Development Director
Children's Theatre Company, Winona, MN, United States
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) is excited to announce the search for a staff member to fill our Development Director role.
About FRFF and Winona, MN Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization presenting an annual winter all-documentary film festival and offering year-round opportunities for people of all ages to connect with and through film and filmmaking. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, FRFF aims to present film experiences that inspire curiosity, connection, and community. FRFF is looking for a Development Director who will help develop the organization’s festival, educational programming, community building, and contribute to the thriving film and arts culture in the charming river valley community of Winona, MN.
Winona, MN is a micropolitan community on the banks of the Mississippi River, situated on Mni Sota Makoce, the ancestral lands of the Dakota people. Winona is a hub of cultural festivals and experiences, highlighting the community’s love of film, art, music, dance, and theater. Home to Winona State University and St. Mary’s University, this idyllic college town enjoys access to nature and outdoor recreation year round. Winona is walkable and home to multiple lakes, over 2,200 acres of public parks, and the picturesque bluffs that surround the city. For more information about the Winona arts scene, please visit: https://visitwinona.com/things-to-do/arts-theatre/.
Location & Modality
Winona, MN
In person requirements multiple times per month + in person for the annual festival (otherwise Remote)
Application To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to apply@frff.org. Application review begins after April 1st, 2026. The job will be posted until filled. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Compensation This role is a part time 1099 contracted position. The total compensation is $17,000 annually (to be paid every two weeks per the existing payment schedule or monthly/quarterly based on negotiation). FRFF will consider paying a bonus for outstanding performance above the total compensation number. The expected workload is 10-15 hours per week with a full week during the annual festival. Additionally, there may be night and weekend work to attend film screenings and donor events.
Overview The Development Director is one of two (2) contracted staff members at FRFF and handles responsibilities in three (3) areas: Development, Sponsorships, and Grant Writing. In addition to development + sponsorships, the Development Director partners with the Operations Director to write grants. Additionally, the two staff members closely align to forecast potential increased giving throughout the year.
FRFF is in the process of organizational revisioning and just transitioned to a new building, both of which will allow for increased programming opportunities and growth beyond the winter festival. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about discussing and supporting new programs, fundraising via sponsorships and grants, navigating a changing nonprofit landscape, interfacing with vital stakeholders in the Winona and greater filmmaking community, and wearing many hats.
Duties & Responsibilities Development (40% Time):
Use existing individual giving donor lists to reach out, make an introduction, and connect on a personal level with FRFF sustaining donors
Engage + meet all high dollar donors (those who give more than $500 annually). Curate a relationship with high dollar donors
Participate in monthly Development Committee meetings
Organize an annual schedule for donor touch bases – how many times do we engage our donors? When are we soliciting them for funding?
Brainstorm about an annual donor appreciation event (I.E. Midsummer Meltdown to acknowledge donors)
Use existing individual giving donor lists to target patrons + solicit them to give more money than current levels
Write ‘thank you cards’ for those who increase giving, those who give in response to a specific campaign, etc.
Track individual giving – baseline (when starting), monthly gifts, and note increases throughout the year
Other duties as assigned
Sponsorships (40% Time):
Meet with sponsors + contacts in Winona (~2 days per month) about supporting the festival
Use existing sponsor list to reach out and connect in person with existing sponsors in the Winona area
Generate connections and find additional business donors in Winona
Work with the Artistic Director to brainstorm, reach out, and engage new business donors in Lacrosse, Eau Claire, and the Twin Cities
Help the organization meet fundraising goals set and negotiated between the Operations Director & the FRFF Board of Directors
Help support Operations Director & FRFF board relative to organizational strategy including engaging donors, social media, and publicity
Other duties as assigned
Grant Writing (20% Time):
Assist the Operations Director with grant writing – brainstorming narratives, writing drafts, collating paperwork for submissions, and assisting in writing grant reports
Other duties as assigned
Yearly Division of Labor:
May – April:
Development - 40%
Sponsorships - 40%
Grant Writing - 20%
Preferred Qualifications
2+ years financial management
2+ years fund development and donor stewardship experience (fundraising)
2+ years nonprofit management
2+ years arts management
Background in budget creation and management
Understanding of marketing and strategic planning
Grant writing and reporting experience
Required Qualifications
Strong written and verbal skills
Must have own transportation
Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
Skills
Attention to detail
Self-motivated and self-starter
Consistent follow-through and accountability
Project management
Interpersonal communication
Multi-tasking
Creative & critical thinking
Consensus building
Personnel management and conflict resolution
Public speaking
Creative problem-solving
Cooperative collaborator
Benefits
Flexible schedule
Flexible workspace
8 paid days off – holidays
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About FRFF and Winona, MN Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization presenting an annual winter all-documentary film festival and offering year-round opportunities for people of all ages to connect with and through film and filmmaking. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, FRFF aims to present film experiences that inspire curiosity, connection, and community. FRFF is looking for a Development Director who will help develop the organization’s festival, educational programming, community building, and contribute to the thriving film and arts culture in the charming river valley community of Winona, MN.
