What are the responsibilities and job description for the Major Gifts Officer position at The Dallas Opera?
The Dallas Opera is a world-class performing arts organization producing outstanding mainstage and chamber opera repertoire, attracting national and international notice, committed to extensive community outreach and education, and managed to the highest standards of artistic excellence, accountability, efficiency and financial sustainability.
Between 2021-2024, TDO executed a successful $25M campaign to raise new gifts and increase annual giving. When the campaign ended in June 2024, TDO’s annual fund reached $8M and is poised for growth. The Major Gifts Officer plays an instrumental role supporting further growth of TDO’s annual fund.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer supports the success of the $14M annual fund, raising gifts of $25,000 - $100,000 from individuals, private foundations and corporations.
The Major Gifts Officer is expected to fundraise from a portfolio of existing donors and new business leads generated by staff and volunteers. Specific duties include :
- Cultivate, solicit and steward new and existing donors for annual fund gifts
- Develop and lead major gifts strategy during TDO’s season, harnessing donor events and other sponsorship opportunities to drive revenue results.
- Friends, Inner Circle, Crescendo and Orpheus Legacy Society Member Events - Salons, Insights, Backstage tours, Dress Rehearsals, Cast Parties, production sponsor and cast receptions, and performance day Inner Circle Lounge and Crescendo mixers; special OLS dinners and receptions (season), and others
- Signature Events – Opening Night (fall) and OnStage Dinner (spring)
- Artistic Development Related Events – Vocal Competition Judges Luncheon and post-concert reception (spring); Women Conductors panel discussion and luncheon (fall and winter); post-Showcase Concert reception (winter); Titus Recital post-concert reception and dinner (winter)
- Production and Event Sponsorships
- Opportunistic Events – specific recent examples include planning an onstage experience and catered dinner for a major donor, Pride pre-opera community reception
- Work with the board Development Committee to develop leads and pursue introductions to start donor conversations
- Manage personal donor portfolio – moves management, goals and closing gifts and new memberships as applicable
- Provide updates to database concerning financial forecast, donor interactions and research notes
- Work nights and weekends during performance season and for other TDO events
- Seek to diversify TDO’s donor base and intentionally work to ensure fundraising efforts progress The Dallas Opera’s commitment to equity and belonging
- Other duties as requested
Candidate Skills, Knowledge, and Characteristics
Salary : $8 - $14