DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Description
ArtsQuest Values Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Our employees are the most valuable assets we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and the organization's achievement as well.
At ArtsQuest a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees feel valued and respected whatever their age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and/or veteran status. We embrace and encourage our employees' characteristics that make them unique, because we value and appreciate diverse life experiences.
Reports to : Sr. Director of Advancement/Executive Director, ArtsQuest Foundation
Direct Reports: None
Position Overview:
The Development Officer has the primary responsibility of relationship management and acquisition of individual donors and supporters in efforts to acquire new major gifts for ArtsQuest and its Affiliates. The Development Officer will act as one of the points of contact with donor prospects; work with staff and board members in initiating, maintaining and growing gift relationships for ArtsQuest and its Affiliates.
Requirements
Donor Relations & Major Gifts

• Engage, maintain and build a stewarding portfolio of approximately 125 to 150 individuals with the ability to give major gifts.
• Prospect new donors by attending ArtsQuest & community events and working the room.
• Create and build new relationships with individuals who are interested in ArtsQuest's mission but do not yet donate to the Organization.
• Inspire and cultivate major, planned and blended gifts for ArtsQuest and Affiliates through new and existing ArtsQuest donors.
• Meet with at least 10 donors/prospects weekly.
• Establish and reach annual fundraising goals in cooperation with the Sr. Director of Advancement.
• Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Advancement to create Major Gift proposals, solicit gifts & manage sustaining gift pledges.
• Execute Major Gift Campaigns in cooperation with Sr. Director of Advancement.
• Manage ArtsQuest's existing Annual Year End Appeal Campaign and Giving Tuesday Campaign.
• Create and manage new annual fund campaigns in cooperation with the Sr. Director of Advancement.
• Craft donor communications.
• Handle gift acknowledgements and processing when appropriate.
• Follow up with donors; provide them with timely information and/or progress reports on supported projects.
• Help the Advancement team with audit, tax statements, monthly reconciliations & any other team project(s) as needed.
• Maintain up to date donor records in Raiser's Edge, ArtsQuest's CRM database.

Capital Campaigns

• Collaborate with ArtsQuest Senior Leadership to secure fundraising goals and provide reporting for the Capital Campaign.
• Plan and participate in Campaign cultivation events with key volunteer leaders and major donor prospects.
• Develop individual strategies for gifts and follow through with cultivation and solicitation of donors.
• Communicate timely information including goals and milestones with donors to the Sr. Director of Advancement.

Events

• Identify and steward sponsors and attendees for the ArtsQuest Foundation's Linny Awards.
• Work collaboratively with the ArtsQuest Foundation's Executive Director & ArtsQuest's Advancement Coordinator to manage the annual Linny Awards, including but not limited to communications with awardees & sponsors and creation of nomination content.
• Plan and manage other donor cultivation and recognition events when appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's degree required;
• Minimum 3-5 years of demonstrated success achieving measurable fundraising results through major gifts and annual campaigns; a proven track record of working at increasing levels of responsibility and success.
• Ability to represent ArtsQuest favorably and effectively to our stakeholders and the community at large with knowledge of ArtsQuest's artistic, cultural and educational programs.
• A strategic, innovative thinker who has demonstrated success in identification of prospects, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with superior attention to detail and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate a compelling and inspired vision, and a sense of core purpose to any audience.
• Exceptional, assertive project management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to build and maintain long term relationships with donors.
• Experience with philanthropy in a non-profit environment.
• Enthusiasm for implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Strong sense of personal accountability and follow-through.
• Ability to think independently, problem solve and troubleshoot.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and superior fundraising database management skills, i.e., Blackbaud Raiser's Edge familiarity a plus.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a strategic team.
• Positive attitude, sense of humor, strong work ethic and high degree of professionalism.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Regularly required to communicate, either verbally and/or in writing. Frequently required to stand; walk, stoop, bend, crawl, kneel; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Frequently required to lift up to 10 pounds, and up to 25 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable assistance.
Frequently required to travel between our facilities, using reliable transportation. Employee may
occasionally be required to travel offsite for business meetings.
Employee should have the ability to read, write and communicate in English; bi-lingual ability in Spanish or other language is a plus.
Working Conditions/Hours:

• ArtsQuest offices are smoke-free.
• Ability to work harmoniously in a diverse office environment.
• Normal working environment is mostly indoors, however, the ability to work indoors and outdoors in all types of weather conditions during festivals and events is required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., however the employee must be willing and able to work outside normal business hours to support our events and activities throughout the year as needed, including evenings, weekend and holidays when necessary and during events and festivals.
Travel: Travel is required between buildings, for off-site meetings and events and is expected for this position. Employee should have valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation to enable them to travel between our buildings, facilities and festivals.