Development Associate

Key Areas of Responsibility: 

General 

• Serve as an ambassador for the advancement department, acting as a primary point of contact for donors, alumni, parents, and internal colleagues.  

• Provide comprehensive administrative support, including scheduling, meeting facilitation, and cross-departmental collaboration. 

• Assist with donor solicitations and prepare timely, confidential, and donor-centric communications. 

• Track and reconcile departmental budgets, process reimbursements, and maintain accurate financial records.
• Other duties as assigned.

Fundraising Systems and Data

• Data entry for Curtis’ database of record, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, including contact information, meeting reports, event tracking, and key performance indicators (approx. 70,000 records). 

• Support the annual giving team on direct response campaigns and other mailings. 

• Facilitate data pulls for regular and electronic mailings and manage donor recognition listings for print and online publications. 

• Other duties as assigned.

Gift Administration

• Working with the Director of Advancement Operations to manage the gift administration workflow, including processing gifts, maintaining and reconciling database entries, and generating timely and accurate gift receipts. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Curtis welcomes applications from people with a wide variety of experience and backgrounds, who are eager to work hard, learn, and contribute.

Education/Experience: 

• 1-3 years of experience as an administrator or intern. Preference given for experience in a nonprofit fundraising organization or project management role. 

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.  

• Knowledge and skill working with databases and Microsoft Office products, particularly Microsoft Excel and mail merges. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

The ideal candidate must exhibit:

• A positive, “can-do” attitude.
• Devotion and dedication to Curtis, its students, alumni, and parents.
• Passion for their work, and contribution to the field of classical music and greater good.
• Commitment and accountability for their work, and their ability to effect change.
• Desire and willingness to collaborate, think creatively, and make data-driven decisions.
• Respect, courtesy, and patience for colleagues, other staff, faculty, patrons, core constituents, and volunteers.
• An eagerness to make Curtis a more diverse and inclusive institution.

• Exertional requirements are consistent with routine office environment.
• This is an onsite position in Philadelphia, PA.
• Hybrid work schedule is available with three days on campus and two days remote. Some nights and weekends required for performances and fundraising events.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire.
• The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a background check and obtain PA Act 153 clearances.

• Gross annual salary for this position is $55,000 – 60,000, commensurate with experience.
• The Curtis Institute of Music offers a number of perks for full-time staff including free meals on campus during the academic year, a wellness stipend, and mass transit support with employer-sponsored, all-access SEPTA Key Advantage program enrollment.
• This position is benefits eligible. Curtis offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees including health, dental, and vision insurance, basic term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, supplemental insurance options, and paid parental leave.
• 401k plan participation begins after 1 year of eligible service consistent with the plan requirements.