Development Assistant

Dia Art Foundation; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive healthcare

401(k) plan with employer match

Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Parental leave

Reduced or free admission to museums

Job summary

Dia Art Foundation is seeking a full-time administrative support role focused on the Development department. This entry-level position involves data entry, donor communications, and event assistance, providing a chance to learn about development activities in an arts nonprofit setting.

Located in New York, the role requires excellent organizational skills and a proactive approach, with significant opportunities for growth. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare and a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Strong administrative-support skills and attention to detail.
• Accurate data entry skills with experience in similar databases preferred.
• Proactive approach to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Perform various data-entry functions in Altru.
• Administer gift processing and coordination with Finance.
• Prepare invoices and donor communications.
• Support biannual benefits and membership programs.
• Compile research on donors and prospects.
• Manage department calendar and mailings.
• Assist with travel and expense reports.

Skills

Administrative support

Data entry

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Prior work or internship in development or arts

Tools

Altru

Job description

Dia Art Foundation was established in 1974 for the purpose of collecting, commissioning, and presenting major works of art made in the 1960s onward. Today it consists of nine permanent sites across the United States and Germany, as well as three changing exhibition spaces in New York State: Dia Chelsea in the city, Dia Beacon in the Hudson Valley, and Dia Bridgehampton on Long Island. Dia is taken from the Greek word for “through” and conveys the foundation’s role as a facilitator of meaningful artistic experiences that can be encountered in single and repeated visits.

Position summary

This is a full‑time, entry‑level role providing administrative support across various aspects of the Development department’s operations. Reporting to the Director of Development and under the general oversight of the Senior Deputy Director of Advancement, the individual in this position provides crucial assistance to a small and busy Development team. This role offers opportunities for learning and growth as well as experience with a full range of development activities in an arts nonprofit, including donor communications, gift processing, constituent records management, and events.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Perform a variety of data‑entry functions in Altru, a Blackbaud fundraising database, including updating contacts, prospect coding, mailing lists, and other constituent tracking
• Administer gift processing for the department, completing tasks such as weekly gift entries, preparation of weekly gift reports, and ongoing coordination with the Finance department
• Prepare invoices, donor acknowledgements, and other written communications as needed
• Provide support for biannual benefits, membership programs, and other special events, including tracking RSVPs and assisting with preparations, occasionally off‑site and after‑hours as needed
• Compile research and profiles on individual, foundation, and corporate prospects
• Support the department in donor and prospect relationship management, including billing and visiting inquiries, VIP ticket arrangements, and other tasks as assigned
• Manage department calendar, prepare meeting agendas, and take meeting notes as assigned
• Manage department mailings of books, holiday cards, and other large appeals
• Assist the Senior Deputy Director of Advancement with travel, meeting schedules, reservations, and monthly expense reports

Education, certification, and experience

• Prior work or internship experience, preferably in a development or arts environment, required

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Must have strong administrative‑support skills and be organized and detail oriented
• Accurate data entry skills; experience with Altru or a similar database preferred, but training is provided
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• A proactive worker, able to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities
• Works well in a team setting with a positive, helpful attitude

Working conditions and physical demands

• This is a full‑time position in a hybrid environment with no fewer than 3 days in the office
• Occasional travel to Dia Beacon
• Significant computer work, which may require repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications

Dia provides a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package with significant employer contributions towards the cost of healthcare premiums. The 401(k) plan provides 100% employer match up to 4% of the employee’s deferral and immediate vesting. Paid time‑off benefits include three weeks of vacation, ten days of sick leave, thirteen holidays, and a generous parental leave program. Work‑related travel expenses are fully covered. Additionally, staff ID badges gain reduced or free admission to most American museums and arts organizations.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by completing the online job application, linked here, and attaching a resume and letter of interest.

Dia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, Dia will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and supports a neurodiverse workplace. Candidates with nontraditional learning or career paths and/or applicants whose qualifications differ from those listed above are encouraged to apply.