Cheteyan Advancement Fellow

Gulfshore Playhouse, a mission-driven, professional theatre company located in Naples, Florida, is seeking an Advancement Fellow. The newly developed program offers late-college or early-career professionals an immersive experience working at the intersection of fundraising, donor cultivation and stewardship, and event planning in a dynamic nonprofit arts environment.

Gulfshore Playhouse offers a diverse season of straight plays and musicals ranging from venerated classics and Broadway hits to contemporary works and world premieres. The Playhouse is passionately committed to producing high-quality, professional theatre which exceeds the expectations of the cultured residents and visitors of Naples, FL, many of whom are regular theatre patrons in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. 

Gulfshore Playhouse recently opened the Baker Theatre and Education Center, a state-of-the-art facility, featuring a 368-seat Broadway-sized mainstage, a 125-seat flexible space, rehearsal studios, classrooms, and rental space.  In 2022, Gulfshore Playhouse became nationally recognized as the 77^th member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). This is an extraordinarily exciting time for the Playhouse, which is experiencing unprecedented growth.

Position Summary
The Advancement Fellow will support the theatre’s Advancement team, gaining hands-on experience in donor relations, fundraising, stewardship, and event planning. This two-month, full-time fellowship provides an opportunity to develop professional skills, deepen understanding of nonprofit fundraising, and work directly with theatre administrators to advance the mission of Gulfshore Playhouse. Housing and a weekly stipend are included.

Fellows will have a multi-layered support system including:

• Executive Learning opportunities with C-Suite and Director level staff
• A dedicated training manager who will assist in the establishment of SMART goals
• A supervisor who will track goals and be responsible for the learning experience
• A mentor who oversees the department
• Access and exposure to program donors

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation of donor communications, proposals, and stewardship materials.
• Support event planning for donor receptions, opening nights, and special events.
• Conduct prospect research and data entry to help identify and cultivate new donors.
• Collaborate with the team on Annual Fund, Capital Campaign, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Assist with tracking and acknowledgment of contributions, including thank-you letters and reports.
• Help coordinate donor benefits and experiences to ensure excellent stewardship and hospitality.
• Provide general administrative support to the Advancement team and participate in interdepartmental projects.

Qualifications

• Current college student, recent graduate, or emerging professional with an interest in philanthropy, arts administration, fundraising, or nonprofit management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
  Highly organized, collaborative, and eager to learn about donor relations and fundraising strategy.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and comfortable learning CRM or donor database systems.
• Flexible, professional, and enthusiastic about contributing to the mission of Gulfshore Playhouse.

Details

• Duration: 2 months – June 1, 2026 – August 2, 2026
• Location: Naples, Florida
• $300 Travel Stipend
• Compensation: Furnished housing provided +$300 weekly stipend
  

How to Apply
Please submit a resume, transcript, statement of interest, cover letter, and two written recommendations to jobs@gulfshoreplayhouse.org  with subject line Advancement Fellowship.

Applications are open now and will close January 30, 2026, and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Final hiring decisions will be made by March 13, 2026.