GRANT WRITER AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Position Description:
Chicago Opera Theater (COT) seeks a highly detail-oriented Grant Writer and Development Manager to join the company.
As the Grant Writer and Development Manager of Chicago Opera Theater (COT) reporting to the Associate Director of Advancement, you will play a pivotal role in securing and managing grants to support performances, artist training initiatives, educational programs and community engagement. You will be responsible for identifying grant opportunities, developing proposals, and coordinating the grant application and reporting process. 50% of the position’s workload.
Additionally, you will lead the development team’s use of COT’s CRM, Spektrix, as the staff person responsible for the accurate entry of grants and gifts, creation of acknowledgment letters and tax receipts, and generating and analyzing development reports. 35% of the position’s workload.
As a crucial member of the Development team, this position also supports the overall team goals and initiatives, including Board and Committee management, all fundraising activity including campaigns and fundraising and donor benefits special events. 15% of the workload.
The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the performing arts landscape, possess excellent written and oral communication skills, and have a proven track record of successfully securing grants.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Grant Identification and Research: Conduct research to identify potential grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other funding sources relevant to our programs and mission. Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and changes in the grant landscape to identify new funding opportunities.
• Proposal Development and Grant Writing: Collaborate with leadership staff to develop compelling grant proposals that align with COT’s strategic goals and funding priorities. Prepare and submit grant applications, ensuring adherence to all guidelines and deadlines.
• Grant Reporting and Compliance: Oversee the grant reporting process including tracking progress in Asana and COT’s CRM, compile data, and prepare accurate and timely reports for funders. This role will also ensure compliance with grant requirements.
• Budgeting: Collaborate with leadership staff to develop grant budgets, monitor expenditures, and provide financial reports as needed.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all grant-related activities, including deadlines, applications, reports, and communications.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with funders, including regular communication, acknowledgments, and updates on grant activities.
• Board Management: Manage board activities and meetings, including scheduling and implementing committee/board meetings, taking meeting minutes, and corresponding with committee members including those related to COT’s Development activities.
• CRM: Maximize the use of COT’s CRM by accurately entering gifts and grants, preparing acknowledgment letters and tax receipts, and generating and analyzing Development reports.
• Fundraising Appeals: Partner with Associate Director of Advancement and Individual Giving Officer to design and implement mail and email fundraising appeals principally to define and create donor and prospect mailing lists, coordinating with print/mail house, and collaborating with the Development team in developing narratives.
• Event Support: Act as key support staff for all development events, including annual gala and donor room events at performances.
• Other related duties as assigned.
This position is a good fit for someone who has:
• Exceptional understanding and command of CRM platforms
• Working knowledge of data and reporting
• Knowledge of and passion for opera, theater, or the performing arts in general
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• A basic understanding of budgeting and financial reporting to develop grant budgets and track expenditures
• The ability to multitask in order to meet deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and authentic inclusion
Chicago Opera Theater will provide the following learning opportunities:
• Tutorials and current use of COT’s CRM, Spektrix
• Industry specific fundraising skills and existing procedures related to the donor giving cycle - identification, research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Policies and procedures specific to COT
About Chicago Opera Theater
Chicago Opera Theater (COT) serves Chicago through unique, relevant, and innovative opera experiences that reflect the aspirations of our city — dynamic, inclusive, and forward-thinking — fostering inspiration, dialogue and belonging. COT’s mission is to enrich the lives of those who live, work and play in Chicago by bringing rarely produced and contemporary operas to life, supporting gifted emerging artists, and providing hands-on experiences with opera that entertain, empower creativity, and cultivate a lasting and meaningful connection to the arts.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range is $$56,000 - $62,000 annually plus health, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation, holidays, sick and personal days; paid family leave; life insurance; flexible & hybrid work options; 403(b) plan; complimentary tickets; and other benefits. Relocation assistance available for out-of-town candidates. Salary is commensurate with experience. Position is full-time salaried, exempt.
To Apply
Please let us know how you heard about this opportunity along with submitting a resume and cover letter to developmentmanager@cot.org.
