Advancement Associate

Advancement Associate

The Rock School for Dance Education

Reports to: Managing Director and Chief Administrative and Content Officer
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Management Responsibilities: None
Salary Range: 42,500–45,000, based on experience and education, plus benefits

Position Summary

The Advancement Associate plays a key role in supporting and executing The Rock School for Dance Education’s fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and advancement activities. Working closely with the Managing Director, Chief Administrative and Content Officer, and other School leadership, this position helps generate contributed revenue through individual giving, corporate and foundation support, annual campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship.

The Advancement Associate is responsible for the accurate management of donor information and gift processing, execution of annual fundraising campaigns, Gala support, donor communications, and other administrative functions that support the School’s advancement efforts. The position requires a highly organized, detail-oriented individual who can independently manage multiple projects while working collaboratively across departments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Donor Relations, Gift Processing and Stewardship

• Process gifts accurately and promptly using Airtable and GiveSmart and maintain complete donor records.
• Prepare acknowledgments, thank-you letters, donor correspondence, and other stewardship communications.
• Maintain accurate donor contact, giving, participation, and relationship information.
• Assist with strategies to cultivate, engage, recognize, and retain donors.
• Track and coordinate donor and sponsor benefits, including complimentary Enchanted Nutcracker tickets and other recognition opportunities.
• Maintain Board dues records, track annual commitments and payments, distribute pledge forms, and follow up with Trustees as appropriate.

Annual Giving and Fundraising Campaigns

• Coordinate annual fundraising initiatives, including Giving Tuesday and the End of Year Campaign.
• Prepare mailing lists, donor segmentation, mail merges, email communications, and follow-up materials.
• Utilize GiveSmart, Jackrabbit, Airtable, and other systems to identify and segment donors, families, alumni, and prospects.
• Coordinate both digital and direct-mail fundraising campaigns.
• Work with Marketing to develop campaign messaging, images, social media content, and donor communications.
• Assist with corporate sponsorship, foundation outreach, grant preparation, reporting, and tracking of organizational metrics.

Gala and Special Events

• Support the planning and execution of the School’s annual Gala and other fundraising and donor cultivation events.
• Maintain and configure the Gala GiveSmart platform, including tickets, auction items, donor information, and related event functions.
• Solicit live and silent auction donations from businesses, families, supporters, and community partners.
• Maintain auction solicitation records and enter donated items into Airtable and GiveSmart.
• Coordinate Gala invitation lists and mailings.
• Assist with event logistics, guest lists, sponsor benefits, donor recognition, and follow-up.
• Develop relationships with existing and prospective auction donors, corporate partners, and sponsors.

Database, Research and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and timely information in the School’s donor CRM and advancement systems.
• Generate reports to monitor fundraising results, donor activity, campaign performance, and giving trends.
• Research current and prospective donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical development records.
• Review and update historical donor records to identify potential renewed relationships, corporate connections, and fundraising prospects.

Development Communications

• Coordinate quarterly development newsletters using Constant Contact.
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop fundraising-related content for newsletters, social media, email campaigns, and the School’s website.
• Help communicate the impact of scholarships, RockReach, student accomplishments, performances, and other School initiatives to donors and supporters.
• Ensure development communications are consistent with The Rock School’s mission, branding, and institutional messaging.
• Work closely with the grant writer to maintain the grant calendar, track funding opportunities, and ensure all application, renewal, and reporting deadlines are met.

Administrative and School Support

• Maintain and monitor the annual Development/Advancement calendar.
• Provide administrative support to the Managing Director, Chief Admin and Content Officer, and other staff as needed.
• Work with vendors and outside partners as assigned.
• Attend Development, Advancement, Gala, and related meetings.
• Manage building key-fob records and distribution for staff, students, contractors, and vendors, including activation, access schedules, replacements, and recordkeeping.
• Support and maintain additional fundraising opportunities and programs, including the School’s car donation program.
• Up to 10 hours per week may be assigned to the front entry desk, greeting students, families, visitors, and vendors while completing Development responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience.
• Two to three years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, communications, events, or a related field preferred.
• Excellent organizational and project-management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with donors, families, Trustees, colleagues, vendors, and community partners.
• Experience with donor databases or CRM systems such as GiveSmart, Raiser’s Edge, or similar platforms.
• Experience with Airtable, Constant Contact or similar email marketing platforms, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office preferred.
• Ability to learn and effectively use multiple database and administrative systems.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Discretion and professionalism when handling donor and organizational information.
• Passion for the arts and commitment to The Rock School’s mission.
• Knowledge of the professional dance field is a plus.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances, fundraising events, and other School activities.

ABOUT THE ROCK SCHOOL

Mission

The Rock School develops the whole dancer, enabling students to reach the highest standards of technique and artistry in a nurturing, supportive environment that elevates the art form, the dancer, and the audience.
 

The Rock School: Past and Present

The Rock School for Dance Education, founded in 1963, is known for developing elite dancers. The world’s best young artists travel from six continents to study with its storied faculty. Long a Philadelphia cultural treasure, the school is also an integral part of its neighborhood through its many welcoming educational and community programs.

A Northeastern University study published in the October 2023 issue of Scientific Reports named The Rock School for Dance Education the top ballet school among 1,603 U.S. ballet academies studied. The study analyzed data from 6,363 ballet students over 21 years to explore the relationship between where students trained and their success in Youth America Grand Prix competitions and later professional dance careers. More students from The Rock School achieved success than those from any other American school.

