Development Manager at The Crucible – Oakland, California

Our mission: The Crucible inspires creative exploration and expression through welcoming, direct arts education and experiences for people of diverse ages and backgrounds. As an innovative hub built around the industrial arts, The Crucible is a catalyst for individual growth and vibrant community connections. In addition to supporting working and emerging artists and art students, The Crucible has become increasingly focused in recent years on supporting career pathways into the arts and the industrial trades, and on supporting access to our programs for BIPOC youth and families, especially those from West Oakland.

The Opportunity:

The Development Manager is responsible for the operational execution of The Crucible’s fundraising function. The role manages Salesforce data entry, donor acknowledgements, development administration, inbox management, and prospect research support, ensuring that contributed income is accurately recorded, stewarded, and protected. This position enables fundraising leadership to focus on donor relationships, solicitation, and institutional funding by maintaining strong systems, responsive communications, and reliable financial alignment.

Key Responsibilities and Performance Areas

1. Salesforce & Donor Data Management

• Enter and verify all donations in Salesforce, including non-automated (Donor Box) gifts
• Maintain accurate donor records, campaign tagging, and gift coding
• Produce standard Salesforce reports for development and finance needs
• Manage the full donor acknowledgement process for all gifts, supporting donor retention and repeat giving
• Maintain acknowledgement templates and workflows
• Ensure quality, timely, accurate, and compliant donor communications

3. Development Inbox & Donor Communications

• Monitor and manage the Development inbox and inquiries, to ensure prompt and reliable responses to donor inquiries, especially during high peak periods
• Respond to routine donor inquiries and triage complex requests
• Accurately log donor interactions and correspondence in Salesforce
• Provide holiday and peak-period inbox coverage as required

4. Prospect Research & Database Support

• Assist with prospect research using iWave
• Create and maintain accurate prospect profiles and research notes
• Identify and compile prospect contact information using RocketReach and other available tools
• Ensure leadership has complete and accurate information for engagement

5. Financial Reconciliation & Coordination with Finance

• Coordinate with Finance to reconcile Salesforce with Donorbox, Benevity, and internal financial systems
• Identify and resolve data discrepancies in collaboration with Finance and Development leadership
• Maintain documentation to support audits and reporting

6. Fundraising Operations & Team Support

• Provide operational and administrative support to the Development Director, Executive Director, and Institutional Fundraising Manager
• Support campaigns and fundraising activities through data, admin, and coordination tasks
• Ensure gifts are correctly recorded, reconciled and auditable
• Prepare routine and ad hoc development data trackers and reports

Skills & Experience

• Experience in nonprofit development operations or fundraising administration (2 years + preferrable)
• Familiarity and some experience with CRM systems data management (ideally Salesforce) and ability to learn quickly
• Experience with donor acknowledgements and communications
• Familiarity with prospecting tools
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to learn and teamwork orientation

Personal Attributes/Values

• People-orientation- able to interact effectively, politely, and productively with all types of

people from all types of backgrounds and experience and in all types of situations.

• Deeply committed to social justice and education

• Professional maturity to manage composure during stressful interactions

• Energetic, diplomatic, adaptable and with a good sense of humor

• Passionate about The Crucible’s mission, vision, and goals and possess an

understanding of how this position contributes to the organization’s success.

The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all people, especially those who bring the benefits of diversity to the organization. Women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.