Organizer Information
Centrum is a multidisciplinary nonprofit arts organization based at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington. It was founded in 1973 by music teacher Joe Wheeler as a partnership between the Washington State Arts Commission, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and has operated at Fort Worden as its original tenant ever since. Centrum presents workshops, residencies, and performances across a wide range of artistic disciplines, including programs such as the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Jazz Port Townsend, the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival, and the Port Townsend Writers' Conference. In 2024, the organization served more than 10,400 audience members and 1,600 workshop participants through 14 weeklong residential workshops, 48 public events, and 118 artist residencies. Centrum's funding today comes primarily from private donors, supported by a Development team and Board of Trustees.
Title & Description
Annual Fund & Events Manager
Centrum seeks a relationship-focused, organized, and creative Annual Fund & Events Manager to lead the organization's annual fund and donor stewardship program in support of Centrum's mission. Grounded in a commitment to exceptional donor experiences and meaningful philanthropy, the role develops and implements the annual fund plan and stewardship strategies that strengthen relationships with donors at every giving level. The position is a member of Centrum's four-person Development team, which partners closely with organizational leadership and the Board of Trustees to advance philanthropic support and raise more than $2 million annually. The role is based primarily in an office environment at Fort Worden and includes support for occasional evening, weekend, and outdoor donor cultivation events.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-Time (30 hours per week)
- Contract Type: Non-Exempt, with benefits
- Salary: $25.00–$27.00 per hour
- Reports To: Senior Director of Development
- Department / Programme: Development (a four-person team)
- Working Hours: 30 hours per week; includes occasional evening, weekend, and outdoor donor cultivation events
Position & Tasks
- Annual Fund
- In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development, develop and execute Centrum's annual fund plan, identifying strategies and tactics to meet contributed revenue goals
- Manage annual fund campaigns and donor communications, including direct mail and email appeals, stewardship communications, acknowledgment templates, and other donor-facing materials
- Develop and expand Centrum's monthly giving program and other strategies designed to increase donor participation, retention, and engagement
- Write compelling, donor-centered communications that demonstrate the impact of philanthropy and connect donors to Centrum's mission, artists, programs, and community
- Coordinate with the Development Data & Donor Relations Manager to develop campaign audiences and mailing lists and ensure donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship activities are timely and accurate
- Monitor annual fund participation and engagement and identify donors with potential for increased giving or major-gift cultivation
- Coordinate annual fund production schedules and oversee external vendors supporting direct mail, digital campaigns, creative services, and related fundraising activities
- Collaborate with the Senior Director of Development, Development team, Marketing & Communications, and other departments to ensure annual fund and stewardship activities are coordinated, and donor commitments are fulfilled
- Participate in Development team planning and perform other duties as assigned
- Donor Events & Cultivation
- Plan and coordinate donor cultivation, stewardship, recognition, and fundraising events that strengthen donor relationships and advance Centrum's contributed revenue goals
- Manage event work plans, timelines, invitations, guest communications, vendors, volunteers, logistics, and donor experience
- Serve as a key Development team partner for Centrum's annual Gala and Benefit Dinner, coordinating assigned components of planning and execution, including timelines, logistics, auction activities, entertainment, sponsorship and donor support, table and ticket sales, day-of fundraising activities, and post-event stewardship
- Coordinate with the Development Data & Donor Relations Manager on event lists, registration, attendee tracking, reporting, and follow-up
- Partner with Program staff and other departments to create donor experiences that connect supporters with Centrum's artistic programming, artists, and mission
- Coordinate event-related vendors and volunteers and support on-site execution, including occasional evening and weekend events
- Evaluate event participation and donor engagement and recommend improvements to future cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising events
Categories
- Arts Administration
- Development & Fundraising
- Donor Relations
- Event Management
- Nonprofit Management
Eligibility
- Three to five years of experience in annual giving, donor stewardship, donor relations, fundraising, communications, or a related nonprofit field
- Experience overseeing outside vendors (mail houses, digital platforms, creative support) preferred
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Little Green Light or another fundraising CRM preferred
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive donor information
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of donor cultivation and stewardship events
- No geographic or nationality restriction stated in the source
- Centrum states it does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law, and encourages candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply
Program Benefits
- Hourly pay rate of $25.00–$27.00
- Position is described as "with benefits," though specific benefit types (health insurance, retirement, vacation days, etc.) are not itemized in the source
- Not otherwise specified in the source
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Submit a cover letter and resume to hr@centrum.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
- Job description created: July 2026
Location
Fort Worden, Port Townsend, Washington, United States
Additional Details
- Centrum is an Equal Opportunity Employer
- The source document includes a detailed physical requirements and potential hazards checklist for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standards; notable stated requirements include continuous ability to see close work, distinguish colors, hear conversations and sounds, and communicate through speech and writing, as well as occasional exposure to aggressive/angry people and occasional lifting/carrying of 10–50 pounds