Annual Giving Officer, Baton Circle

Annual Giving Officer Baton Circle

Development Department

Frontline Fundraising

THE ORGANIZATION

The San Francisco Symphony is among the most adventurous and innovative arts institutions in the United States celebrated for its artistic excellence creative performance concepts award-winning recordings and standard-setting education and community engagement programs. Since it was established in 1911 the Symphony has grown in acclaim under a succession of distinguished music directors: Henry Hadley Alfred Hertz Basil Cameron Issay Dobrowen Pierre Monteux Enrique Jordá Josef Krips Seiji Ozawa Edo de Waart Herbert Blomstedt Michael Tilson Thomas and Esa-Pekka May 2026 the Symphony announced Elim Chan as the 13th Music Director in its 115-year history beginning with the 202728 season. One of the most sought-after artists of her generation Elim Chan embodies the spirit of contemporary orchestral leadership with her crystalline precision and expressive zeal.

The San Francisco Symphony presents more than 200 concerts and presentations annually for an audience of nearly 350000 in its home of Davies Symphony Hall and around the Bay Area. The Orchestra performs a robust schedule of core classical concerts from September through June and offers a dynamic mix of holiday programs groundbreaking SoundBox performances chamber concerts guest artist recitals live-to-film presentations popular artist collaborations a month-long summer series and other special events that invite audiences across the Bay Area to connect with the Symphony in ways that resonate with their interests experiences and traditions.

As a cornerstone of its mission the San Francisco Symphony provides some of the most extensive education and community programs offered by any American orchestra. The Symphonys free music education experiences engage students in grades 112 throughout the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) serving more than 25000 students annually.

In 2001 the SF Symphony became the first American orchestra to launch its own in-house record label SFS Media. Recorded live in concert and engineered at Davies Symphony Hall SFS Media recordings showcase music by contemporary composers as well as core classical 2023 the San Francisco Symphony partnered with Apple for the launch of a new classical music streaming app Apple Music Classical and has since released 17 spatial audio recordings of live concert performances through the app. San Francisco Symphony radio broadcasts the first in the nation to feature symphonic music when they began in 1926 today carry the Orchestras concerts across the 2004 the SF Symphony launched the groundbreaking multimedia Keeping Score series on PBS-TV and the web; the series was made available for unlimited free streaming on the Symphonys YouTube channel in 2020. In 2014 the San Francisco Symphony inaugurated SoundBox an experimental and eclectic live music series which takes place in an alternative performance space located backstage at Davies Symphony Hall. For its adventurous programming the Symphony has been honored 19 times by the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers and the Symphonys recordings have garnered Frances Grand Prix du Disque and Britains Gramophone Award as well as 17 Grammy Awards.

JOB SUMMARY

The Annual Giving Officer Baton Circle (AGOBC) reports to the Senior Giving Officer Maestros Circle and is a member of the Individual Giving Team. The AGOBC is a frontline fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of 90-100 Major Gift and Planned Giving prospects that collectively contribute $1.5M - $3.5M annually to the Annual Fund as well as contributions to Special Projects Planned Giving and a comprehensive campaign. The AGOBC is also responsible for the fundraising strategy for the Symphonys Baton Circle a group of donors contributing $5000-$24999 and bringing in approximately $3.5-4 million annually. The AGOBC serves on a team of three who oversee the fundraising strategy for the Symphonys three giving levels: Friends Baton Circle and Maestros Circle.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a Major Gift and Planned Giving portfolio of 90-100 households through identification qualification cultivation solicitation and stewardship totaling $1.5M - $3.5M annually.
• In collaboration with gift officers and the Manager Prospect Research and Development ensure prospect portfolio is routinely updated with contact reports moves management and documentation of milestones in the donors relationship with the Symphony.
• Plan implement and evaluate annual strategy for the Baton Circle including renewal new acquisition upgrades and additional gift requests as well as strategic benefits and fulfilment.
• Create and maintain excellent donor relations. Collaborate with the donor engagement and development operations staff on all membership events and benefits campaign premiums stewardship activities and other membership communications.
• With the Deputy Director Individual Giving and the Senior Giving Officer Maestros Circle govern Baton Circle current and future expenses and revenue and regularly communicate progress toward goal current strategies and ROI.
• With the Senior Giving Officer Maestros Circle and the Annual Giving Officer Friends develop a comprehensive integrated strategy for the movement of donors between the three giving levels to meet income goals and grow the overall donor base.
• Work collaboratively with other Development staff (primarily Prospect Management and Research New Philanthropy and Legacy Giving) to identify new prospects and coordinate strategic cultivation and solicitation steps and activities.
• Partner with the Senior Giving Officer New Philanthropy and Discovery Gift Officer on strategy and management of the Symphonys emerging philanthropist donor community Prelude.
• Author and/or edit funding proposals consistent with Symphony protocols to facilitate effective gift solicitations.
• Maintain a broad knowledge of tax laws that impact charitable giving personal assets and estates.
• Perform additional duties as required by the SFS.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 5-7 years of annual fund and major gift fundraising with a track record of success preferably in the performing arts. Relevant experience outside the nonprofit environment working with high net worth individuals will be considered.
• Proven success in managing a portfolio and cultivating stewarding and soliciting prospects at the $15K level.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to professionally and diplomatically communicate and interact with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to work independently and manage highly detailed tasks.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities and meet deadlines in a high-volume fast-paced environment.
• Committed to success of the symphonic artform and able to communicate thoughtfully and enthusiastically about the work of the San Francisco Symphony.
• Familiarity with and/or passion for orchestral music a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and donor database software. Tessitura preferred.
• Willing to attend concerts and events regularly on nights and weekends.
• Able to travel around the Bay Area and northern California as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The internal and external constituents with whom this position most frequently interacts include:

• Frontline Fundraising team broader Development team
• Education and Orchestra Personnel departments
• Donors and prospects

EEO STATEMENT

In alignment with the values statement above the San Francisco Symphony is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race color religion sex pregnancy (including childbirth lactation and related medical conditions) national origin age physical and mental disability marital status sexual orientation gender identity gender expression genetic information (including characteristics and testing) military and veteran status and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.