Development Coordinator

Position:             Development Coordinator

Reports to:         Director of Development, Donor Operations

Location:             Downtown Charleston, SC

Hours:                  Full-Time/ Exempt

Organization Background

The Charleston Gaillard Center is an 1,800-seat performance hall located in Charleston, South Carolina. The facility also contains 16,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, along with office and public spaces. The Charleston Gaillard Center is a non-profit 501c3 organization responsible for managing the facility.

The Charleston Gaillard Center's mission is to provide the Lowcountry with a world-class performance hall, elegant venue space, and vibrant educational opportunities inspiring our dynamic community through the power of the performing arts. We seek to enrich the diverse community of Charleston with artistic and cultural experiences that are accessible and unique, and to serve as an education resource for generations to come. For more information about the Charleston Gaillard Center, please visit http://www.gaillardcenter.org.

Position Summary

The Development Coordinator provides vital administrative and operational support to streamline and strengthen the Development Department’s work. As a key team member, this role coordinates and implements initiatives that advance fundraising goals and enhance overall department effectiveness.

This position manages data entry, maintains accurate records, generates reports, responds to donor inquiries, processes gifts, and prepares formal acknowledgments. The coordinator also supports event planning and special fundraising campaigns.

Essential to the team’s overall effectiveness, this role helps cultivate strong donor relationships through accuracy, responsiveness, and seamless internal coordination. The ideal candidate is meticulous, highly organized, technologically proficient, resourceful, and motivated to thrive in a collaborative fundraising environment.

Responsibilities

Donor Database Management and Gift Processing (50%)

• Enter all donations and pledges into the CRM daily; support monthly reconciliation efforts and generate gift reports as requested
• Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date donor records, including contact and biographical information, giving history, and communications to donors or prospects.
• Lead data clean-up initiatives and conduct periodic database audits to identify and correct gaps or inconsistencies.
• Analyze fundraising data to inform strategy, decision-making, and performance tracking.
• Coordinate Moves Management meetings, reports, and processes to effectively track prospects and manage the fundraising pipeline.
• Develop and update gift dashboards, charts, and data visualizations as requested to support reporting and strategic planning.

Donor Stewardship (20%)

• Respond to donor inquiries professionally and in a timely fashion.
• Draft, edit, review, and send weekly acknowledgment letters, accurate tax receipts, renewals letters, and other donor correspondence.
• Assist with the creation and distribution of member benefits, renewal packages, event invitations, and other donor communications.
• When directed, follow up with donors through phone, email, and/or mail about benefits and events.

Event Support (20%)

• Support the execution of fundraising and cultivation events, including invitation management, RSVP tracking, preparing prospect bios and registrant profiles and drafting promotional materials.
• Offer on-site support at donor events and performances, which may require evening and weekend hours.

Fundraising Communications Support (10%)

• Quarterly, take and maintain inventory of donor collateral. If needed, coordinate requests or orders for replenishments.
• Regularly, review and update donor recognition pages or listings as well as online fundraising web pages to reflect any recent changes in the department or new donations.

Education and Experience

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

• A minimum of 2 years experience in a nonprofit, hospital or education setting in an administrative, stewardship, database management or project management (internship experience is welcomed).

Qualifications

• Commitment to accuracy, strong organizational habits, and maintaining high quality work.
• Strong querying skills and data analytical skills including the ability to analyze and interpret business and financial data and information.

• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and follow through with minimal direction.
• Excellent project management, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in the use of various Microsoft365 programs, including MS Office, Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive, and experience using databases. (Candidates with Raiser’s Edge experience will be given priority.)
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Passion to learn about fundraising, nonprofit management, and the arts.
• Professional and personable demeanor and appearance when working with donors and colleagues.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must submit to a criminal background check.
• Applicant must be eligible to work in the U.S.
• The completion of a short writing assignment is required for all finalists.

Physical Requirements

• Work may include prolonged periods of sitting, typing, or looking at a computer screen.

Other

• Reliable transportation
• Regular and predictable attendance
• Dress appropriately for work demands

What the Gaillard can Offer You

• Join a collaborative development team that values creativity, professionalism, and purpose.
• Work in an inspiring environment that blends artistry and community impact, surrounded by renowned artists and an engaged board.
• Grow professionally through direct experience, cross-departmental collaboration, and opportunities for training and development.
• Enjoy a workplace culture that values balance, well-being, and a shared passion for the arts.

Pay and Benefits

Pay is commensurate with experience. Please state your wage requirements in your cover letter.

The Charleston Gaillard Center provides a competitive benefit package that includes:

• Fully paid medical, vision, and dental insurance at the employee level
• Optional life and disability insurance
• 4 weeks of paid time off
• 403(b) with a company match
• Free and/or discounted tickets to performances
• Employer paid parking

NO PHONE CALLS

The Charleston Gaillard Center is an equal opportunity employer. Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Gaillard is critical to our mission. To be a leading performing arts center in the Southeast, we need to have a highly diverse staff, a workplace where individuals are encouraged to retain their uniqueness and can feel a sense of belonging. For us, equity means that our staff members, our patrons, and our clients can experience the transformative power of the arts, no matter their starting place.

1.  https://gaillardcenter.org/about-us/careers/
2. Click on Development Coordinator
3. Scroll to the bottom of the job description and click "Click Here To Apply"