Literary Programs Year-Round / November 16-17 Festival

Development Associate

2021 TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Please note that the below description encompasses a safe in-person Festival and development events, as well as virtual programming. The Texas Book Festival will continue to follow safety guidelines, and only return to in-person programming when it is safe to do so.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Development Associate position with the Texas Book Festival is responsible for executing fundraising-related duties that raise funds for the organization and support the organization’s mission, programs, and strategic plans, with guidance and supervision from the Executive Director. The Development Associate position also manages financial information for the organization.

All TBF staff members help with planning work, event support, and communication strategies for the annual Texas Book Festival, the Texas Teen Book Festival, Reading Rock Stars, Real Reads and other literary events in Austin and around Texas throughout the year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Development

  • Work with Executive Director to set fundraising and engagement goals for the year, plan development and cultivation events, and steward donors.
  • Assist with systematic research of prospective donors and execute specific action plans to engage them and grow the donor base, leveraging donor management systems and other data tools to maximize donor giving
  • Maintain organization database, tracking fundraising and engagement goals, updating and cleaning data, and staying current with database functionality
  • Pursue designated list of prospective individual and corporate donors and meet annual new donor revenue goals
  • Steward designated list of current individual and corporate donors and meet current donor revenue goals
  • Write and submit recurring and new grants as assigned, including letters of intent and final report, with guidance from the Deputy Director.
  • Manage annual spring mailing and end-of-year mailing campaigns, including copywriting, collateral design planning, list management and mailing details
  • Assist in coordinating donor cultivation special events and activities 

Gala and Other Major Fundraising Events

  • Work with TBF leadership, Gala chairs, and Gala committee to meet fundraising and experience goals
  • Oversee guest registration information, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all event attendees in database and at event
  • Serve as primary point of contact with hotel venue staff for catering, A/V, valet, and anything else related to event. 
  • Serve as primary contact for virtual production company
  • Manage silent auction donations and packages, ensuring data is entered correctly into donor database, descriptions are written to sell, and mobile bidding is set up and functions properly in advance of and during event 
  • Draft and design pre- and post-Gala email communication 
  • Coordinate Gala volunteer and staff support including Junior League volunteers, Gala committee, and TBF staff and interns

Financial and Administrative

  • Track budgets for various expense and project categories, as requested by TBF leadership 
  • Produce reports for TBF leadership and Board of Directors as needed
  • Provide Executive Director with development and administrative support, including scheduling meetings, correspondence, board meeting preparation and communication, minute taking, and projects as requested

Communications and Marketing

  • Draft development pieces aligned with TBF brand that raise awareness and make the case for funding
  • Draft donor communications and correspondence (annual letters, Amplify Austin, thank you letters, stewardship updates, etc.), with an eye toward creative, digital forms of connecting with donors in an ongoing, donor-centered manner
  • Assist with copyediting and proofing  

Leadership and Management

  • Represent organization at cultural and philanthropic events in Austin and throughout Texas 
  • Serve as project manager for other TBF staff supporting development events
  • Manage development and administrative interns, managing their schedules, tasks, and recommendations
  • Support development and strategic plan improvements, working with ED and staff to plan, track, and measure progress. 

EXPECTATIONS

  • Actively participate in and contribute to organization’s long-term strategic goals and success
  • Actively contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful work environment. Support TBF team members when they need help
  • Embrace the all-in commitment required to make the annual Festival a success and understand that evening and weekend work will be expected in the weeks leading up to the Festival and for some outreach and special events. Flexible hours and generous time off in the off-season are provided in recognition of extra work time needed for the Festival.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Two years of experience in development work identifying, soliciting, and stewarding corporate, foundation, and individual funders. 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trust and engagement with prospective and current donors 
  • Two years of event-planning experience 
  • Excellent communications skills (oral, written, and presentation)
  • Experience with coordinating and tracking development budget 
  • Experience with fundraising database management and reporting
  • Strong technological aptitude. Familiarity with and flexibility across platforms and operating systems expected.  
  • Ability to think creatively to problem solve and promote the Texas Book Festival
  • Dedication and enthusiasm for fulfilling the Texas Book Festival mission
  • Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed
  • Some travel required

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Gavin Quinn at gavin@texasbookfestival.org with “Development Associate – [Your Name]” in the subject line. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.