Manager, Corporate Philanthropy

MANAGER, CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY

About Music Will

Music Will runs the largest nonprofit music education program in the U.S. public school system. We transform lives by transforming music education.

 Using genres including rock, pop, Latin, and hip hop, our program empowers teachers to build music programs as diverse as the kids they serve. As a result, students see themselves reflected in their classes, which strengthens their connection to their school, their peers, and their community. Music Will also donates necessary instruments and curriculum, meeting a key need of many school music programs. 

Since 2002, Music Will has served more than 1,800,000 students in more than 6,000 schools in over 1,000 cities and communities across 50 states with highly inclusive and culturally responsive music education. Today, over 1 million kids currently participate in Music Will programs. Learn more here: www.musicwill.org. 

Summary of the Opportunity 

At Music Will (“MW”), growing the corporate philanthropy program is vital to scaling the organization’s fundraising efforts. The Manager, Corporate Philanthropy is an essential role to expanding MW’s corporate giving program by identifying and cultivating new corporate partnerships, responding to in-bound requests and opportunities, and deepening existing relationships that align with and advance the organization’s mission and fundraising goals. They will also collaborate with internal teams and external partners to plan music classroom activities and makeovers funded by corporate donations (“corporate activations”) and employee and volunteer engagement opportunities. 

Reporting to the Director, Corporate Philanthropy and Events, the Manager, Corporate Philanthropy will be a part of the organization’s Growth Team (development department), which includes Philanthropy, Institutional Giving, and Events. This role requires both strategic-thinking and hands-on execution to grow MW’s fundraising efforts among corporations. They will play a key role in driving forward new revenue opportunities while ensuring corporate partners have a meaningful, mission-aligned experience with Music Will. 

Responsibilities

Corporate Prospecting & Solicitation 

• Proactively identify, research and cultivate new corporate partners by conducting targeted outreach to assess alignment, interest, and long-term funding potential with Music Will’s mission and growth goals.
• Liaise with fundraising relationship managers (CEO, Chief Growth Officer, Director, Corporate Philanthropy & Events) and the Program and MarComm teams to prepare tailored corporate activation proposals, create sponsorship materials, and contribute to outreach strategies and pitch presentations. 
• Work closely with the Growth Team to develop corporate revenue forecasts, evaluate trends and opportunities, and deliver data-driven reporting that inform organization-wide fundraising strategy. 
• Steward and support existing corporate partnerships to strengthen engagement and grow year-over-year giving, collaborating with the Growth team to align cultivation, reporting, engagement opportunities, and renewal strategies.
• Help drive the planning and execution of onsite corporate activations and employee/volunteer engagement activities around the country - including classroom revitalization service days, corporate sponsored artist school visits, instrument deliveries and music-making workshops. 
  • Collaborate with internal Growth and Program teams, as well as external stakeholders, teachers and school administrators, to craft detailed day-of-schedules (including run of show for school assemblies), manage budget and expenses, and identify supply needs for classrooms and the coordination of instrument deliveries. Approximately 5 to 6 per year. Travel required.
• Partner with the MarComm team to publicize gifts, corporate activations and other engagement activities that advance philanthropic relationships and elevate Music Will’s visibility. 
• Maintain corporate portfolio and relevant documents related to activations in Salesforce, leveraging the database to track prospects, ensure continued stewardship, timely communication, post-event/activation follow-up, and progress towards closing gifts; 
• Support donor cultivation and fundraising events in key programmatic markets as needed.

Skills, Experiences, and Qualifications

About You 

The ideal candidate will bring a diverse set of skills, characteristics, and experiences - both professional and lived. At Music Will, we strive to mitigate inherent biases that influence hiring practices by focusing on a holistic view of potential candidates and understanding that no single candidate will offer every desired skill and characteristic.

Studies have shown that women, people of color, and individuals with disabilities or a neurodivergence may hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. At Music Will, we value diverse experiences and perspectives, and if this role excites you, we encourage you to apply—even if your background doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement.

The ideal candidate would demonstrate:

• Mission-aligned relationship building and emotional intelligence
• Clear, proactive communication and strong listening skills
• High organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities
• Team-oriented mindset with experience navigating cross-functional collaboration

Required Skills and Experiences 

• At least 4-7 years of experience in corporate philanthropy, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, cause marketing or brand partnerships, and/or nonprofit fundraising.
• Proven track record of securing $25k gifts and above
• Familiarity with corporate giving trends and the philanthropic landscape.
• Comfortable negotiating partnership/sponsorship terms, recognition, and deliverables.
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral), and to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in-person and virtually.
• A successful track record of leading and managing projects and activities with cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities where processes and/or systems may not be fully defined or developed, and multiple projects happening simultaneously.
• Experience with CRM databases such as Salesforce.
• Proficiency with Google Suite (especially Sheets), and Microsoft Office applications.
• Comfortable working and building relationships in a fully remote environment.

Preferred Skills and Experiences 

• Relevant certifications and/or degrees in nonprofit management/administration, fundraising.
• Salesforce experience. 
• Experience as a music maker is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary range for this position is $77,707-$82,278 per year. Music Will is committed to its
team and strives to offer employees a competitive compensation package that reflects the
organization’s values, culture, and mission. Salary is in accordance with Music Will’s competitive
compensation and career path plan.

Benefits

• Benefit package (medical, dental, vision), up to 100% paid for employee coverage
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account Options    
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance 
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with 3% match after 90 days of service
• Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 
• Discretionary Time Off policy, 10 paid holidays, and company-wide office closure from December 24th through January 1st
• Flexible work arrangements
• Monthly remote work stipend

Additionally, we provide employees with a laptop, monitor, docking station, and peripherals for business use.

Location and Travel

This is a full-time position, based remotely. Occasional travel will be required, including being on site for MW’s annual Benefit event each spring, the annual Modern Band Summit each summer, staff retreat, as well as attending select corporate activations, funder site visits, and other events as needed, approximately 5-8 times per year.

Working at Music Will – Our Workplace Values

Our organizational values are our fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that shape our culture, influence our decision-making, and define how our team interacts, works, and leads. Our values are:

1. Belonging: We create welcoming spaces of acceptance and forge authentic relationships.
2. Integrity: We act with transparency, consistency, and accountability, upholding our commitment to youth thriving.
3. Growth: We embrace curiosity, reflection, and creativity to promote personal and collective development.
4. Joy: Together, we build a culture that inspires and promotes well-being and fun.

Music Will is committed to recruiting and maintaining a diverse staff; individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We promote a healthy and safe workspace as we work together to foster success for generations to come. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parenthood, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

This employer participates in E-Verify.

Applications will be accepted until January 27, 2026.