Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Director of Development

Description

The Clay Studio, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on the ceramic arts, seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial Director of Development to lead our annual fundraising efforts and play a lead role in a recently launched capital campaign. This is a great opportunity to show your professional skills with individual donors, institutional giving, and special events, while working with a high-achieving team. The successful candidate will be adept at motivating others including donors, staff, board, and direct reports.

The Director of Development plays a leadership role in formulating strategies that support the annual fundraising goals as well as the expansion of the organization’s contributed income.  S/he collaborates with the President, Senior Staff and Board members to create, communicate and implement our development activities. S/he is responsible for meeting and expanding all contributed income budget goals.

The Clay Studio is in an extended period of growth including the recent launch of a capital campaign and plans to relocate into a new facility by 2020.  The Director of Development will play a key role in driving fundraising effectiveness, community awareness, and growth on a new scale.  To be successful, the person in this position will be entrepreneurial, knowledgeable about key fundraising methods, adaptive, highly energetic, and eager to take on new challenges.

Organizational Background

The Clay Studio was founded in 1974 as an artist collective.   We have a proud legacy of presenting international programs, hosting three national clay conferences, and serving local artists, students, children, and adults.   The organization has worked to attain a strong local, national, and international reputation in the field of ceramic arts programming.  

The Clay Studio has a budget of $2 million, of which 50% is contributed income.  We are organized in the following six business units: Consignment Shop, Gallery, Studio Rental Program, Ceramics School, Claymobile, and Artist Residency.  In late 2016, we launched a capital campaign, and have begun to secure the lead gifts.  

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess a broad understanding of philanthropic practice, have a track record of meeting annual fundraising expectations, and demonstrate a proven history of increasing contributed income.   S/he will be a strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising.    Outgoing personalities are encouraged!   CFRE is preferred and/or a track record of fundraising results.

Essential Skills

The Clay Studio is seeking a strategic thinker who also knows how to put the wheels in motion.  The successful candidate will have experience and strengths in the following areas of fundraising:

Leadership, Management and People Skills

  • Supervise a Development Assistant, volunteers, and interns as needed
  • Engage the full Board, Committee members, and colleagues in development strategies & implementation
  • Maintain a strong network of community contacts  
  • Experience with marketing and public relations is desirable

Development Strategy

  • Continue Annual Fundraising schedule of approximately $950,000
  • Capitalize on existing program participants to attract and retain members.  This includes going to classes, workshops, First Friday events, and public networking
  • Exercise your people skills to expand our giving program: devise new membership attraction & retention strategies, increase major donors, and increase corporate sponsorships giving
  • Develop and implement a planned giving program

Special Events Planning and Management

  • Devise and implement special events that range in size from intimate cocktail receptions to major galas
  • Create development opportunities within existing outlets such as workshops, First Fridays, lectures, newsletters, etc. 
  • Conceptualize and execute events as a member of a team that consists of colleagues, donors, board members, volunteers, and contractors. 

Grants Management

  • Identify and cultivate granting agencies (private, public, government)
  • Guide a Development Assistant who has strength in grant writing
  • Manage internal metrics for grant reporting

The Director of Development plays a leadership role in formulating strategies that support the annual fundraising goals as well as the expansion of the organization’s contributed income. S/he collaborates with the President, Senior Staff and Board.