Senior Director of Philanthropy

MASS MoCA; North Adams (MA); Remote; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent contemporary art museum based in North Adams is seeking a Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead donor engagement and fundraising efforts. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the arts, a strong understanding of philanthropic trends, and the ability to cultivate significant donor relationships to support a $3M-$4M annual budget. This remote position requires occasional in-person attendance and travel.

Benefits

Medical insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Professional development reimbursement

Qualifications

• Conversant in visual and performing arts.
• Extensive experience in engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute comprehensive donor engagement strategies.
• Oversee an Individual Gift Officer.
• Establish patron and travel programs for major donors.

Skills

Fluency in philanthropic trends

Knowledge of artworld philanthropy

Relationship cultivation and stewardship

Donor-centric approach

Emotional intelligence

Job description

Overview

With a history defined by tenaciousness, vision, risk-taking, artistic excellence, and a commitment to the revitalization and economic growth of the region, MASS MoCA (MM) is primed for its next quarter century of innovation and leadership. Kristy Edmunds – a world-renowned arts director, curator, and creative producer – was appointed in October 2021 to move the organization forward and to build a durable, sustainable future. Seizing the opportunity, Kristy, working with MASS MoCA's dedicated Board of Trustees, authored a new, multi-year Strategic Plan reflecting and articulating a new vision for cultural institutions at a time when museums and all arts organizations must reevaluate their role and relevance in society. Specific initiatives in the Strategic Plan include the significant greening of MASS MoCA's campus; creating new housing for artists; launching a curatorial exchange program to bring in perspectives of under-represented curators to the museum; and deepening MASS MoCA’s partnership with the City of North Adams on interconnected civic development projects. To support these ambitious goals, MASS MoCA aims to grow the annual budget to add staff capacity and significantly expand the current $28 million endowment through the development and execution of a comprehensive capital campaign, building on the success of MASS MoCA's first 25 years and forging a new culture of philanthropy.

In this exciting time of evolution, MASS MoCA seeks an experienced and forward-thinking fundraiser to join the Advancement team as our Senior Director of Philanthropy. Based in New York and working with patrons in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and other major arts hubs, the Senior Director of Philanthropy has an opportunity to make a significant impact on MM’s ambitious goals, authoring and driving the growth of philanthropic giving in support of these transformational ideals.

As a member of the executive leadership team, and a key partner to the Director, Kristy Edmunds, the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Board of Trustees, and fellow leadership staff, the Senior Director of Philanthropy will help to develop, nurture, and manage joyful and mutually beneficial philanthropic relationships, building a combined major and patron giving program that contributes between $3M and $4M to MM’s annual operating budget, plus additional philanthropy for capital, endowment, and other off-budget projects. The Senior Director will play a leadership role in shaping and expanding the individual donor pipeline for a multi-year comprehensive campaign for which planning is now underway.

Responsibilities

• Creates and executes comprehensive donor engagement and individual giving strategies - identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new donors, as well as stewarding existing relationships and bringing personal relationships to MASS MoCA. Emphasis on gifts from $10k and $1M+
• Oversees an Individual Gift Officer
• Works closely with the Director, CAO, Curators and programmers to identify funding opportunities - connecting to prospects for philanthropic support.
• Establishes and manages patron and travel programs for major donors and Board members supported by the Gift Officer or equivalent.
• Works with the Director of Curatorial Affairs, Curators, and Board Engagement Committee to design and arrange domestic and international board and donor trips.
• In collaboration with Sr Leadership, helps establish a strategic giving program that assists and informs capital campaign development - mapping prospects to MASS MoCA and post campaign stewardship.
• Maintains continuous awareness of programmatic undertakings across all departments (including those associated with the Director's Initiatives.) Collaborates with curatorial teams to stay knowledgeable about artists commissions, new work interests and future projects with an eye to matching philanthropic prospects to programmatic support.
• Matches donor interests and crafts compelling narratives highlighting MM's mission and programs and the tangible outcomes, tracking the impact of patron support.
• Gala: Works with Sr Leadership to help establish overall income strategy and secures financial support through sponsorships, table sales, seeding the paddle raise and assisting with auction sales.
• Capital Campaign: Supports CAO and sr leadership in framing and executing campaign plan, Interfacing with Trustees and the Campaign Committee.
• This job description is intended to describe the general nature of the role and the work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. The Senior Director of Philanthropy may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.

Qualifications

• Must be conversant in visual and performing arts and have an appreciation and understanding of the interconnectedness of contemporary art and larger social issues
• Have fluency in philanthropic trends in arts and culture
• Possess extensive knowledge of artworld philanthropy
• Hold true and abiding interest in cultivating and stewarding relationships, securing support and a commitment to building and sustaining a culture of philanthropy
• Have experience working in partnership with a range of stakeholders and partners
• Hold extensive experience strategizing and managing engagement and solicitation strategies for individuals and a proven record of nurturing lasting relationships that match donor interests with organizational priorities and programs
• Willingness to travel nationally and internationally as well as the flexibility to work as needed to accomplish the organizational fundraising goals
• Take a donor-centric, collaborative approach to fundraising
• Possess a deep curiosity, authenticity, high emotional intelligence and a sense of humor and joy; as well as a passion and belief in MASS MoCA’s mission and the power and importance of arts in society and democracy

Work Conditions

• This position may require extended hours, including occasional nights and weekends. The schedule will be determined by the manager.

Physical Requirements

• This position is remote; periodic in-person attendance is required.
• This position requires travel.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Long term disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Medical deductible reimbursement
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Roth 401(k) option
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Time
• Retirement planning support
• Professional development reimbursement
• Educational leave
• Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Student loan repayment assistance
• Discounts at Gift Shop and R&D Store
• Staff appreciation social events year-round

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply online with a resume and cover letter.

About MASS MoCA

MASS MoCA is a vibrant non-collecting art museum with approximately 300,000 square feet of exhibition space dedicated to visual art and projects by contemporary artists. Formerly a 19th century factory, these exhibition spaces are unconventional, vast, soaring galleries spanning multiple buildings. Half of that space is dedicated to rotating 10 - 16 month exhibitions of which we present 4 to 6 large-scale exhibitions per year, along with smaller projects and commissions. The additional space is dedicated to long-term exhibitions in conjunction with artists, estates, and collections that run from 10 months to 25 years. MASS MoCA frequently works directly with artists on the fabrication of new commissions and large-scale site-specific installations.

MASS MoCA was founded in 1999, not only as a contemporary art museum and performing arts venue, but also as a creative campus with a regional, national and global impact. MASS MoCA is one of the world\'s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today\'s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA is able to embrace all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. From its beginnings as the major textile mill Arnold Print Works in the mid-19th century, to its days as the Sprague Electric Company in the mid-20th century, to its current iteration as a globally renowned contemporary art museum and fabrication center, the 24-acre MASS MoCA campus has a rich history of serving as the economic engine of the city of North Adams and the surrounding region.