Development Assistant

MISSION STATEMENT

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation keeps music alive in our schools by providing vital support services to school districts, and new musical instruments to underfunded music programs nationwide, giving economically disadvantaged youth access to the many benefits of music education, leading them to success in school, and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music. We prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of our work.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Development Assistant is a key member of the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation’s Development team, responsible for the operational foundation that keeps the department running: accurate donor records, timely gift processing, campaign logistics, and administrative support. The Assistant reports to the Development Director and receives day-to-day task direction from the Grants & Communications Officer on grants support and content creation.

While the core of the role is process-driven, success requires active collaboration with the Officer and Director on content creation. As the steward of the Foundation's donor data, the Assistant brings a unique vantage point to the team's storytelling — translating giving patterns, engagement trends, and firsthand donor observations into insights that sharpen our content and communications.

The ideal candidate is organized and reliable, with strong written communication skills and a genuine curiosity about what makes donor engagement work. This is a great entry point into a full-service development operation, with direct exposure to grants, individual giving, and communications.

Donor Database & Gift Processing

Maintain and update donor records in eTapestry (Blackbaud), ensuring accuracy and data integrity across the individual donor database

Process donations and generate timely acknowledgment letters and tax receipts in accordance with the organization’s stewardship standards

Manage donor segmentation and list pulls for direct mail and digital campaigns

Run donor reports to support portfolio management and revenue tracking

Grants & Fundraising Support

Support the Grants & Communications Officer with the administrative layer of grant calendar management

Compile program, outcomes, and financial data for use in grant materials, coordinating across Program, Finance, and other departments as needed; the Development department operates as a shared services model, and the Assistant plays a key role in facilitating those cross-departmental workflows

Assist with logistics and materials production for donor cultivation events and fundraising campaigns

Communications & Content Support

Produce donor communications including thank-you notes, renewal reminders, and stewardship updates

Support the production and deployment of fundraising appeals and digital campaigns, including management of mailing list preparation, coordinating with vendors, scheduling, and quality checks

Collaborate actively with the Officer and Director on content development, bringing observations from donor interactions and ideas for storytelling angles

Produce donor research, compiling background profiles and giving histories to support cultivation and solicitation

Administrative & Team Support

Maintain organized digital files for development materials, templates, and correspondence

Assist the Development Director and Grants & Communications Officer with administrative and operational needs as they arise, including scheduling, meeting prep, notetaking, and other tasks that support the department’s work

Other duties as assigned

Passionate about the mission of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

1–2 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or administration; internship experience in a development setting will be considered

Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Clear, professional written communication skills

Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with eTapestry (Blackbaud) or a comparable donor CRM required

Collaborative and reliable, with the initiative to work independently and the judgment to ask for direction when needed

Experience with arts education or youth-serving organizations a plus