Today, The Rock School trains more than 400 young dancers between its Philadelphia and West Chester locations. The students represent 17 countries from six continents, with more than 80 teens enrolled in the exclusive Professional Division. Many students receive their college-prep academic education alongside advanced ballet classes, all while living in The Rock School’s dormitory. In all, the school offers more than 200 weekly ballet classes to students aged 3 to 19, comprising a student body that is nearly one-third young people of color.

Summer Intensives, offered June through August, have grown in number and scope to become one of the world’s largest summer ballet camps. More than 725 young people worldwide come to Philadelphia for the annual Coaching Intensive (two weeks), Junior Intensive (two weeks), Contemporary Intensive (two weeks), and the flagship Ballet Intensive (five weeks). The Rock School’s professional faculty joins a roster of guest artists from the top ballet and contemporary dance companies and schools to create an impactful experience that often has lasting, positive effects.

Since 2000, The Rock School for Dance’s RockReach has partnered with under-resourced Philadelphia schools serving economically disadvantaged neighborhoods to bring impactful dance and music instruction to children who would not otherwise experience arts education. RockReach comprises the in-school Residency Program, after-school Engagement and Immersion Programs, and sensory-friendly The Enchanted Nutcracker performances that open the performing arts world to 2,400+ young people across Philadelphia.

Peter Stark’s The Enchanted Nutcracker, a family-focused adaptation of the classic holiday ballet, is presented annually in December at professional theatres in Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr. The shortened production features dancers from the school in all roles, exquisite sets and costumes, and just enough narration to help young theatergoers understand the plot. A sensory-friendly performance is offered to RockReach students, both in rehearsal and on stage. Lower ticket prices eliminate the attendance barrier for economically disadvantaged audiences, ensuring thousands of local people can enjoy this beloved holiday tradition.

Graduates of The Rock School find employment with premier dance companies and gain acceptance to top universities. Rock students continue to receive high honors in prestigious competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet Competitions, and the USA International Ballet Competition. The Rock School is proud to award nearly $1.6 million in annual scholarships, enabling both students with financial need and those with exceptional talent to reach their artistic potential.

RockReach / Commitment to the Community

Since 2000, The Rock School for Dance’s RockReach has partnered with under-resourced Philadelphia schools serving economically disadvantaged neighborhoods to bring impactful dance and music instruction to children who would not otherwise experience arts education. RockReach comprises the in-school Residency Program, after-school Engagement and Immersion Programs, and sensory-friendly Enchanted Nutcracker performances that open the performing arts world to 2,400+ young people across Philadelphia.

The Residency Program, RockReach’s foundational in-school arts course, brings free dance and music instruction to 26 classrooms in 11 School District of Philadelphia institutions. The K-12 classes involve 560 children in immersive, highly participatory 45-minute sessions each week, over at least 32 weeks of the school year. The Program includes in-school instruction, field trips, student performances, and a graduation event for parents and caregivers.

Students grow through creative movement and bucket drumming, using an adaptable, updated curriculum aligned with each school's social-emotional and learning goals. The integrated curriculum and inspiring professional educators guide students to realize their physical, intellectual, and emotional abilities through artistic engagement. Children learn creativity, independence, teamwork, leadership roles, and problem-solving skills as they experience the performing arts.

The RockReach curriculum is designed in tandem with each school’s teachers and administrators and regularly refreshed in response to changing communities and priorities. Overarching Program goals, updated in 2025, focus on movement, performance, and leadership objectives. 2026 brought new curricula in kindergarten and first grade, emphasizing leadership and independence development. The middle school curriculum updates include the performance of African beats, formerly used only with special education students. And, high school students with physical disabilities now incorporate poetry to enhance movement and music skills.

The Residency Program is diverse and inclusive, with nearly 100% of students coming from families living below the federal poverty line. Sixty-six percent of the RockReach faculty are people of color, serving children who comprise 49% Black, 25% Hispanic, 14% Caucasian, 8% Asian, and 5% multi-racial. The Program engages students with special needs and those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), including students who are non-verbal, have Autism Spectrum Disorder, have mobility impairments, and are blind or have low vision. Currently, 21% of students learn with guidance from an IEP.

The Engagement Program, a groundbreaking, immersive after-school experience, was launched in 2024. This free program brings 20 first- and second-grade students from Vare-Washington School and Universal Institute Charter School to The Rock School every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon during the school year. The children take dance classes, work on their homework during supervised study time, and eat snacks and a full dinner in The Rock School’s café. Engagement opens a creative world adjacent to academic study, childhood development, and nutrition for children who live right in the neighborhood.

The success of the Engagement Program led to the creation of the Immersion Program in 2025. Second- and third-grade students from the same neighborhood schools continue their free after-school arts education as part of The Rock School’s Ballet Division. Thirteen young people take three dance classes over two afternoons, marking the successful beginning of The Rock School’s integration into its neighborhood as a true part of South Philadelphia's fabric.

Each December, RockReach offers two opportunities for students to experience The Rock School’s The Enchanted Nutcracker. First, 85 children with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, those with pronounced Autism Spectrum Disorder, and those with multiple disabilities, come to The Rock School to watch a sensory-friendly, in-studio rehearsal of Enchanted Nutcracker. Days later, 1,800+ children in RockReach schools attend a sensory-friendly production of the show in the Miller Theater. The experience is enhanced through a detailed study guide, narration throughout the show, and buses for transportation. Both performances make allowances for student needs to create a positive artistic experience.

The RockReach program empowers young people through arts participation, fostering artistic and personal growth, and school and community engagement. Students learn to build on their artistic discoveries and experiences to create a world of opportunities as they grow into successful, active, and educated adults.