Development & Grants Manager

Position Type: Part-Time

Work Modality: Hybrid

Reports To: President & Artistic Director

 

About Cincinnati Song Initiative

Cincinnati Song Initiative (CSI) is a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to the promotion and innovation of art song — classical music set to poetry — through world-class performance, education, and community engagement. Founded in 2016, CSI reaches audiences through three programming branches: the Mainstage concert series in Cincinnati, CSI Mobile (national and international touring and residencies), and CSI Digital (global educational and performance content). CSI’s values of artistry, communication, collaboration, and innovation guide everything the organization does.

Position Overview
The Development & Grants Manager is responsible for growing Cincinnati Song Initiative’s contributed revenue through individual giving, foundation and government support, and donor engagement activities. Working closely with the President & Artistic Director, this position will lead annual donor cultivation and stewardship efforts, manage grant applications and reports, and help build a sustainable base of philanthropic support for CSI’s artistic and educational programs.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building authentic relationships, communicating impact through compelling writing, and creating organized systems that strengthen fundraising results.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Annual Giving & Individual Donor Engagement

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, developing personalized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at every giving level
• Develop and implement annual giving strategies to increase donor acquisition and retention
• Coordinate donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities throughout the year
• Partner with the President & Artistic Director on major gift strategy and donor engagement
• Maintain and enhance donor communications, acknowledgement processes, and recognition programs
• Identify, research, and qualify prospective donors through concerts, events, community connections, and existing networks

 

Grant Management, Writing & Reporting

• Identify and pursue grant opportunities aligned with CSI’s programs and priorities
• Write and submit proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports to foundations, government agencies, and corporate funders
• Maintain relationships with funders and program officers
• Track master grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal windows
• Manage grant stewardship activities, ensuring timely reporting, acknowledgment, and compliance with funder requirements

Development Operations & Administration

• Maintain donor interactions, giving, and stewardship activities in CSI’s database
• Track fundraising progress and provide regular reports to leadership and the Board
• Prepare philanthropic progress reports for quarterly Board of Directors meetings
• Monitor donor retention, upgrade opportunities, and lapsed donor re-engagement, providing regular progress reports to the President & Artistic Director
• Support donor events and receptions

 

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Partner with staff to gather program data, artist information, and impact narratives for proposals and donor communications
• Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Directors, preparing development reports and follow-up actions as needed
• Contribute to CSI’s broader development strategy and annual revenue goal setting
• Manage basic bookkeeping for CSI, including recording organizational income and expenses, tracking activity against the annual budget, and reconciling accounts to support accurate financial reporting

 

 

Qualifications

 

Required

• Located in the Greater Cincinnati area for donor and grant officer meetings, as well as support at CSI’s concerts and other events (approximately 3-6 isolated events per calendar year plus a week-long festival each May comprising between 10 and 15 individual events)
• Demonstrated experience writing successful grant proposals, preferably for arts, music, or cultural organizations
• Exceptional written communication skills — able to write with clarity, precision, and persuasiveness for a range of audiences
• Creative and strategic thinker with the ability to develop innovative solutions
• Genuine enthusiasm for relationship-building and a high degree of interpersonal warmth
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines successfully
• Comfort working with budgets and basic financial documents
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Proficiency with Google Workspace

 

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Music, Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, English, or a related field
• Familiarity with Greater Cincinnati’s philanthropic landscape
• Prior experience in development/philanthropy
• Experience in event coordination
• Familiarity with the Monday.com work management platform and Zeffy CRM
• Background in or personal passion for classical music, art song, or the performing arts

Compensation

This position is expected to average 5-10 hours per week, with occasional fluctuations around grant deadlines, fundraising events, and CSI’s annual festival. Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and will not start below $24/hour. Annual reviews provide the opportunity for growth. Cincinnati Song Initiative offers flexible working hours suited to each team member’s schedule.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Apply here no later than July 15, 2026. The role is expected to begin between August 1 and 15, 2026.

 

Cincinnati Song Initiative is committed to building a team that reflects the diverse communities it serves and strongly encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply.