INSTITUTIONAL GIVING SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION 
 

Department: Advancement 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Work Location: Primarily onsite with some remote work  

FT/PT: Full-time 

Last Revision Date: June 6, 2025 
 

How to apply: A cover letter is required for consideration of this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address:  

• Your specific interest in the position and working at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra 
• Outline your skills and experience that directly relate to the responsibilities of the role
  
  The Organization: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is known internationally for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep commitment to serving our community. Making its home in historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO actively pursues its vision to be an inclusive and culturally relevant community where all people can experience their world through music. 
   

The DSO is a complex organization. Operating 365 days per year in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, we are a performing arts institution, an educational facility, and a community center. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors and employ both union and non-union employees as musicians, stage crew, and administrative staff. Creating a unified culture throughout the institution is an organizational imperative, and we are guided by our values of excellence, diversity, resilience, collaboration, and innovation. The DSO is also deeply invested in the city of Detroit; through our Detroit Strategy initiative, we are expanding the DSO’s participation in the growth and well-being of the city.  
 
The DSO offers a unique, fast-paced working environment, an excellent overall compensation package, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information visit www.dso.org. 
 

Position Summary: The Institutional Giving Specialist plays a key role in advancing the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s foundation, corporate, and government fundraising efforts. Working closely with the Director and Manager of Institutional Giving, the Specialist is responsible for grant writing, project management, and partnership stewardship across a portfolio of donors that support the DSO’s artistic, educational, and community programs. 
 

This role combines strong writing and research skills with a detail-oriented, collaborative mindset. The Specialist will manage a pipeline of grant deadlines, oversee timely and accurate reporting, and serve as a liaison to program staff to ensure effective communication of impact. This position is ideal for a candidate who is passionate about the arts and eager to support a dynamic and mission-driven advancement team. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

Grant Writing & Reporting 
• Draft, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports for foundation, corporate, and government donors 
• Collaborate with program staff, finance, and leadership to gather content, budgets, and supporting materials 
• Maintain an up-to-date calendar of deadlines and deliverables to ensure timely submissions 
• Ensure accurate and timely tracking of all proposals and reports in Tessitura and grant management systems 
 

Project Management 
• Maintain organized records of institutional gifts, requirements, and partnership history 
• Coordinate internal timelines for proposal development and reporting, facilitating input from multiple departments 
• Support cross-functional efforts to prepare investment packages and donor-facing materials 
• Assist in the preparation of fundraising updates, dashboards, and analytics for internal and board reporting 
 

Partnership Stewardship & Fulfillment 
• Ensure funder deliverables including recognition, benefits, invitations, and event participation are fulfilled with care and professionalism 
• Coordinate with Marketing & Communications to ensure accurate branding and public recognition of funders 
• Support donor engagement activities such as site visits, program observations, and donor events 
• Develop customized stewardship materials to demonstrate impact and reinforce long-term partnership goals 
 

Cross-Departmental Collaboration 
• Work closely with artistic, education, and finance staff to align institutional asks with programmatic priorities 
• Serve as a resource for internal teams in developing materials that support funding opportunities 
• Participate in team meetings and cross-departmental planning efforts as needed 

• Staff at minimum three two concerts in the Herman & Sharon Frankel Donor Lounge each month 

• Perform other duties as assigned, in support of the DSO’s fundraising functions. 

Required Qualifications 

• 2+ years of experience in grant writing, nonprofit fundraising, or related field 
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills 
• Strong organizational and project management skills with keen attention to detail 
• Experience with donor databases, CRM platforms, or grant tracking systems 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently 
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal communication skills 
• Interest in classical music, education, or the nonprofit arts sector 

Desired Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience 
• Experience with Tessitura or similar donor database 
• Familiarity with nonprofit budgeting and financial reporting 
• Comfort working across departments and with external partners or funders 
 

Additional Information:  

• This is a salaried, non-union position. 

• Successful candidates must be available to work a varying schedule, including nights and weekends, to meet the needs of funding partners and prospects. 

• All positions at the DSO require the successful completion of a background check prior to beginning employment. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify candidates. 

Physical Requirements: This role primarily works in an office environment and frequently has prolonged periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen. 
 
Primary Reporting Responsibility: Manager of Institutional Giving 

Direct Reports: N/A 

If an accommodation is needed to ensure your successful participation in the  

application or interview process, please reach out to hr@dso.org for assistance. 

About Detroit Symphony Orchestra

The acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. Led by Music Director Jader Bignamini since 2020, the DSO makes its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, offering a performance schedule that features the PVS Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in metro area venues, as well as eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a live radio broadcast of a concert and continues today with the groundbreaking Live from Orchestra Hall series of free webcasts. Since its first school concerts a century ago, and particularly since the founding of the Civic Youth Ensembles in 1970, the DSO has been a national leader in bringing the benefits of music education to students, teachers, and families in D...etroit and surrounding communities. The DSO remains committed to expanding its participation in the growth and well-being of Detroit through programs like its Detroit Neighborhood Initiative—cultural events co-created with community partners and residents—and Detroit Harmony, a promise to provide an instrument and instruction to any student in the city who wants to learn. With unwavering support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact lives through the power of unforgettable musical experiences.

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