Development Associate, Major Gifts

Founded in 2009, Queer|Art uses models of mentorship and community exchange to cultivate a network of shared resources that empower an intergenerational community of LGBTQ+ artists. The Queer|Art Development Associate, Major Gifts will work in consultation with the Executive Director, Development Associate, Public Foundations, and Development Assistant to advise on annual fundraising strategies and ongoing cultivation of major donors, with a specific focus on identifying and applying for new Foundation and Corporate support for this rapidly growing non-profit organization.

This is position is organized a temporary freelance consultancy, from April through the end of December 2021, with possibility of extension and expansion. Compensation is $2,400/month. Hours are flexible, project-driven, and mobile. Hourly expectations will be determined based on experience of the candidate, but shall not exceed a part-time schedule. While our offices are headquartered in New York City, we are excited to consider qualified candidates from throughout the U.S.

Additional benefits will include participation in Queer|Art’s Collective Accountability and Professional Development staff program, which provides further financial support for employees to collaborate on advancing internal and external accountability goals as they relate to our “Call to Action and Accountability” (published June 6, 2020): https://www.queer-art.org/blog/2020/6/8/a-call-for-action-and-accountability-from-queerart

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES IN 2021:

-Research, cultivate, and apply for additional funding support from Private Foundations, with a goal of 10-20% increase.
-Research, cultivate, and develop proposals for additional Corporate sponsorship support at major gift levels.
-Develop backend and frontend menus of benefits and giving levels for major gifts in all major funding areas (Foundations, Corporations, and Individuals).

DETAILED EXPECTATIONS:

Scheduling and Strategy
- Review and update annual Development calendar with Executive Director (ED), Development Associate, Public Foundations, and Development Assistant; set goals and work plan for each quarter, specific to Major Gifts
- Meet regularly with ED to monitor Development calendar and work plan
- Collaborate with ED and Development Assistant to plan cultivation opportunities and rewards for Major Gift donors
- Track and maintain a schedule of deliverables for all private foundation applications
- Track and maintain a schedule for cultivation of new and returning Major Gifts (Foundations, Corporations, and Individuals)
- Advise and support ED and Board to build out Major Gift deck for Corporations and Individuals, and coordinate fulfillment of Major Gift benefits

Research and Submissions
- Expand on current research to identify new opportunities for Foundation and Corporate support with ED and Development Assistant
- Prospect major Individual donors ($5k+) and potential board members
- Organize and maintain research for easy reference (e.g., grant deadlines, criteria, and relationship development)
- Maintain folders of up-to-date submission materials for all applications and proposals, organized in tandem with Development Associate, Public Foundations and Devo Asst.
- Draft and submit applications and proposal for Private Foundation and Corporate Support; finalize with ED review
- Follow-up on all grants received to schedule reviews and complete reports for fulfillment of grant terms
- Follow-up on all grants denied to request feedback for future applications

Events
- Work closely with ED and Development Assistant to plan dynamic cultivation events specific to Major Donor engagement throughout the year (both online, and when safe to do so, in person), ranging from artist and community excursions to private dinner parties to public fundraisers. ED and Devo Asst are primarily responsible for producing these events, with input from Devo Associate, Major Gifts.
- Gather background research on Major Gift donors and prospects, and compile for board and staff, with Devo Asst support.
- Facilitate introductions between prospective donors and board/staff at cultivation events and beyond
- Steer host committees with ED and Development Assistant
- Track follow-up communication and appeals to Major Donors with ED and Development Assistant

Correspondence
- Work closely with ED and Development Assistant to maintain and analyze contents of CRM database (we use Little Green Light)
- Coordinate development mailings for Major Donors (appeals, EOY reports, etc.) with ED and Devo Assistant
- Advise on all Major Donor communications and relationship management

2021 QUEER|ART DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Over the past several years Queer|Art has expanded our support with a Development Associate working with us in a consultancy capacity. Through the efforts of this role, the organization has acquired public funding (NYSCA, DCA, NEA), increased foundation support, focused donor cultivation and expansion, as well as maintaining crucial corporate sponsorships.

The Development Associate, Major Gifts will inherit many of these relationships (save for public funding and individual donors less than $5k, which will remain separate). The Development Associate will work to deepen these existing relationships and actively cultivate new support in the areas of Foundations, Corporations, and Individuals, Major Gifts. Queer|Art maintains strong relationships with our donors, and we are proud to do so with a unique personal touch. The Development Associate, Major Gifts will be a key participant in these efforts. This position will collaborate with the entire QA staff for greater transparency and equity in order to further elaborate and hold true to a values-based fundraising model for the organization.

Queer|Art is, furthermore, actively seeking to expand and diversify our board, with a goal to add one or two new board members by the end of 2021. The Development Associate, Major Gifts will also collaborate with staff and board in prospecting and supporting cultivation of new potential board members.

Queer|Art is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the fields that we represent (Film, Literature, Performance, Visual Art, and Curatorial Practice) are strongly encouraged to apply. People with disabilities; people of color; women; and lesbian, gay, transgender/gender non-conforming and bisexual people are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Ideal Qualifications:

-Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a non-profit
-Past development, fundraising, or membership experience preferred
-Well-organized researcher
-Strong writing / application skills (nonprofit grant-writing experience a plus!)
-Team player
-Shares QA’s commitment to social justice and accountability at all levels. Read our Call to Action here: https://www.queer-art.org/blog/2020/6/8/a-call-for-action-and-accountability-from-queerart
-Enjoys meeting new people and facilitating introductions
-Our ideal candidate is a motivated networker and strategic thinker with an outgoing personality and deep passion for supporting and engaging with queer culture.