fundraising experience
• Demonstrated success securing individual gifts, grants, or sponsorships
• Strong writing and storytelling skills
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building abilities
• Experience working with boards and senior leadership
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Alignment with Oasis Arts’ mission, values, and commitment to equity, inclusion, and queer-centered culture

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience fundraising in arts, culture, nightlife, BIPOC or LGBTQ+ organizations
• Familiarity with public funding and cultural grant programs
• Experience managing donor databases
• Event-based fundraising experience
• Comfort working in a dynamic, performance-driven environment with nontraditional hours as needed

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary commensurate with experience and organizational scale. Comprehensive benefits package.

Equity & Inclusion

Oasis Arts is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and under-represented candidates.