Development Specialist, Membership and Individual Giving

The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as well as many opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Job Description:

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC is seeking our next Development Specialist, Membership and Individual giving to join our collaborate Development team. This role, reporting to the Director of Development Operations, will be responsible for growing and retaining a portfolio of small, and mid-level donors through targeted stewardship and cultivation activities as well as managing a variety of stewardship, cultivation, and acquisition activities for the small but growing individual giving team.  

The standard schedule for this role is Monday-Friday, 8:45am-4:45pm, which is a 35-hour workweek. Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required for special programs. This position is currently hybrid with ~3 days on-site per week. The selected candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C. office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date. 

Health & safety: The health and well-being of all staff, contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no longer requires masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices are respected. Folger offers organization-funded healthcare plans for full-time staff and extensive leave options to all staff in case of any health issues that arise. As we wrap up construction and move to work more consistently on-site this summer, Folger will continue to review and update policies, in conversation with our staff.  

Compensation:   

• This is a weekly-paid hourly position, with an hourly rate of $30.71-32.97 for a 35-hour week (annual range estimates $55,892.20- 60,005.40). Overtime pay is available for this role.  
• Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including a generous 403(b) contribution and match, outlined at https://www.folger.edu/about-us/careers-and-volunteering/#employee-benefits.

Duties:     

• Increases donor retention rates through stewarding and cultivating a portfolio of mid-level donors capable of making gifts from $500 to $5,000 a year using email, mail, phone calls, events, and meetings. 
• Plans, implements, and executes fundraising strategy for the Friends of Folger (annual donors of $75 to $1,499) to acquire, renew, maintain, upgrade and steward gifts.  Creates, implements, and executes small gifts campaigns to expand the Folger’s annual donor and mid-level prospect pipeline; increase contributed income through targeted appeals and acquisitions asks via social media, institutional emails, and one-on-one conversations. 
• Plans and executes annual appeals to individuals, including year-end and fiscal year-end mailings, annual Readers’ Campaign, Education, and other appeals as appropriate.   
• Liaises with Marketing & Communications department, and other internal stakeholders, to produce new member acquisition mailings, WordFly email appeals, lapsed member mailings, membership asks in subscription brochures, Folger Magazine, social media posts, and other appropriate appeals. 
• Reframe and execute a new membership model for Folger tied to the reopening in 2024 working closely with the Director of Development and Marketing in this effort.  
• Creates, updates, and approves all annual giving and membership materials, including brochures, reply forms, website and email footer information. 
• Assists in stewardship of the Folger’s Renaissance Circles – donors $1,500 - $10,000, Theatre Sponsors, and Consort Sponsors. 
• Plans and executes Friends of the Folger benefit events, assist in developing lists, work with marketing to design invitations; identifies innovative programming opportunities and coordinate with speakers, guest entertainment and staff. 
• Coordinates on the tracking of donor attendance at benefit events; logs donor communications as needed; runs reports to provide analysis for monthly, annual and long-term fundraising and retention goals; develops criteria for mailing lists, and coordinates Development staff review of materials. 
• Provides strategic support to the Folger’s Annual Gala.  Support and assist in the coordination of the Gala Committee.  Assist Special Assistant, Director of Operations, and Director of Development with the coordination of the Gala Program, invitation, and other event printed and digital collateral.  Works closely with the Development Coordinator or Specialist, Major and Planned Giving in the preparation of biographies of attendees in advance of Gala.   
• Writes membership correspondence including refreshing acknowledgements and solicitations monthly. 
• Supports various donor events including Acquisitions Night, the annual Folger Gala, the Renaissance Circles Dinner, Member Appreciation Weekend, and opening nights. 

Education and Experience:   

•  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Master’s degree preferred.   
• A minimum of three years’ experience in development, preferably at a cultural or higher education institution.  
• Must have experience in and knowledge of annual and membership programs, membership event management, donor communications, donor or customer relations, and special events. 
• Prior experience with donor databases required; Experience with Tessitura is strongly preferred. 

Skills and Knowledge:      

• Outstanding writing and editing skills. 
• Must possess excellent organizational and time management skills to manage multiple activities in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment. 
• A willingness to engage with donors at all levels to engage donors in the development process.   
• Knowledge of Tessitura, Wordfly, and InDesign is desired.   
• Possesses curiosity and an independent spirit to boldly develop relationships that will lead to major gifts for Folger.   
• Ability to handle highly confidential constituent information.   

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:   

This job operates in a professional office environment. The employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment such as florescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling fans, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures, and office noise. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.      

• Normal work week is Monday-Friday, 8:45 am to 4:45 pm. Ability to work varying and additional hours as project demands arise (including evenings and weekends as necessary).           
• Ability to work at a computer for an extended period of time, with accuracy.      
• Willingness and capacity to work in an office environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as is necessary, to perform various responsibilities.      
• Capacity to communicate, in person, or using video, phone, or electronic communication methods, in a manner which can be understood. 

Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls please.

The Folger is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To learn more about our benefits, please click here.