The Appalachian Theatre
Development Officer
Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, a non-profit, 501c3 organization
Position Status: Full-time, Exempt
Schedule: 40 hours/week with occasional weekends, evenings & holidays
Compensation: $40,000 - $48,000
Benefits: Includes health insurance, pd vacation and retirement match
Reports to: Executive Director
The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, a non-profit, independent, historic theatre venue, is seeking a candidate to join our team who has a passion for advancing the performing arts and embracing the Appalachian Theatre’s mission and values.
Located in downtown Boone, NC, the Appalachian Theatre offers a team-based work environment and a full package of benefits for full-time staff including options for health insurance, supplemental insurance, paid vacation time, and a Simple IRA plan.
Under the direction of the Appalachian Theatre’s Executive Director, the Development Officer leads the implementation of fundraising strategies to support the organization’s mission and financial goals. This role is responsible for managing and maintaining the donor database, supporting the planning and execution of donor cultivation and stewardship activities, and responding to donor and sponsor inquiries. The Development Officer works collaboratively with the Executive Director to build meaningful relationships with donors, strengthen engagement, and advance a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
Essential Functions:
• Manage and maintain the organization’s donor database, ensuring accurate records, gift tracking, and reporting
• Assist in the development and execution of annual fundraising plans and campaigns
• Coordinate donor cultivation, stewardship, and recognition efforts
• Support planning and implementation of donor events, receptions, and special fundraising initiatives
• Prepare donor correspondence, including acknowledgments, appeals, and impact communications
• Respond to donor, sponsor, and community inquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Conduct prospect research to identify and evaluate potential donors and sponsors
• Assist with grant research, writing, editing and reporting as needed
• Track and report on fundraising progress, providing regular updates to leadership
• Collaborate with marketing and programming staff to align fundraising efforts with organizational initiatives
• Support sponsorship outreach and fulfillment, ensuring strong partner relationships
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical fundraising standards
Secondary Duties:
• Contributes to overall team effort in planning and development of events; shares in the decision-making process, implements and promotes final organizational decisions with a spirit of cooperation.
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):
• 2-5 years experience in development and fundraising.
• Prior experience with fundraising CRMs and/or ticketing software (ETIX).
• Able to engage with a wide range of people, build rapport and exhibit courtesy, tact, and professionalism.
• Detail oriented. Enjoys and strives for accuracy.
• Able to work independently and as a member of a team, multitask and adapt to changes in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel.)
• Able to work flexible hours including nights and weekends.
• Able to communicate effectively in English, verbal and written.
• Able to learn and master new technical systems.
Education and Work Experience:
• Bachelor's degree or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in non-profit music, theatre or another performing arts environment.
• Event planning experience, a plus.
• Master’s degree
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle access preferred
Application Procedure:
Submit the following via email to careers@apptheatre.org. No phone calls or visits, please.
• A self-authored cover letter outlining why you are the best candidate for this role addressed by
your experience, passions and strengths
• Your resume or CV
• Include in your Email introduction a confirmation that you are currently a full-time high country
resident or have access to full-time housing in the area.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position and use the telephone. The employee is frequently required to traverse the department; reach and communicate effectively. The employee is frequently required to operate office equipment, such as a computer, telephone, and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occurs within a shared office space.
Special Conditions of Employment:
• The nature of this job requires the employee to work on-site as a regular work routine.