Development Operations Associate

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.

About the Position:
The Development Operations Associate is a part-time (20 hours per week) starting in January 2026 at Porchlight Music Theatre. This hybrid role reports to the Development Director and serves as an operational hub for the department, focusing on fundraising logistics and data integrity.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising & Development Support

-Support Development Director in executing and evaluating annual fundraising plans
-Collaborate with Development leadership to manage the logistics of development mailings (email and snail mail) to strategically segmented lists
-Support the planning and execution of major annual fundraising events
-Support Development leadership and committee as requested

Database Management, Reporting & Operations

-Generate reports that track progress toward development goals, assisting the Development Director in analyzing current donor activity to project future trends
-Track and maintain accurate donor listings for all show/event programs and the website
-Reconcile department income and expenses monthly with the Finance department
-Maintain the donor database to ensure records are current, conducting regular clean-up and data entry
Coordinate the implementation, execution and reconciliation of online fundraising campaigns via Classy

Qualifications & Requirements

-1-2 years of experience in nonprofit development
-CRM: Proficiency in donor databases (e.g., Salesforce, PatronManager (preferred), Raiser’s Edge, Tessitura). Must be comfortable entering data, running simple queries, and maintaining data hygiene
-Digital Fundraising: Experience with online fundraising platforms, such as Classy, GiveButter, BetterWorld etc.
-Data Analysis: Intermediate Excel skills to track campaign performance
-Project Management: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
-Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills
-Mission Alignment: The ability to serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for Porchlight’s mission, productions, and educational programs
-Background in arts administration or at performing arts organizations is preferred but not required