Description
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) seeks a talented and mission-driven Grant Writer to support the organization’s fundraising efforts across the annual fund, endowment, special projects, and other campaigns. This role is responsible for developing compelling grant proposals and reports, cultivating meaningful relationships with funders, and collaborating across departments to advance the DSO’s artistic and community impact.
Grounded in the DSO’s values of integrity, creativity, and connection, the Grant Writer will help articulate the organization’s vision and programs to a broad network of supporters and funding partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of 40+ foundation donors representing $1.3M+ in annual recurring contributed revenue, with responsibility for donor retention, solicitation, revenue growth, and ongoing engagement.
- Write and submit high-quality grant proposals to family, community, private, national, and government funders in alignment with organizational funding goals.
- Tailor each proposal to meet the specific requirements, preferences, and guidelines of individual grant-making organizations.
- Design and develop compelling support materials, presentations, proposals, and other donor-facing collateral using Canva and other design and presentation software to effectively communicate the DSO’s programs, impact, and funding priorities.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with departments to gather accurate program information, budgets, benchmarks, and outcomes for proposals and reports.
- Develop and steward relationships with existing and prospective funders through outreach, meetings, and engagement opportunities.
- Research, identify, and evaluate new grant prospects, including funding priorities, deadlines, and submission requirements.
- Prepare and submit timely reports detailing grant outcomes and program impact.
- Maintain organized and accurate records of grant activity, including deadlines, submissions, and results.
- Coordinate funder benefits such as recognition, ticketing, receptions, and other engagement needs.
- Draft and edit additional internal and external communications in support of the Development team as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Writing, Communication or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of grant writing or related fundraising experience.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and grammatical skills with the ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to build relationships.
- Experience working with budgets and financial information in support of proposals.
- Highly organized with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Interest in and appreciation for the performing arts, with a commitment to learning and communicating the DSO’s programming and community impact.
Work Environment
- Some evening and weekend work is expected to support performances, events, and community engagement efforts.
- Hybrid work environment.
Values in Action
- Integrity: Builds trust through accuracy, transparency, accountability, and thoughtful stewardship. Ensures proposals, reports, budgets, and communications are accurate and aligned with the DSO’s mission.
- Creativity: Approaches fundraising and storytelling with curiosity and imagination, translating the DSO’s artistic and community impact into compelling proposals and donor communications.
- Connection: Builds meaningful relationships with funders, colleagues, artists, and community partners. Collaborates across departments to communicate the DSO’s impact and connect supporters to its mission.
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra offers a competitive benefits package, free onsite parking, and access to complimentary concert tickets when available.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The DSO is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, programs, and activities.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Writing, Communication, or equivalent education and professional experience
- Minimum 3 years of grant writing or related fundraising experience
- Exceptional writing, editing, and grammatical skills
- Ability to adapt tone and style for different audiences
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships
- Experience working with budgets and financial information for proposals
- Strong organization and attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Interest in and appreciation for the performing arts
- Commitment to learning and communicating organizational programming and community impact
What We Do
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is the largest performing arts organization in the Southwest United States, dedicated to entertaining, inspiring, and changing lives through musical excellence with distinctive classical and inventive pops programs.
