Development Coordinator

Development Coordinator

Location: Bristol, TN/VA
Position Type: Full-Time, Hourly
Reports To: Director of Development

About the Birthplace of Country Music

The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Bristol's rich musical heritage through the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, Radio Bristol, and a variety of educational and community programs.

We are seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Development Coordinator to support our fundraising, sponsorship, membership, and donor engagement efforts. This position plays a critical role in helping BCM build and sustain relationships with donors, sponsors, members, and community partners while supporting the operational success of the Development Department.

Position Summary

The Development Coordinator provides administrative and operational support to the Director of Development and assists with the implementation of BCM's fundraising, sponsorship, membership, donor stewardship, and special event initiatives. This position maintains donor records and reporting systems, coordinates development operations, supports fundraising events and campaigns, and helps ensure the successful execution of BCM's philanthropic goals.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented, with strong project management skills and the ability to coordinate multiple priorities while maintaining excellent donor and stakeholder relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Development Operations & Donor Support

• Maintain accurate donor, sponsor, member, and constituent records within BCM's fundraising database.
• Serve as an internal resource for donor data management, reporting, and tracking.
• Process donations, pledges, acknowledgements, tax receipts, and stewardship communications.
• Generate reports to support fundraising campaigns, sponsorship tracking, donor stewardship, and organizational decision-making.
• Assist with donor cultivation, recognition, and engagement activities.
• Support sponsorship administration, including agreements, fulfillment tracking, and sponsor communications.

Event Planning & Coordination

• Assist with planning and executing fundraising and donor engagement events.
• Coordinate invitations, RSVPs, schedules, volunteers, vendors, donor hospitality, and event logistics.
• Support event-day operations and post-event follow-up activities.
• Help ensure a positive and professional experience for donors, sponsors, volunteers, and guests.

Communications & Marketing Support

• Assist with donor, sponsor, membership, and fundraising communications.
• Coordinate with BCM's Marketing Department to support fundraising campaigns and recognition efforts.
• Help maintain fundraising-related website content and other donor-facing materials.
• Support the timely fulfillment of sponsor recognition and promotional commitments.

Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support to the Director of Development, including scheduling, correspondence, meeting coordination, and special projects.
• Prepare meeting agendas and materials, record minutes, track action items, and maintain committee records.
• Monitor project timelines and facilitate communication across departments to keep initiatives on track.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in administrative support, nonprofit operations, fundraising, development, event coordination, sponsorship management, or a related field.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, track deadlines, prioritize competing priorities, and follow projects through to completion.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive donor information professionally.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for special events.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, business, or a related field.
• Experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, event planning, sponsorship administration, or nonprofit operations.
• Experience working with donor databases, CRM systems, or fundraising software.
• Experience with Network for Good strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising principles and donor stewardship practices.
• Experience coordinating volunteers, committees, or special events.

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate and timely donor and sponsorship record management.
• Effective support of fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship activities.
• Successful coordination of development events and sponsorship fulfillment.
• Strong communication and collaboration across BCM departments.
• Professional, responsive service to donors, sponsors, members, and community partners.

Why Join BCM?

Join a passionate team dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions while supporting world-class music programming, community engagement, and cultural tourism initiatives that impact the region and beyond.

The Birthplace of Country Music is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants.