Colorado Nonprofit Association

Development Director

Position Overview

The Dairy Arts Center is looking for a Development Director to join our team in Boulder, Colorado. For over 30 years, the Dairy Arts Center has been Boulder’s largest multi-disciplinary nonprofit arts organization dedicated to providing diverse opportunities to create, learn, and engage in high-quality performing, cinematic, and visual arts experiences. As the home of Boulder’s only year-round arthouse cinema, winner of Best of Boulder Visual Art Galleries 6 years in a row, and the premier venue for over 150 local and regional arts organizations annually, there is always something exciting happening at the Dairy Arts Center. We rely
on philanthropic support to provide free access to our gallery exhibitions, including year-round exhibitions from Creative Nations Indigenous Artist Collective, subsidized rent of our professional venue spaces for other nonprofit organizations, and arts educations programs for our community members of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. This position is an opportunity to engage with a vibrant and supportive community of artists, arts lovers, and arts supporters to sustain, nurture and cultivate Boulder’s diverse arts ecosystem.

The Development Director is responsible for the development and implementation of fund strategic plans to achieve the annual fundraising goals of the organization and for managing key aspects of the development program, including donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and managing a portfolio of major
gift prospects. The Development Director reports to the Executive Director and ensures the responsibilities and direction of the annual giving team members including the Development Manager and members of the Dairy Board of Directors Development Committee.

Essential Functions

• Create, implement, and oversee the organizational fund development plan to meet strategic goals and objectives for annual and long-term financial stability
• Effectively manage development team to consistently ensure fund-raising goals
• Ensure a comprehensive, annual grant strategy to include new proposals, grant renewals, cultivation activities, correspondence, and reports
• Implement effective identification, cultivation, and stewardship activities that strengthen long-term relationships with current and new donors, and lead the development team in this effort
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors
• Make face-to-face solicitations and assist the Executive Director and the board withtheir solicitations
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Board Development Committee to determine prospects for cultivation as well as identify and respond to potential new funding sources
• Direct the creation and implementation of an effective digital and social media fundraising strategy and other key marketing and communications initiatives in collaboration with the marketing team
• Provide leadership for all fund-raising special events, solicitation of in-kind donations, and event sponsorships
• Create and manage the annual development department revenue and expense budgets; regularly review expense and revenue projections to ensure alignment with the budget
• Provide regular reports to the Executive Director including solicitation efforts, actual to-budget revenue goals, and other reports as needed
• Ensure donations are accurately recorded in the donor database, secure controls are in place, and records are reconciled with the finance department
• Represent the Dairy Arts Center in the community and establish effective relationships with other nonprofits, community organizations, and governmental entities

Required knowledges/skills/abilities

• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience at the management level
• Proven record of securing 5- and 6-figure gifts
• Work independently and be self-motivated in initiating contacts with prospects
• Working knowledge of all aspects of a development department, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, endowments, corporate giving, sponsorships, donor relations/moves management, grant funding, and marketing/communications
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with a strong ability to inspire and engage a wide range of donors and build
  long-term relationships
• Organized, prepared, detail-oriented, and the ability to follow through on commitments
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated professionalism when interacting with donors, staff, and volunteers
• Must embody the highest ethical standards and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors
• High level of discretion and ethical standards in handling confidential information
• Working knowledge of prospect research and wealth screening tools
• Strong computer skills including, Google Suite, MS Office including Word and Excel, and donor database CRM

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration or related field
• CFRE certification or credits a plus

Physical requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms
• Frequently required to hear on phone calls and see on video and in-person meetings
• Additional physical requirements include fundraising event-related activities such as lifting and carrying tables, display, and decor set-up 

The Dairy Arts Center is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Reasonable accomodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.