Development Associate

Community Access to the Arts

Development Associate

 

Community Access to the Arts (CATA) is an innovative, award-winning nonprofit arts organization that nurtures creativity, connection, and community. Through high-quality visual, performing, and literary arts programs, CATA empowers people with disabilities to express themselves, develop artistically and personally, and share their work with the community.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an early-career professional interested in nonprofit fundraising or arts administration. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, curious, eager to learn, and excited to build a career in the nonprofit sector while contributing to an organization that is transforming lives through the arts. You will have the opportunity to learn and to develop professionally within a successful, highly-regarded mission-based organization surrounded by exceptional colleagues.

This position plays a key role in advancing CATA's fundraising efforts by maintaining the integrity of donor data and providing outstanding administrative support to the Development team. Reporting to the Development Director, the Development Associate helps support special events, donor communications, and day-to-day operations to create a seamless and meaningful donor experience and ensure CATA's fundraising success. The Development Associate bears responsibility for accurate gift processing, thoughtful donor communications, meticulous database management, and administrative support.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position based at CATA's offices in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Data Entry & Record Maintenance: Actively enter data into organizational database and maintain records, accurately entering gifts, pledges and donor information with scrupulous attention to detail and in a timely manner; ensure consistency and accuracy across records; and perform routine data cleanup to actively ensure health and accuracy of CATA's database records.
• Donor Acknowledgment & Stewardship: Prepare and coordinate timely, accurate, and personalized donor acknowledgments and communications with exceptional attention to detail. Ensure correspondence reflects donor intent, is carefully proofread, and is tracked to completion.
• Annual Gala & Special Events: Support the planning and execution of CATA's Annual Gala and other special events by managing guest and RSVP data, preparing event materials, providing on-site logistical support, and maintaining accurate event records to ensure a welcoming and seamless experience for attendees. Represent CATA with professionalism and warmth in all donor interactions.
• Administrative & Project Support: Provide administrative and project support for the Development team by preparing donor, board, and committee materials; coordinating donor mailings and outreach projects; maintaining organized records; and ensuring the team has the resources and materials needed to operate efficiently.
• Calendar & Team Support: Support donor meeting scheduling and development activities, prepare welcoming and professional spaces and materials for donor visits, and provide reliable administrative support to help the Development team meet deadlines and advance fundraising priorities efficiently.
• Communication and External Mailings: Create reports and segmented lists to support mailings, eBlasts, appeals, invitations and other projects; support planning and execution of development-related mailings, including stuffing notes, stamping and sealing envelopes, and related database entry.
• Other Fundraising Activities: Support special fundraising projects as needed including capital campaigns, and conduct other relevant duties to support the broader mission of CATA as required, and other duties as assigned.

 

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• 1-3 years experience in nonprofit fundraising preferred, with demonstrated success in detailed data entry; experience in CRM software including Bloomerang a plus
• Proven expertise in Google Suite, MS Office, project management tools, and other fundraising technology
• Excellent time management, organizational planning, and administrative skills
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team setting with a positive attitude, embracing curiosity, active listening, and ongoing learning
• Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment
• Some knowledge of and an openness to learn fundraising best practices
• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people and stakeholders with ease, discretion, and diplomacy and to exercise cultural competence and inclusion
• Must have reliable transportation to Great Barrington, MA. This is an in-person role. Local travel is required to attend CATA events, with mileage reimbursement available.
• Some nights and weekends are required.

 

Benefits and Compensation

The Development Associate is a full-time, non-exempt position. Starting annual salary is $52,200. An excellent benefits package includes:

• CATA pays 100% of employees' health, dental and vision insurance premiums with no waiting period
• Family health, dental and vision packages
• Retirement savings program of 401k plan with 4% employer match
• Generous paid vacation (prorated two weeks; increasing to three weeks after second year, plus separate sick time)
• Paid holidays including all federal holidays plus days before and after Thanksgiving; two extra December days, two floating religious holidays, birthday holiday, and extra "restorative days"
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage; Life insurance; Paid family leave; Mileage reimbursement for qualifying travel; CATA is a qualified employer under the PSLF federal student loan forgiveness plan
• Active participation in a mission-driven organization with a strong impact on the community and a positive, inclusive team culture rooted in curiosity, generosity, and accountability.

 

How To Apply: Candidates should send a resume and a cover letter that describes how their qualifications and experience match the position. Your cover letter will be viewed as a writing sample. All inquiries and materials will be confidential.

Apply by: August 28, 2026

Salary: $52,200 annually plus generous benefits package

About Community Access to the Arts

Community Access to the Arts (CATA) is a trailblazing nonprofit that nurtures and celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities through the arts. In powerful arts programs, people with disabilities express themselves creatively, developing personally and artistically through dance, theater, music, painting, yoga, creative writing, and more. Their vibrant work is showcased in CATA's public performances, readings, and art exhibits, presented in collaboration with premier cultural institutions in the Berkshires including The Clark Art Institute, Shakespeare & Company, and The Mount.

CATA has dramatically expanded its programs and impact in recent years through robust partnerships with 65 community-based organizations, including disability agencies, residences, and schools, to serve over 1,300 CATA artists annually. Programs focus especially on people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and brain injuries–historically among the most underserved groups in the arts–and are taught by a professional faculty of talented teaching artists, all experts in their artistic fields.

Located in Great Barrington MA, CATA has an annual budget of $3.2M and is led by a dedicated team of 23 full-time staff, including eight resident faculty. CATA prizes its intentional organizational culture, which is characterized by collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to innovation, bold thinking, and excellence. CATA has been widely recognized for its groundbreaking work through the Mackenzie Scott Yield Giving national grant award, Massachusetts Cultural Council Commonwealth Award, NEPR Arts & Humanities Award, Mass Nonprofit Network Excellence Award, 1Berkshire Trendsetter Award, and the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative.

CATA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. CATA welcomes people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, gender identities, religions, ages, and sexual orientations to apply.