JOB TYPE: Non-Exempt, Full-Time
LOCATION: Remote
SUPERVISOR: Executive Director
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 24, 2025
START DATE: January 5, 2026
POSITION
The Development Director will help maintain Early Music America’s effectiveness, growth, and national standing in serving its members and others in the field. The Development Director will be responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Early Music America’s philanthropic relationships and will create an annual plan for achieving the organization’s fundraising goals. Fundraising activities currently include an annual fund campaign, major gifts program, foundation grants, and an emerging planned giving program with room for strategic expansion.
The Development Director will help Early Music America reach goals set in its Strategic Plan (2023-2028), including increasing its annual budget from $450,000 to $600,000 in order to expand existing scholarship and grant programs, recruit and retain staff with competitive salaries and benefits, and expand offerings at the annual EMA Summit.
ABOUT EARLY MUSIC AMERICA
Founded in 1985, Early Music America is the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the field of early music in the Americas. We support and serve early-music ensembles, musicians, dancers, amateurs, teachers, supporters, and others, with tools, training, peer networking, publications, and access, so that musicians and ensembles are better able to contribute to their communities. Early Music America has more than 1,500 members; a staff of five; and an annual budget of $450,000.
Early Music America is strongly committed to equity. The EMA Strategic Plan outlines steps to eliminate financial barriers to participating in EMA programs, elevate diverse members of our community through scholarships and awards, expand our reach into underserved areas, and become a collector and disseminator of data and best practices on equity in early music.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Fundraising and Donor Engagement
- Develop and implement a comprehensive, strategic fundraising plan with specific, measurable annual goals that will enable Early Music America to meet its current budget and achieve future growth;
- Oversee design and preparation of all fundraising materials, including letters, emails, and social media posts;
- Send acknowledgement letters, steward current donors, and coordinate the Executive Director’s communications with donors;
- Research and cultivate new individual, foundation, governmental, and institutional donors;
- Seek out large gifts and bequests from new and existing major donors;
- Manage the grant lifecycle process, including drafting applications, collaborating with staff, tracking deadlines, and fulfilling reporting requirements;
- Uphold the highest professional standards and ethics for fundraising and ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines.
Board of Directors
- Strategically leverage the time and connections of the Executive Director and EMA Board members to achieve fundraising goals;
- Assist the Development Committee chair in scheduling regular meetings and crafting meeting agendas;
- Participate in EMA Board of Directors meetings.
General
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Executive Director, contributing to organizational visioning, adaptive planning, and high-level decision-making aligned with EMA’s mission and growth;
- Participate in budgeting, strategic planning, and board development;
- Attend weekly staff meetings via Zoom;
- Manage the development budget;
- Oversee development components of the database (currently CiviCRM) and reporting;
- Alongside the Assistant Director, ensure timely and accurate data management and gift processing, including: tracking and developing donor prospect strategies through the database management system, reconciling donor gift records, and producing regular progress reports for the Executive Director and Board;
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 5+ years of fundraising and community-building experience preferred;
- A broad-based knowledge of best practices in philanthropy;
- A demonstrable track record of success in achieving fundraising goals and identifying and securing new sources of funding;
- Superior writing skills and excellent communication skills generally;
- Grant writing experience;
- Ability and willingness to travel to meet current and potential donors;
- Experience with CiviCRM or another industry-standard database;
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with a wide range of donors;
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and intellectually curious;
- Proven management and leadership capabilities;
- An independent work ethic and strong time management and organizational skills;
- A commitment to the mission, organizational values, and goals of Early Music America;
- A desire to contribute to a more equitable, inclusive, and just arts landscape;
- A passion for the performing arts; familiarity with the early-music field preferred.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Submit the following materials to davidmccormick@earlymusicamerica.org:
- Cover letter demonstrating interest and ability to perform the job responsibilities as outlined above;
- Resume demonstrating experience and education;
- Two writing samples solely authored by the applicant that are relevant to fundraising work.
Early Music America is a registered 501(c)3 not for profit organization and an equal opportunity employer. Diversity and inclusion are critical components of our mission, vision, and values. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law.
COMPENSATION
This is a full-time position with a yearly salary of $70,000. Benefits include a generous PTO policy; an allowance for computer, phone, and internet use; and a stipend for health insurance. The successful candidate must complete the majority of the work during regular business hours, but has the flexibility to work nights and weekends as needed..
