Development Manager

Porchlight Music Theatre is the award-winning center for music theatre in Chicago. Dedicated to setting the stage for the future of the American musical, Porchlight celebrates the past, present, and future of this unique art form through live performance, youth education, and community outreach. As a leader in the Chicago arts community, we are committed to looking at the musical theatre canon through a modern lens, offering intimate and powerful theatrical experiences that inspire and connect our audiences.

The Development Manager is a critical position responsible for the financial sustainability of Porchlight Music Theatre, overseeing the Annual Fund strategy and serving as the key operational hub for the entire development department, including managing two direct reports. The role involves substantial direct fundraising, including managing a personal portfolio of 50-75 mid-level donors using a "Moves Management" approach. Key duties include leading annual giving campaigns, collaborating on institutional grant submissions, and serving as the staff liaison for the Porchlight Young Professionals Associate Board.

Additionally, the Manager provides planning and logistical support for major fundraising events, while maintaining strong data integrity for all financial reporting.

• Support the Director of Development in creating, executing, and evaluating annual fundraising plans to meet revenue goals.
• Lead and implement strategy for the Theatre's annual fund, including segmentation, messaging, and upgrade pathways
• Develop robust and innovative targeted strategies for donor acquisition, retention, and re-engagement, including LYBUNT and SYBUNT initiatives
• Partner with the Development Operations Associate to execute appeals and campaigns while maintaining ownership of strategy and outcomes
• Analyze campaign performance and adjust strategies to maximize participation, retention and revenue growth
• Write, develop, and manage compelling annual giving direct mail solicitation campaigns in collaboration with the Director of Development, Development Operations Associate, and Executive Leadership

• Manage a portfolio of 50-75 mid-level donors, actively moving them through the donor pipeline using a "Moves Management" approach (Qualify / Cultivate / Solicit / Steward).
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies tailored to each donor
• Conduct regular donor outreach, including in-person meetings, calls, and written communications
• Solicit annual gifts and upgrades to increase donor retention and overall revenue
• Maintain consistent, thoughtful engagement with donors to strengthen long-term relationships and increase lifetime value
• Identify and qualify donors with capacity and inclination for major giving
• Partner with the Director of Development to move donors through the donor pipeline into major gift portfolios
• Track donor movement and progression across giving levels to ensure a strong and active pipeline
• Proactively identify opportunities to deepen engagement and increase giving across the portfolio

• In collaboration with the Director of Development, engage in the creation of annual institutional giving strategy and relationship management each fiscal year
• Manage a portfolio of select institutional giving prospects and current funders, deepening relationships between funders and Porchlight Music Theatre
• Oversee the outsourced grant writer(s) in writing and submitting select letters of inquiry, applications, and reports by established deadlines.
• Write specific proposals and reports for select funders
• Ensure up-to-date grant calendar, case for support and other key data.
• Initiate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with existing and prospective funders/sponsors.

• Support the planning, execution, and logistical management of major annual fundraising events (e.g., Gala, Chicago Sings) to ensure exceptional donor experiences and goal achievement, collaborating with departments, vendors, venues, and volunteers.
• Support the Development team and Board committees as requested to ensure smooth departmental operations.
• Act as the staff liaison for the Porchlight Young Professionals (PYP) Associate Board; work closely with the PYP Executive Committee to organize meetings, drive recruitment, support fundraising efforts and PYP…