Organizer Information
Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL) is a leading nonprofit literary arts organization based in Seattle, Washington, dedicated to cultivating transformative experiences through story, language, and public engagement with writers and readers of all generations. Founded in 1988, SAL has built a strong regional and national reputation for presenting literary programming that bridges established and emerging voices in contemporary literature.
The organization operates at the intersection of arts programming, education, and community engagement, offering public lectures, literary events, and youth-focused educational initiatives across the Puget Sound region. Each year, SAL reaches more than 33,000 audience members and over 6,000 students through its programs, making it one of the most active literary organizations in the United States.
SAL is also deeply committed to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA), actively working toward becoming an anti-racist organization. Its mission is guided by values of joy, equity, curiosity, community, and accessibility, which shape both its internal operations and external programming.
Title & Description
Development Associate Job Seattle Arts & Lectures
Seattle Arts & Lectures is seeking a full-time Development Associate to join its administrative and fundraising team in Seattle, United States. This role is central to supporting the organization’s Fundraising, donor engagement systems, event coordination, and communications operations.
The Development Associate will work closely with the Development Director and internal teams to ensure the smooth execution of donor stewardship activities, fundraising campaigns, and major organizational events. The position is ideal for candidates interested in nonprofit arts administration, cultural fundraising, and literary arts organizations.
SAL’s programming includes public literary events, educational initiatives, and community partnerships that foster creativity and critical thinking. The Development Associate plays a key role in sustaining these programs by supporting donor relationships, managing CRM systems, and coordinating fundraising activities that directly contribute to SAL’s mission.
This role also involves supporting SAL’s major fundraising events, including donor luncheons and gala events, as well as assisting in communications strategies that strengthen engagement with the organization’s supporter base.
The Role Overview
- Position: Development Associate
- Organization: Seattle Arts & Lectures (SAL)
- Reports to: Development Director
- Job Type: Full-Time
- Salary Range: $60,000 – $62,000 USD
- Location: Seattle, Washington (Hybrid)
- Work Schedule: Minimum 3 days/week in the office after onboarding
- Contract Type: Permanent staff role (full-time employment)
Position & Tasks
The Development Associate will support SAL’s development and communications operations through three primary areas:
1. Fundraising Operations & Administrative Support (40%)
- Maintain donor records in CRM systems (e.g., PatronManager)
- Track donations, grants, pledges, and prospect activity
- Generate donor and fundraising reports
- Manage grant tracking timelines and deadlines
- Support donor communications and impact reporting
- Coordinate financial reconciliation with the Finance team
- Maintain development calendars and administrative workflows
2. Event Coordination & Support (40%)
- Support planning of major fundraising events (e.g., WITS Luncheon, SAL Gala)
- Coordinate logistics with vendors, venues, and internal teams
- Track sponsorships, registrations, and attendance data
- Manage event preparation, materials, and logistics
- Assist with post-event reporting and donor stewardship
- Provide on-site event support when required
3. Communications Support (20%)
- Support email marketing campaigns and donor communications
- Use digital tools such as Mailchimp and Canva
- Maintain website updates for donor-related content
- Assist in social media and campaign logistics
Categories
- Jobs
- Art Management
- Literature
- Writing
- Cultural Management
- Art Writing
- Nonfiction
- Public Presentation
- Education
- Internship (non-academic equivalent experience path)
Eligibility
- Minimum 2 years of professional experience in administrative, nonprofit, or operations roles
- Experience working with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, PatronManager preferred)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience in nonprofit fundraising or development
- Familiarity with digital tools (Mailchimp, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Strong interest in literary arts and cultural programming
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist organizational values
The position is open to candidates from diverse backgrounds, with strong encouragement for applicants from historically underrepresented communities in the arts.
Program Benefits
- Full-time salary: $60,000–$62,000 USD
- 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off (vacation, wellness, personal days, holidays)
- Hybrid work flexibility
- Professional development support
- Access to a mission-driven cultural and literary organization
- Experience working with a major U.S. nonprofit arts institution
- Opportunity to contribute to large-scale public literary programming
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Resume (CV)
- Cover letter explaining interest in the role
- Single PDF submission document
- Professional experience relevant to nonprofit administration or fundraising
Applications must be submitted electronically to the SAL HR email address.
How to Apply?
Submit application materials in one PDF file via email: salhr@lectures.org
Subject Line: Development Associate
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 26 May 2026
- Position Type: Open until filled
- Work Schedule Start: Upon hiring (hybrid onboarding period applies)
- Interview Timeline: Rolling review
Location
Seattle, United States
Additional Details
Seattle Arts & Lectures emphasizes equity-centered hiring practices and actively encourages applications from individuals historically underrepresented in the literary and nonprofit sectors, including Black and Indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQIA+ communities, disabled individuals, and candidates from working-class backgrounds.
The organization follows a hybrid work model and requires occasional evening and weekend availability for events (approximately 3–5 times per month during program season). The role requires strong organizational capacity, attention to detail, and the ability to manage sensitive donor and financial information with discretion.
This position offers a strong entry point into nonprofit arts administration and cultural fundraising within a nationally recognized literary institution.