Development Associate

PURPOSE:  The Development Associate provides vital administrative, operational, and fundraising support to enhance Hawai‘i Opera Theatre's development initiatives. The position supports foundation and grant activities, fundraising campaigns and events, donor stewardship, gift processing, and development operations, ensuring accurate information, timely follow-up, and smooth execution of fundraising initiatives.

EDUCATION:  High School Diploma or equivalent

EXPERIENCE: Minimum one (1) year of experience in development or financial services

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to handle multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and external partners. Strong data entry and database management skills, with a high level of accuracy and ability to maintain accurate records and handle confidential donor and financial information with discretion. Ability to oversee deadlines and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision. Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs. Availability for evening and weekend events. Ability to lift up to 45 pounds and perform duties safely.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Previous experience in nonprofit development; familiarity with basic fundraising principles, terminology, and development processes.Experience working with a donor database or customer relationship management (CRM) system, such as Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or a similar platform.Experience supporting grant proposals and grant reports.Familiarity with fundraising campaigns, including solicitation lists, direct mail, donor follow-up, and committee coordination.Experience working with donors, volunteers, board members, committees, or other community stakeholders.

‍ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grants
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‍Handle grant submissions, including gathering supporting materials, tracking deadlines, and ensuring timely submission of applications.Assist with final grant reports and ensure required documentation is completed and submitted on schedule.

Fundraising Events & Opera Ball

‍Prepare and maintain invitation and solicitation lists for fundraising events. Track and follow up on outstanding payments, ensuring payments are received and accurately recorded. Assist with event financial reconciliation, ensuring revenue and expenses are accurately tracked and recorded. Coordinate Opera Ball silent auction logistics, including maintaining solicitation lists, committee support, item tracking, donor information and input into HandBid (auction software).

‍Fundraising Campaign Management

‍Prepare and maintain solicitation lists for fundraising campaigns. Coordinate campaign mailers, including solicitation list preparation, mail merges, printing, and distribution.Track campaign solicitations and assign follow-up responsibilities to appropriate development staff.

‍Donation Processing & Finance

‍Process and accurately code checks and other donations. Enter gifts and related donor information into the development database in a timely and accurate manner. Prepare and distribute donor acknowledgment letters and other gift acknowledgments.Assist with monthly reconciliation of development records and financial information.

‍ACT II Resale Shop

‍Provide weekly operational support for the ACT II Resale Shop.Process and coordinate donor acknowledgments related to ACT II contributions and donations. In collaboration with the Events Manager, provide support for ACT II events and fundraising activities.

‍General Fundraising

‍Assist with donor portfolio management, including maintaining accurate donor assignments, contact information, and activity records.Manage and track donor pledges, including recording commitments, monitoring payments, and maintaining accurate pledge records. Coordinate scheduling for donor meetings and other donor engagement activities. Coordinate donor recognition listings for production programs, ensuring donor names and giving levels are accurate and submitted by publication deadlines.

‍Other Development Support

‍Complete and maintain business registrations and related administrative requirements. Provide general administrative and operational support to the Development Department as needed. Assist with special projects and other fundraising initiatives as assigned. 


If interested, please submit your resume to Regi Lammers, Director of Development at r_lammers@hawaiiopera.org