The Role

Northwest Film Forum is seeking a Development Manager to help build and sustain the systems that support our fundraising and community of supporters.

This role is both strategic and public-facing. The Development Manager will work closely with the Executive Director to strengthen NWFF’s development infrastructure while also helping cultivate the culture of generosity that makes the Forum possible.

On the operational side, the Development Manager will lead the day-to-day management of our development systems: maintaining and improving our CRM, supporting membership growth, coordinating donor communications, and helping secure and steward corporate partners.

At the same time, this role is an active presence in the building. The Development Manager will serve as a welcoming point of connection for visitors, members, donors, and community partners, helping translate the excitement of what’s happening at the Forum into meaningful support for the organization.

This is a role for someone who enjoys both structure and imagination: someone who can build strong systems while also thinking creatively about how people become invested in a place like Northwest Film Forum.

The Development Manager works in tandem with the Executive Director. While the Executive Director focuses on external relationships, major donors, and long-term partnerships, the Development Manager helps ensure that the Forum’s development systems are thoughtful, organized, and growing.

NWFF is a creatively strategic organization, and we welcome candidates who bring strong ideas alongside clear systems for making them work. There is room in this role for initiative, experimentation, and shaping how development happens here.

Key Responsibilities

Development Systems and Fundraising Support

• Working in partnership with the Executive Director, support the execution of Northwest Film Forum’s annual fundraising strategy.
• Manage and strengthen NWFF’s development systems, including donor tracking, reporting, stewardship, and CRM management.
• Support foundation and corporate fundraising efforts, including proposal coordination, reporting, funder communication, and relationship management.
• Help cultivate and steward corporate sponsorship opportunities connected to NWFF programs and events.
• Assist in identifying new funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Partner with the Executive Director on fundraising campaigns and special initiatives.

Membership and Community Investment

• Strengthen and expand the Forum’s membership program.
• Develop clear and welcoming pathways for audiences and community members to deepen their engagement and support.
• Help ensure that membership reflects a meaningful connection to the organization’s work and programs.

Board and Organizational Partnership

• Support the Board’s engagement in fundraising activities.
• Provide organized reporting to help guide fundraising strategy and decision-making.
• Contribute to building a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Events and Donor Experience

• Support planning and execution of the organization’s annual gala and other donor events.
• Help ensure supporters understand the impact of their giving.
• Represent Northwest Film Forum at community and donor events.
• Maintain an active presence at NWFF’s public programs and events.
• Serve as a welcoming presence in the Forum space, engaging visitors, artists, members, and community partners and helping translate the energy of the organization into long-term support.

Operational Stewardship

• Build sustainable workflows that support long-term development efforts.
• Work with the Executive Director and Director of Operations & Finance to track progress toward fundraising goals.
• Collaborate across departments to align fundraising with organizational priorities.

Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising, development, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience working with donor databases or CRM systems; implementation experience is strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Comfort interacting with the public and building relationships in a community-centered environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an evolving and creative organization.
• Experience in arts or cultural organizations is welcomed but not required.

What We’re Looking For

This role is suited for someone who brings both structure and imagination to development work. The Development Manager should be comfortable building systems, organizing complex information, strengthening relationships, and helping connect people to the mission and work of Northwest Film Forum.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working in a creative environment and understands that fundraising is ultimately about building genuine community investment.

Northwest Film Forum is a strategically creative organization, and we welcome candidates who bring strong ideas alongside clear systems for making them work. This role offers meaningful room for initiative as we continue shaping the next chapter of NWFF’s sustainability and growth.

Salary

$85,000

Please send a resume and cover letter to jill (at) nwfilmforum (dot) org. 

Application deadline is April 1st, 2025 at 5:00pm PDT.

It’s no secret that Northwest Film Forum runs on the commitment and creativity of our loyal legion of volunteers!

There are roles for almost anyone who wants to help; in the projection booth, at the box office, or around town. Anyone can volunteer! All it takes is a can-do, proactive attitude, a commitment to a regular schedule, and a wish from the bottom of your heart for the Forum to do well.

Oh, and did we mention the free movies at the Forum (with a +1!) AND at other theaters (Grand Illusion and SIFF cinemas!), endless popcorn, volunteer appreciation nights, and credit that volunteers earn toward equipment rentals and workshops?

Fill out your application here to let us know your schedule and little bit about yourself, then send it to rajah (at) nwfilmforum.org.

We currently have no internship opportunities, but watch this space for any ahead!