Description

SOUNDS Academy is a non-profit music education organization that transforms lives by empowering youth through teaching music and character values, with a commitment to reaching underserved communities. Students receive individual lessons and group classes on all instruments and voice. Instruments are provided to those who cannot afford one. SOUNDS Academy students learn the character values of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork through music education. We teach these values in our Musical Access Program, which connects students to live music and instruments through our Instrument Petting Zoos, our School Programs for lower income schools and community centers, our SOLO Program, which provides one-on-one instruction, and The Collective Ensembles that teach music theory and ensemble playing techniques.

Mission: SOUNDS Academy transforms lives by empowering youth through teaching music and character values, with a commitment to reaching underserved communities.
Vision: One day, every child, regardless of their zip code, will have access to the transformative impact of music education and character development, in order to foster personal growth and strengthen communities.
Values: We value and teach the character values of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork through music education.

Donor Experience Administrator
The Donor Experience Administrator is responsible for developing a diverse and sustainable funding base to meet our financial goals now while preparing for future growth.

This role is an excellent opportunity for candidates who are skilled and have a strong track record in setting and achieving goals in a fast-paced environment. If you love pursuing strategy and goals, writing, details, deadlines, and tracking progress along the way, this may be the role for you!  For an eager and committed learner, the technical fundraising skills can be learned on the job.

The Donor Experience Administrator will work hand in hand with the CEO, who is deeply engaged in fundraising as well. The Donor Experience Administrator is responsible for some of the front facing elements of fundraising, including stewarding donors, leading fundraising campaigns, and seeking sponsorships as well as some of the back facing elements of fundraising including completing smaller grants, submitting grant reports, and strategizing. The Donor Experience Administrator will manage and grow a portfolio of donors, which they will manage directly.

What You’ll Do
     Set and Achieve Fundraising Goals
          o    Set and achieve annual fundraising goal overall and goals by funding streams (foundations, corporations, individuals, in-kind)
          o    Steward our donors’ experiences with a goal to retain/renew 60% of donors annually
          o    Work with team members to track progress, produce reports, and communicate trends

     Run the overall development operation using best practices and effective development tools
          o    Fundraising Plan
          o    Weighted pipeline
          o    Donor acknowledgements
          o    Tracking systems (analytics)

     Connect with the Community
          o    Directly manage a portfolio of gifts, grants, and sponsorships
          o    Lead Fundraising Campaigns
     Manage up to the CEO to ensure larger donors are stewarded effectively.
     Invite supporters and steward their experiences at SOUNDS Academy events, such as the Speakeasy and Benefit Concert
     Attend outreach events to connect with the community

To Apply
Please submit a 1-page letter describing your interest in this position, a 1-page professional writing sample that speaks to the skills required, and your resume to info@soundsacademy.org by December 20, 2025.

The full-time, exempt salary for this position is $55,000-$65,000. SOUNDS Academy offers health benefits, Employee Assistance Program, progressive paid time off starting at 5 days in year 1, paid sick leave, and 11 week-day holidays throughout the year. This is a hybrid (work remote and in-person) position, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Donor Experience Administrator will also need to plan to attend in-person meetings with staff and potential donors throughout the city of Phoenix.

SOUNDS Academy provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender (including pregnancy and childbirth), national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by federal, Arizona, or local laws and ordinances. SOUNDS Academy will ensure the fulfillment of this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation and benefits, social and recreational programs, discipline, termination and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with all applicable federal, Arizona, and local laws and ordinances.

Finally, thank you for taking the time to read this job description. We’re looking forward to getting to know you.

Requirements

Must-Have Skills and Talents
     - Systems Thinker and Visionary: You think and operate in systems that allow you to see the big picture and every detail of the funding campaign as well as how they fit together.  While you’re grounded in the current reality, you don’t accept it as a limitation for the future.
     - Continuous Learner: You’re committed to identifying what you need to learn and growing quickly.  In this dynamic and growing organization, our fundraising strategy will evolve quickly to capture new opportunities.
     Organizational Stewardship: You center the mission and goals of the organization in all of the decisions that you make.  You proactively identify and solve areas where program and fundraising are in tension with one another, and find solutions that work for all stakeholders.
     Drive to Achieve Results: You do what you need to do to achieve your goals, including being open with your manager about where you need help, anticipating problems, brainstorming solutions, driving work forward, and course correcting where needed.
     Creative Problem Solving: Proactively develop solutions to challenges and roadblocks, including by constantly looking at big picture progress across programs and flagging potential upcoming challenges.
     Team Player and Proactive Communicator: You value relationships, both with the team and board at SOUNDS and also in the community.  You demonstrate respect for colleagues and partners through proactive communication.  You commit to no surprises.