Director of Development Job Description

Organizational Overview:
A national, nonprofit organization with new headquarters in Minneapolis, MN, the American Craft Council is the advocate, steward and champion of the American craft movement. Founded in 1943, the Council is the preeminent professional service organization, promoting work at the intersection of art and design, synthesizing trends and innovation across all craft media and fostering the dialogue about craft's influence on American identity. Programs include the bimonthly magazine AMERICAN CRAFT, annual juried craft shows presenting artists and their work, a conference on craft, the Aileen Osborn Webb Awards honoring excellence, a specialized library, workshops and seminars.

Position Summary:
Reporting to the Executive Director the director of development is responsible for all aspects of the Council's fundraising program and works closely with the executive director to support trustees' and volunteers' fundraising efforts. Key to success in this position will be maximizing the organization's fundraising efforts with individual and institutional donors in the Council's new home community of Minneapolis/St. Paul and in the national arts community. This is a full-time position based on Minneapolis, MN.

Responsibilities:
• Manages all aspects of the Council's fundraising efforts (major, annual, institutional, public, planned and endowment giving, and special events) including research, strategy, cultivation, solicitation, facilitation and stewardship;
• Oversees member appeal to 28,000+ individuals, targeted major donor appeals, former trustee and Fellows appeals, and trustee giving;
• Implements strategies to grow individual, institutional, and public revenue;
• Writes/edits all institutional and public funding proposals;
• Communicates regularly with board of trustees to keep them informed about and involved with the Council's funding needs and programs;
• Provides support to board members (research, solicitation training and scripts, meeting arrangements, etc. to facilitate their fundraising efforts;
• Works closely with the executive director and board to identify, cultivate and facilitate the solicitation of individual and institutional prospects; includes travel for events and one-on-one meetings with trustees, donors and prospects;
• Works collaboratively with staff colleagues to create the Council's case for support, communicate programming, and develop external partnerships with fundraising potential;
• Senior staff liaison for the development committee; participates on program committees as requested and appropriate;
• Tracks fundraising success and provides regular progress reports to the executive director and development committee;
• Determines annual department budget and quarterly goals as well as multiple year projections;
• Manages production of News & Views, the Council's monthly electronic donor newsletter;
• Oversees the work of development department staff/contractors, including reviewing all acknowledgements, correspondence, research, proposals and reports before distribution.

Attributes and minimum qualifications:
• Organized self-starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Well developed interpersonal skills including the ability to work closely with trustees, donors and colleagues;
• Working knowledge of Raiser's Edge and Microsoft Office applications;
• Proven track record of successful fundraising in the non-profit arts sector;
• Familiarity with the Minnesota and national funding communities;
• Seven years professional fundraising experience including a minimum of two years in a senior-level position;
• Bachelor's degree required, Masters degree preferred;
• Salary commensurate with experience.