Development Manager

Dance Moves STL is seeking a relationship-oriented, organized fundraising professional to strengthen and grow our philanthropic support.

With approximately $200,000 in annual contributed revenue, an engaged Executive Director and Board, and a compelling youth development mission, Dance Moves STL has a strong foundation for growth. The Development Manager will lead the day-to-day fundraising program, deepen donor relationships, and build the practices and systems needed to sustain philanthropic support over time.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, creating opportunities, and making things happen in a collaborative, mission-driven organization., * Fundraising & Donor Development

• Develop and manage an annual fundraising plan, calendar, and goals in partnership with the Executive Director.

• Build and manage a pipeline of current and prospective donors, with clear cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. Strengthen donor retention and identify opportunities to acquire new donors and increase giving.

• Plan and execute annual appeals, giving campaigns, sponsorships, and other fundraising initiatives.
• Coordinate donor outreach, meetings, follow-up, acknowledgment, and stewardship.
• Identify priority relationships for Executive Director involvement and provide the preparation and follow-up needed to advance those relationships.

Corporate & Foundation Support

• Identify and cultivate prospective corporate and foundation partners.

• Manage grant, sponsorship, proposal, and reporting deadlines. Develop grant proposals, sponsorship requests, reports, and supporting materials in collaboration with the Executive Director.

• Steward existing institutional partners and identify opportunities to deepen their support.

Development Operations

• Maintain accurate donor and prospect records and develop an effective system for tracking relationships and next steps.
• Track fundraising performance, donor retention, pipeline activity, and revenue.
• Provide regular fundraising reports and insights to the Executive Director and Board.
• Ensure timely gift acknowledgments and donor follow-up.
• Establish practical, consistent fundraising processes that can support future growth.

Board & Organizational Collaboration

• Help Board members participate effectively in donor introductions, cultivation, and fundraising.
• Support Board fundraising efforts with necessary information, tools, and follow-up.
• Collaborate with the Communications Specialist on donor communications, impact stories, campaigns, and a coordinated annual engagement calendar.
• Work with staff to identify stories, outcomes, and program information that demonstrate the impact of donor support.

First-Year Priorities

A successful first year will result in:

• A focused fundraising plan that is being consistently implemented.

• A stronger, actively managed donor and prospect pipeline. More consistent donor cultivation and stewardship.

• Increased opportunities for individual, corporate, and foundation support.
• Effective fundraising campaigns and sponsorship efforts.
• Reliable donor data, reporting, and follow-up systems.
• Greater Board engagement in relationship building and fundraising.
• More of the Executive Director’s time focused on priority donor, funder, and community relationships rather than fundraising administration.

Looking Ahead

Dance Moves STL currently generates approximately $300,000 annually in contributed revenue and aspires to build a broader, more sustainable philanthropic base capable of generating $500,000+ annually within five years. Achieving that growth will be a shared organizational effort. The Development Manager will play an important role in building the relationships, practices, and fundraising capacity that make sustainable growth possible.

Ideal candidates will bring:

• 2-4+ years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, sales, community engagement, or a related field. Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.

• Experience with individual giving, donor cultivation, grants, sponsorships, or fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills and the ability to work independently.
• Confidence initiating conversations and developing relationships with donors, prospects, and community partners.
• Familiarity with donor databases, CRM systems, or fundraising platforms.
• A collaborative working style and enthusiasm for Dance Moves STL’s mission.
• We recognize that strong candidates may bring different combinations of experience. If this opportunity excites you and you believe you can contribute to Dance Moves STL’s fundraising growth, we encourage you to apply.