Senior Director of Philanthropy

About Orlando Family Stage
Orlando Family Stage (OFS) is one of Central Florida’s oldest arts organizations and the State of Florida’s only professional Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA). Founded in 1926 and now in its eighth iteration, OFS reaches tens of thousands of children, families, and educators annually through professional productions, a Youth Academy of camps and classes, and innovative education and community engagement programs. Located in Loch Haven Park, OFS maintains a close partnership with the University of Central Florida, most notably hosting the MFA program in Theatre for Young Audiences.

Our mission is to empower young people to be brave and empathetic by creating quality theatrical experiences. We believe the work of theatre is fostering empathy and sharing stories representing many voices. We continuously strive to build and maintain a team that reflects and represents the diverse community we serve.

Position Summary
The Senior Director of Philanthropy (full-time, year-round) provides strategic leadership for all fundraising and development efforts at Orlando Family Stage. Reporting to the Executive Director and supported by a Development Consultant and Development Coordinator, this role oversees the planning, execution, and growth of comprehensive fundraising programs, including major gifts, individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, special events, and annual campaigns.

This position is both strategic and highly relational, responsible for setting fundraising direction, cultivating and stewarding major donors, supporting board engagement, and serving as a visible ambassador for OFS within the philanthropic and arts communities. The Senior Director of Philanthropy plays a critical role in advancing OFS’s mission and long-term financial sustainability.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
-Fundraising Strategy & Leadership-
● Partner with the Executive Director and Development Consultant to design and execute long-range and annual fundraising strategies aligned with organizational Strategic Plan priorities.
● Establish and meet fundraising targets across individual, corporate, foundation, and government support.
● Oversee the development department’s systems, timelines, and performance metrics to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

-Major Gifts & Individual Giving-
● Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, including major gift prospects, with a focus on long-term, donor-centered relationship building.
● Develop customized engagement plans and timelines for donors based on best practices in moves management.
● Collaborate closely with the Executive Director on major gift cultivation and solicitation strategies.

-Corporate, Foundation & Grant Development-
● Lead corporate sponsorship strategy, including cultivation, solicitation, fulfillment, and stewardship.
● Oversee grants strategy and management, including prospect identification, application oversight, reporting, and compliance.
● Ensure timely and appropriate follow-up with funders across all campaigns and funding streams.

-Board Engagement & Governance Support-
● Serve as a key fundraising resource to the Board of Directors, supporting board members in their individual and collective fundraising efforts.
● Attend board meetings to report on development progress, share successes, and request strategic support.
● Assist the Board Governance and Nominating Committee with tracking, record-keeping, and reporting related to board engagement and fundraising activity.

-Campaigns & Special Events-
● Design and oversee annual fundraising campaigns, including the United Arts Collaborative Campaign and other designated fund drives and appeals.
● Lead the planning and execution of fundraising special events, working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and committees to ensure strong financial and engagement outcomes.

-Donor Stewardship & Reporting-
● Ensure thoughtful, consistent donor stewardship across all giving levels through calls, meetings, written communications, and recognition activities.
● Oversee the creation of regular reports on donor activity, campaign performance, and fundraising trends to inform leadership and board decision-making.

-Community Engagement & Advocacy-
● Maintain strong awareness of community, philanthropic, and arts-sector activity to identify opportunities for engagement, partnerships, and visibility.
● Represent OFS in local and state arts and culture advocacy efforts, attending relevant meetings and events as appropriate.

-Cross-Department Collaboration-
● Maintain a working knowledge of all OFS departments to ensure fundraising strategies reflect programmatic priorities and organizational needs.
● Collaborate with the Marketing team on donor communications, grant materials, special event collateral, and board-facing materials.

Development Team & Organizational Responsibilities
● Attend workshops, convenings, and events hosted by community partners, including United Arts meetings and county or regional funding sessions.
● Serve as staff liaison to board committees as appropriate, including the Development Committee and Special Events Subcommittee.
● Ensure fulfillment of all donor and sponsor benefits and funding obligations.
● Attend and support OFS special events and cultivation activities.
● Work occasional evenings, early mornings, and weekends as required by fundraising and organizational responsibilities.

Qualifications
● Experience in nonprofit management, education, youth services, arts administration, or related fields.
● Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably within the performing arts or nonprofit sector.
● Demonstrated success in securing and stewarding gifts across multiple funding streams.
● Proven ability to work independently and strategically in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
● Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
● Experience with donor management software, project management, and CRM systems strongly preferred.
● Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
● CFRE credential preferred.

Compensation & Benefits
Orlando Family Stage offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
● Starting Salary: (Tier 2-Senior Director) $80,000 annually
● Health insurance package
● Paid vacation and sick time
● 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 3.5%
● Optional short-term disability, vision, and dental plans

Apply Today
Orlando Family Stage is seeking to fill this position as quickly as possible. All interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and cover letter to employment@orlandofamilystage.com with the subject line: Senior Director of Philanthropy Application 2026 as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is February 13, 2026 but will be reviewing applications as they come in.

Orlando Family Stage is an equal opportunity employer and as such, we consider individuals for employment according to their abilities and performance. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, age, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.