Director of Development

New Art Center

Job Description

The New Art Center is a community art education space which offers everyone, at all levels of ability, exceptional opportunities to make, exhibit, view, think about and talk about art. Since 1977, New Art has built community by lowering barriers to participation in the arts, and integrating the experience of art into everyday life. Today, we envision the New Art Center as a highly visible, bold, anti-racist, inclusive leader in art education and community building that serves the greater Boston community with programs and opportunities for all ages both in our facility and beyond our walls. New Art serves over 3,000+ students annually in hundreds of classes and workshops which are taught by  some of the region’s most esteemed art educators. New Art offers a supportive culture that takes art and artists seriously. 
 
The Director of Development, reporting to the Executive Director, will lead and implement all fundraising initiatives, in support of the advancement of the New Art Center’s Annual and Strategic Goals. As an integral member of the senior management team, the Director of Development will play an active role as a thought leader in planning and communicating New Art’s vision, and planning for a capital campaign which in turn will be leveraged to garner major support from individuals and institutions in Newton and the Greater Boston region. The Director of Development will grow the current culture of philanthropy within the New Art Center by expanding and implementing the New Art Center’s overall fundraising efforts as well as managing and executing the day-to-day activities for the development department.  This is primarily an in-person office position.

Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with the Executive Director to create an annual development plan which increases revenues to support the strategic direction of the organization that includes:  Major Gifts, Annual Appeals, Membership, Individual and Corporate Giving program. 
  • Work with the Executive Director and Marketing & Communications Manager to create a communication plan to promote the New Art Center and enhance engagement with fundraising activities
  • Identify, cultivate, and solicit major donor prospects; work with Executive Director and board to expand potential donor base for major donors and corporate supporters
  • Work with the Executive Director and board to plan and implement programs and special events, including an annual fundraising Gala, to maximize prospect/donor engagement. 
  • Cultivate and steward major donors by building relationships through phone calls, personalized emails, individual visits, event attendance and other communication(s)
  • Create and implement two annual appeals including direct mail and digital components. 
  • Facilitate New Art’s Corporate Sponsorship program, working with board members and fellow staff to identify new prospects, solicit current and new corporate donors, and steward them with sponsorship benefits and authentic relationships.  Develop authentic relationships with local and regional businesses to expand in-kind donations and sponsorship opportunities
  • Set the stage for work with a capital campaign consultant in alignment with the Strategic Goals in collaboration with outside counsel, as needed
  • Develop planned giving initiatives and recognition programs that magnify the legacy that individuals will leave on the community
  • Monitor and evaluate fundraising activities to ensure that goals are met; prepare/maintain forecasts & progress reports
  • Responsible for foundation based fundraising included grant proposals, and reports. Support the Executive Director  in the writing of government grants. 
  • Supervise the Development and Marketing Coordinator and work closely with the Marketing Manager to ensure goals are reached
  • Create case statements and all fundraising communications messaging that amplify the importance of the New Art Center’s Strategic Goals and annual programs to articulate the value to the communities we currently serve
  • Support the Executive Director and board leadership to expand the connections to public and private funders at the local, state, and federal levels while forming deeper relationships with foundations and other non-governmental granting organizations
  • Support the organization’s goal to develop meaningful relationships with BIPOC individuals, communities, and funders, with an understanding of the needs and expectations of those various groups.
  • Increase volunteer initiatives through the New Art Advisory Board and the Board of Governors to explore avenues for potential donorship
  • Stay apprised of best practices in the field for fundraising, cultivation and development of volunteer board leadership, and more. 
  • Embrace other community engagement and relationship-building responsibilities as needed, including engagement with the Charles River Chamber of Commerce
  • Attend board meeting and board committee meetings as needed 
  • Liaise with bookkeeper as needed
  • Other duties as assigned

Experience and Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree a plus, master’s preferred
  • 5 + years successful experience in Development  
  • Experience with multiple donor channels, including sponsorships, foundation support, and cultivating high net worth individuals.
  • Fluent in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Email Marketing Services, Quickbase, or other CRM donor data management  software required
  • Excellent organizational and research skills and solid attention to detail
  • Enthusiasm for community building through art
  • Excellent written and communication skills with an exceptional attention to detail
  • An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities 
  • A positive, helpful attitude and friendly etiquette while talking to students, faculty, community members and vendors
  • Exceptional ability to multi-task and remain focused in a busy, high energy studio environment
  • Ability to be self-directed and work alone when necessary
  • The ability to work some nights and weekends for various meetings and events

Salary range: $75,000 - $80,000 annually plus a healthcare stipend

New Art Center offers paid time off, a monthly healthcare stipend - and short-term disability insurance. Employees are eligible to take any class or workshop as class enrollment allows, outside of normal work hours and some class benefits are transferable to dependents. Free parking is also available.

New Art Center is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and unequivocally supports racial equality, racial justice and racial equity. The New Art Center is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color.