Winona, MN is a micropolitan community on the banks of the Mississippi River, situated on Mni Sota Makoce, the ancestral lands of the Dakota people. Winona is a hub of cultural festivals and experiences, highlighting the community’s love of film, art, music, dance, and theater. Home to Winona State University and St. Mary’s University, this idyllic college town enjoys access to nature and outdoor recreation year round. Winona is walkable and home to multiple lakes, over 2,200 acres of public parks, and the picturesque bluffs that surround the city. For more information about the Winona arts scene, please visit: https://visitwinona.com/things-to-do/arts-theatre/.
Location & Modality
Winona, MN
In person requirements multiple times per month + in person for the annual festival (otherwise Remote)
Application To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to apply@frff.org. Application review begins after April 1st, 2026. The job will be posted until filled. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Compensation This role is a part time 1099 contracted position. The total compensation is $17,000 annually (to be paid every two weeks per the existing payment schedule or monthly/quarterly based on negotiation). FRFF will consider paying a bonus for outstanding performance above the total compensation number. The expected workload is 10-15 hours per week with a full week during the annual festival. Additionally, there may be night and weekend work to attend film screenings and donor events.
Overview The Development Director is one of two (2) contracted staff members at FRFF and handles responsibilities in three (3) areas: Development, Sponsorships, and Grant Writing. In addition to development + sponsorships, the Development Director partners with the Operations Director to write grants. Additionally, the two staff members closely align to forecast potential increased giving throughout the year.
FRFF is in the process of organizational revisioning and just transitioned to a new building, both of which will allow for increased programming opportunities and growth beyond the winter festival. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about discussing and supporting new programs, fundraising via sponsorships and grants, navigating a changing nonprofit landscape, interfacing with vital stakeholders in the Winona and greater filmmaking community, and wearing many hats.
Duties & Responsibilities Development (40% Time):
Use existing individual giving donor lists to reach out, make an introduction, and connect on a personal level with FRFF sustaining donors
Engage + meet all high dollar donors (those who give more than $500 annually). Curate a relationship with high dollar donors
Participate in monthly Development Committee meetings
Organize an annual schedule for donor touch bases – how many times do we engage our donors? When are we soliciting them for funding?
Brainstorm about an annual donor appreciation event (I.E. Midsummer Meltdown to acknowledge donors)
Use existing individual giving donor lists to target patrons + solicit them to give more money than current levels
Write ‘thank you cards’ for those who increase giving, those who give in response to a specific campaign, etc.
Track individual giving – baseline (when starting), monthly gifts, and note increases throughout the year
Other duties as assigned
Sponsorships (40% Time):
Meet with sponsors + contacts in Winona (~2 days per month) about supporting the festival
Use existing sponsor list to reach out and connect in person with existing sponsors in the Winona area
Generate connections and find additional business donors in Winona
Work with the Artistic Director to brainstorm, reach out, and engage new business donors in Lacrosse, Eau Claire, and the Twin Cities
Help the organization meet fundraising goals set and negotiated between the Operations Director & the FRFF Board of Directors
Help support Operations Director & FRFF board relative to organizational strategy including engaging donors, social media, and publicity
Other duties as assigned
Grant Writing (20% Time):
Assist the Operations Director with grant writing – brainstorming narratives, writing drafts, collating paperwork for submissions, and assisting in writing grant reports
Other duties as assigned
Yearly Division of Labor:
May – April:
Development - 40%
Sponsorships - 40%
Grant Writing - 20%
Preferred Qualifications
2+ years financial management
2+ years fund development and donor stewardship experience (fundraising)
2+ years nonprofit management
2+ years arts management
Background in budget creation and management
Understanding of marketing and strategic planning
Grant writing and reporting experience
Required Qualifications
Strong written and verbal skills
Must have own transportation
Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
Skills
Attention to detail
Self-motivated and self-starter
Consistent follow-through and accountability
Project management
Interpersonal communication
Multi-tasking
Creative & critical thinking
Consensus building
Personnel management and conflict resolution
Public speaking
Creative problem-solving
Cooperative collaborator
Benefits
Flexible schedule
Flexible workspace
8 paid days off – holidays
#J-18808-Ljbffr