Director of Annual Giving and Events Boston Arts Academy Foundation Boston, Massachusetts About the Foundation: The Boston Arts Academy Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in 1999 to raise essential funds for the Boston Arts Academy (BAA) high school. Each year, the BAA Foundation raises between 35% and 40% of the school s budget from private philanthropic sources. The BAA Foundation helps bridge the gap between the school s allocation from the Boston Public Schools, and the true cost of a high-quality education that is both arts-intensive and college preparatory. Support from foundations, corporations, and individual donors is critical to the school s ability to offer a comprehensive arts and academic education. About the School: Boston Arts Academy (BAA) is Boston s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. BAA provides a diverse student body, a majority of whom who come from low-income families, access to a college-preparatory arts and academic education not otherwise available to them. Our mission is to prepare a community of aspiring artists-scholars-citizens to be successful in their college or professional careers and to be engaged members of their communities. Our innovative arts and academic curriculum yields impressive results. Overview: The Boston Arts Academy Foundation is at an exciting time in its history of supporting Boston s only public visual and performing arts high school. On July 1 st, 2017, BAA will launch its 20 th anniversary year, with plans to build a new school building in its existing space, and continue its innovative curriculum with the launch of a fashion design and technology program in the fall of 2017. The Director of Annual Giving and Events will join a growing Foundation staff to help advance the mission of BAA. The ideal individual will be a dynamic, visible, presence for the Boston Arts Academy Foundation at events and in the fundraising community. The Director will need to have at least 5 to 7 years prior experience in fundraising in a non-profit organization. Join Boston Arts Academy Foundation and help us change a young person s life today beginning with your own. For more details see the job description below. 1
Job Description: The Director of Annual Giving and Events is responsible for the leadership, management, and execution of Boston Arts Academy Foundation annual giving program and special events. Reporting to and working directly with the Executive Director, the Director of Annual Giving and Events will play a vital role in growing the philanthropic revenue for an entrepreneurial, mission-driven Foundation. In collaboration with the Executive Director, responsibilities include meeting or exceeding the annual fund and events-related fundraising goals; acknowledging, stewarding and growing annual fund contributions; developing and successfully implementing all organization special events; representing the organization to donors, vendors, and the public; producing various fundraising-related collateral; maintaining the donor database; and managing volunteers. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and willing to take complete ownership of critical duties. S/he will maintain an in-depth knowledge of Boston Arts Academy Foundation s strategic funding priorities to establish long-term partnerships and strengthen existing relationships with BAA funders and building out an alumni program. S/he will manage a portfolio of 125+ Individual and Corporate donors. Responsibilities: Annual Giving Duties: Responsible for the management and implementation of the Foundation s Annual Giving program (direct mail, in-kind donations, workplace giving, and online giving). Work with Executive Director to establish long term goals and objectives, to strategize annual campaign, and all other fundraising efforts. Cultivate and steward gifts from individuals by maintaining frequent contact with current major donors and developing new relationships with prospects. Coordinate cultivation and stewardship meetings with major donors for Executive Director, Headmaster, Artistic Director, and Foundation Board leadership. In partnership with the Executive Director, create and Develop an Alumni Program including cultivation, engagement, events and giving. Oversee special stewardship projects including: follow up letters after VIP events, holiday card mailings, invitations to special events, personal calls to donors, etc. Manage the Friends of Boston Arts Academy (FOBAA) Committee Ensure proper donor recognition and stewardship. Research individual donor and prospect information. Develop strategies for new donor acquisition and growth. Collect and input donor and prospect information into donor database (Raiser s Edge). Ensure accuracy of gift entry and reporting. 2
Assist in the creation of external content and collateral for the Development department, including but not limited to appeals, newsletters, social media, website, and invitations. Act as a spokesperson for the organization as needed to bring in funding, volunteers, etc. Prepare department reports. Event(s) Duties: Coordinate and manage the annual Gala and all special events, including acting as the staff liaison to the Special Events Committee(s). In partnership with the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, submit and secure corporate sponsorships as related to special events. Research and investigate all venues for events, including preparing overall cost analyses for each venue. Seek multiple bids prior to making a final recommendation to Executive Director and Board. Solicit and manage all vendors related to special events, and manage and negotiate contracts with input from the Executive Director. Work with the Executive Director to update corporate sponsorship materials for the Annual Gala, including in-kind (auction), sponsorship benefit levels and solicitation letters, track sponsor contracts, and ensure donor(s) receives all benefits. Secure event sponsors, including in-kind sponsorships. Collaborate with Board member volunteers to plan events and solicit auction items. Work with the Artistic Department to develop event programming and entertainment as appropriate. Prepare event collateral material, plan events, generate guest lists, coordinate leadership and staff, and follow through on event logistics and execution. In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop a BAA Community Generated and Cause Marketing program that will direct unrestricted funds to the Foundation. Assist with and support Foundation cultivation events including Board, Alumni, Parents and others with the potential to increase revenue for the Foundation. Develop and meet event revenue goals for existing and new events, manage event expense budgets utilizing metrics and data. Manage and recruit Interns and Volunteers. Interface and work with the Manager of Development Operations and Finance to ensure adherence to gift acceptance, gift counting, and gift processing policies and procedures, and to fulfill information requests and maintain reporting accuracy. Other duties: Provide support to other Foundation activities and campaigns as needed. Support the development and vibrancy of relationships with BAA s strategic allies, particularly other education and arts organizations 3
Provide professional, quality customer service to donors, members, volunteers, staff, and other community contacts. Prepare data for Executive Director and Board, to share ongoing results as related to metrics for fiscal year. Maintain all relevant data in Raiser s Edge database include donor meetings, correspondences, actions, etc. Education and Experience: Bachelor s degree required. Minimum 5-7 years of Development experience including demonstrated success in individual giving, corporate sponsorship, alumni giving, and special events fundraising and management. Experience with fundraising and data management systems; Raiser s Edge is highly desirable. Experience with moves management including, but not limited to, prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Skills and Abilities: Proven success in identifying and soliciting funds from individuals, corporations, and foundations from a variety of sources and in developing relationships with donors. Proven track record of working with high net-worth individuals and C-Suite executives as part of special event. A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing such activities as major gifts, annual gifts, direct mail, and special events. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills required. Demonstrated ability to write clear and persuasive proposals. Excellent time management skills and a high degree of organization, careful attention to detail, ability to multitask and to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines. Familiarity with Greater Boston and surrounding communities preferred, and flexibility to travel, the majority of which will be regional in scope. High energy and passion for Boston Arts Academy s mission is essential. Ability to work on selected weekdays, nights and weekend evenings as required. Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, managing people and budgets, and an ability to work in a hands-on environment. Computer literacy and knowledge of Raisers Edge event module and Auction-Pay is highly desirable. Well-disciplined, self-motivated and goal-driven; able to work with a high degree of independence as well as part of a team. Ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and information. Flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects. 4
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office software; Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Ability to participate in cross-departmental projects, using tact and diplomacy. Ability to effectively identify, analyze and solve problems. Professional maturity and a sense of humor. The BAA FOUNDATION is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary and Benefits are based on a competitive nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience. 5