Grant Manager
Ojai Music Festival Grants Manager
Internationally regarded as one of the most influential annual classical music events, the Ojai Music Festival has long served as a creative musical laboratory for artists, composers and audiences alike to explore new and unfamiliar repertoire. The Festival uniquely combines the intimate setting of Ojai with artists performing innovative programs over an extended weekend to create an immersive experience. The Festival is committed to fostering a positive and dynamic culture among the performers, artistic staff, administrative staff, audience, volunteers, and the Ojai community. In addition, the Festival’s BRAVO education & community program actively teaches area youth about music and how it relates to other core curriculum subjects, as well as enriches the lives of the local elderly community. The Festival successfully led a community effort to raise $4 million to rebuild Libbey Bowl, which held its grand opening at the June 2011 Festival.
The Festival’s Grants Manager reports to the Director of Development and will work directly with the President and Artistic Director as needed to write, identify and solicit funding to meet the Festival’s $250,000 foundation budget (approximately 15-20 grants annually).
Overall Scope of Responsibilities:
- Write and develop grant proposals for foundations and other grant-making organizations, effectively communicating the Festival’s mission, programs, and goals to potential funders
- Identify new potential sources of funding from foundations, state and federal agencies, and corporate entities
- Manage and maintain the Festival grants calendar to ensure timely submissions of proposals, letters of inquiry, and all progress and final reports
- Assist Director of Development to build and maintain relationships with foundation contacts and program officers
- Ensure prompt acknowledgement of gifts in coordination with the Director of Development
- Stay up-to-date on the Festival’s program developments and outcomes, present and future artistic plans, and organizational needs
- Keep long-term organizational goals in mind to work to further develop and expand the Festival’s grant program
- Be available during the annual music festival and assist as necessary (2nd Thursday-Sunday in June)
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:
- A BA or equivalent degree (Music, English or Business degree preferred)
- Proven interest in the arts with music preferred
- 3+ years of proven recent grant writing experience, background in arts/music, (contemporary music a plus)
- Ability to write grants for both small and large regional, national, and international foundations and entities
- Strong general knowledge of Southern California Foundations a great benefit
- Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive deadlines
- Reputation among funders as being a well liked yet persuasive and successful advocate
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision and able resourcefully utilize necessary staff/resources to source information and find effective solutions
- Creativity in finding new granting opportunities for the Festival’s unique location and program objectives
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Exceptional communication and writing skills
Supervisor: Director of Development
Part-Time position: Approximately 8-10 hours/week with generous time off. Attendance at four-day festival essential. Ability to make visits to Ojai office a minimum of two times per month, remote working options are available for remaining days. Compensation commensurate with experience.
To Apply: Please submit your resume and a copy of a grant proposal written in the past 18 months to Anna Wagner, [email protected].