Development & Communications Manager

Development & Communications Manager

Reports to: Executive Director
Position Type: Full-time, hybrid
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Salary: $60,000-$66,0000 annually

Dance Moves STL seeks a relationship-oriented, creative professional to lead day-to-day fundraising and communications. This person will build donor relationships, coordinate campaigns and grants, and tell the stories that help schools, families, donors, and community partners understand the impact of our work. The role combines strategy with hands-on execution in a small, collaborative organization.

Dance Moves STL is a nonprofit youth development and arts education organization. Our mission is to cultivate essential life skills in children through the joyful art and practice of social dance. Our school-based programs help young people develop confidence, cooperation, empathy, respect, cultural awareness, and meaningful connections with their peers.

• Develop and manage an annual fundraising plan, goals, and calendar with the Executive Director.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of individual, corporate, and foundation supporters; coordinate cultivation, requests, acknowledgments, and stewardship.
• Plan and execute appeals, giving campaigns, sponsorship efforts, and donor communications, including materials for fundraising events.
• Identify grant and sponsorship opportunities; write proposals and reports, manage deadlines, and steward existing partners.
• Prepare the Executive Director and Board members for priority donor conversations and follow up on next steps.
• Maintain accurate donor records; track revenue, retention, pipeline activity, and campaign results; provide concise reports to the Executive Director and Board.

• Manage a coordinated content calendar across fundraising, school programs, events, and organizational news.
• Write and produce the monthly Creating Connections email newsletter; create social media content, graphics, photography, and short-form video.
• Gather student and teacher stories, testimonials, photos, and program outcomes and turn them into clear, engaging content for donors and the community.
• Keep website content current and create print and digital materials for school outreach, campaigns, sponsor ships, and events.
• Promote student performances, fundraising events, and the Colors of the Rainbow Team Match Championship; prepare invitations, programs, signage, and presentations.
• Maintain a consistent organizational voice and visual identity; develop press materials and media pitches as opportunities arise; monitor engagement and adjust content accordingly.

• Work closely with the Executive Director and program staff to connect program activity and outcomes with fundraising and communications.
• Attend select school programs and occasional evening or weekend events to gather content and support promotion and donor engagement.
• Build practical processes and templates that keep deadlines, contacts, content, and follow-up organized.

• A focused fundraising and communications calendar is in use, with reliable donor data and timely follow-up.
• Donor cultivation, grants, sponsor ships, and campaigns are moving forward consistently, with clear roles for the Executive Director and Board.
• The monthly newsletter and regular social, web, and event communications share compelling program stories and support fundraising priorities.
• A growing library of approved stories, images, outcomes, and materials makes it easier to communicate Dance Moves STL’s impact.

• 2–4+ years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, sales, community engagement, or a…