Development Manager (Individual Giving) 

Position: Full-Time, In-Office
Compensation: $50,000–$65,000 (plus health insurance, flexible PTO, Downtown Parking Pass)
Start Date: May 2026
Experience Required: 3–5 years
To Apply:
Send a resume and cover letter to Simone@folkways.org.

Folkways Overview:

The Development Manager (Individual Giving) at Folkways plays a vital role in connecting individual supporters to the mission that drives the organization. This individual will develop a deep understanding of Folkways’ programs and communicate their impact with clarity and passion. By effectively conveying how Folkways’ work strengthens communities and preserves cultural expression, the Development Manager builds meaningful relationships with donors and inspires philanthropic support that sustains and grows the organization’s mission.

Folkways mission is to create experiences where you belong. Folkways envisions our community with the highest level of community participation and the lowest rates of suicide, loneliness, and isolation in the nation. Our programs include Red River Market, Night Bazaar, Christkindlmarkt, Sunset on the Riverfront, CampusFM, and public art projects. These programs nest initiatives that play a key role in reducing isolation and loneliness in the community. Our key impact areas are Combatting Isolation and Loneliness, Intergenerational Experiences, Workforce Retention and Recruitment, Access to Arts, Small Business, and Food Access

Core Values

  • Community Ownership: We believe in the power of collective stewardship, where everyone plays a role in creating the community where they want to live.

  • Creative Activation: We spark imaginations and ignite passions, transforming dreams into vivid realities.

  • Radical Inclusivity: We go beyond accepting differences and work together to create a society where everyone can contribute.

  • Whimsical Intentionality: We blend play with purpose, crafting experiences that delight and inspire people of all ages.

Position Overview:

The Development Manager (Individual Giving) is responsible for growing and stewarding Folkways’ individual donor community and philanthropic revenue. Working closely with the Director of Communications and Development, a peer Development Manager focused on corporate sponsorships, and the marketing team, this role leads relationship-based fundraising efforts with individual supporters across Folkways’ programs, events, and initiatives. This position works directly with a virtual administrative assistant to execute repeatable digital tasks, allowing the role to focus on donor engagement and relationship building.

This is a highly relational, externally facing position that balances revenue growth with long-term donor stewardship. The Development Manager will manage a portfolio of active donors and prospects, cultivate and solicit new individual gifts, and ensure donors feel meaningfully connected to the impact of Folkways’ work through thoughtful communication and engagement opportunities.

This role reports directly to the Communications & Development Director.

What Success Looks Like After 12 Months

  • Individual giving revenue has grown year-over-year.

  • Donor retention is strong, with clear evidence of meaningful stewardship and engagement.

  • New individual donors have been cultivated and added to the portfolio, with a growing pipeline of mid-level and major gift prospects.

  • Key donor events and campaigns are executed on time, on budget, and on brand.

  • Donor records, outreach tracking, and fundraising systems are accurate, organized, and consistently maintained.

  • Internal teams experience this role as collaborative, communicative, and dependable in supporting donor engagement and fundraising efforts.

Key Responsibilities

Individual Giving Strategy

  • Develop and implement strategies to grow individual donor revenue, including annual giving, mid-level donors, and emerging major donors.

  • Manage and expand the annual fund, including appeals, donor communications, and stewardship.

  • Identify, qualify, cultivate, and steward donors capable of giving $1,000–$25,000+ annually.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

  • Build and maintain relationships with a portfolio of individual donors and prospects.

  • Coordinate personalized stewardship plans, including recognition, impact reporting, and engagement opportunities.

  • Support leadership in major donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.

Campaigns & Appeals

  • Assist in planning and executing annual giving campaigns and digital appeals.

  • Collaborate with communications and marketing teams on donor messaging and storytelling.

  • Manage fundraising initiatives such as Giving Hearts Day and year-end campaigns.

Events & Engagement

  • Coordinate donor engagement events, giving circles, and cultivation gatherings.

  • Work with program teams to create opportunities for donors to connect with Folkways’ work.

  • Work with hourly staff and volunteers for training and staffing outreach events and engagement booths.

Data & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate donor records in Donor Dock.

  • Track fundraising performance and provide regular reports on donor growth, retention, and revenue.

  • Analyze donor data to identify opportunities for increased engagement and giving.

Qualifications & Skills

  • Required

    • 3–5 years of nonprofit fundraising or development experience

    • Demonstrated success with individual donor cultivation and solicitation
      Strong relationship-building and communication skills

    • Experience with CRM systems and donor database management

    • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines

    Preferred

    • Experience with annual fund or mid-level donor programs

    • Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising

    • Experience planning donor events and campaigns

    • Familiarity with platforms like Airtable, Donordock, or similar donor databases

Work Environment & Expectations

  • This is a public-facing role that requires regular community engagement

  • Some evenings and weekends are required around major events

  • Work is collaborative, relationship-driven, and rooted in Folkways’ community-centered mission

Total Value Compensation & Benefits

Category‍ ‍Details

Annual Salary $50,000-65,000 *based on relevant experience 

Folkways Contribution to Employee Social Security Included

Health Insurance 100% coverage Estimated $500month ($6,000 annually)

Parking Estimated $500month ($6,000 annually)

Paid Time Off Flexible / no set limit, with role-specific blackout dates
‍ ‍with planning and communication with your manager

Holiday Break Estimated 2 weeks off