Information & Responsibilities
SUMMARY
The Development Associate, Major Gifts is a critical position on a growing Development team within the CalArts’ Advancement Division. They manage the day-to-day operations of the major gifts programs, including maintaining a complex and strategic (Customer Relationship Management) CRM-based calendar, organizing and maintaining donor strategy and proposal templates, operating and project-based budgets, and impact data. Under the supervision of the Executive Director, Development, the Associate will participate in all aspects of the fundraising cycle for individuals and assist between 3-5 gift officers with all aspects of their relationship management. Excellent writing and time-management skills are essential skills.
The ideal candidate will have experience in fundraising/development and be a deft and patient communicator able to work well both independently and collaboratively. They will be genuinely enthusiastic about and committed to the mission of CalArts. Major emphasis is placed on the ability to develop close collegial relationships both internally and externally and to effectively communicate about fundable projects and initiatives across all school métiers.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Primary Responsibilities:
- Regularly manage updates to the constituent database and constant contact mailing lists to ensure the integrity of CRM for individual prospects and donors
- Work closely with faculty and administrators to prepare acknowledgment letters and stewardship reports for individual support
- Research and identify potential individual prospects and assist in disseminating information on funding opportunities
- Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, and standards for major gifts at the Institute
- Assist Gift Officers with scheduling meetings, preparing briefings and background materials for the Institute’s leadership, and facilitate contacts with prospects and donors
- Assist in coordinating campus site visits, along with special events for the broader Advancement team
- Related duties as assigned
Proposal Development:
- Gathers proposal information by identifying sources of information, coordination submissions and collections, and identifying and communicating risks associated with proposals
- Determines proposal concept by identifying and clarifying gift officers’ opportunities and needs, have a clear understanding of requests, and attending strategy meetings
- Prepares prospect and donor materials by determining concept, gathering and formatting information, writing drafts, and assisting and obtaining approvals
Project Management:
- Assist Gift Officers in meeting metrics-related deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for relational activities from cultivation, to solicitation, to stewardship
- Maintain quality results by using templates; following Advancement’s writing standards, including readability, consistency, and tone
Qualifications
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills. Think strategically and creatively and perform with expertise in order to support the advancement of CalArts
- Work with a high level of self-motivation to proactively move multiple tasks forward while documenting and sharing progress and meeting strict deadlines
- Have experience and confidence in donor database management and ease in functioning in CRM systems
- Be tech-savvy and able to use best practices to improve and reinforce business processes, ensuring effective time management and outcomes-based work performance
- Possess strong computer skills: Google suite, CRM databases, mail merges, presentation software, video integrated meeting systems, and digital event registration products
- Maintain confidentiality with regard to donor relations at all times
- Commit to serving diverse constituents in an environment that embraces inclusiveness, diversity, equity, and access
- Collaborate effectively with a large team and attend to competing needs
- Work with coworkers to promote and maintain a positive work environment while supporting strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships across the CalArts campus
- Possess the emotional intelligence to interpret and act on emotions in themselves and others
- Utilize personal skills in dealing with people with diplomacy, tact, maturity
- Demonstrate grit by maintaining composure when things go wrong as well as a sense of humor to stay sane and keep a positive attitude no matter what happens
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor level degree preferred or equivalent combination of job experience
- Fundraising background (3+ years), preferably in the arts, higher education, or youth development
- Expertise in portfolio management, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Experience working collaboratively with colleagues, donors, and volunteers
- Experience and/or interest in contemporary art forms across disciplines
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Advancement Division works in a hybrid model, spending a minimum of 2 days per week on campus or at in-person meetings and the remainder of days working from home. Because the division is responsible for fundraising events, applicants must be available to work additional hours during evenings or weekends and at peak periods of the year. During certain brief times during the academic calendar, there will be restrictions on vacation approvals to ensure the division can adequately support the fundraising initiatives that align with the Institute’s highest priority activities.
How to Apply
This position is available immediately. If you are interested, please follow the link to Interfolio below:
Development Associate, Major Gifts - ID:106040
Salary
$58,500 - $96,564 a year
Equity & Diversity
California Institute of the Arts shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
Further Information
CalArts has a multidisciplinary approach to its studies of the arts through six schools: Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music and Theater. CalArts encourages students to explore and recognize the complexity of the many aspects of the arts. It is supported by a distinguished faculty of practicing artists and provides its Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts students with the hands-on training and exposure necessary for an artist's growth. CalArts was founded in 1961 and opened in 1969 as the first institution of higher learning in the United States specifically for students interested in the pursuit of degrees in all areas of visual and performing arts.