Major Gifts Officer: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

PAFA is seeking an energetic and experienced fundraiser with a proven track record in securing major gifts ($25,000+) and developing strategies for leadership-giving programs ($1,500+). Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, this vital role will collaborate closely across the organization to enhance philanthropic revenue, support senior leadership in fundraising efforts, and expand our prospect pipeline. If you’re passionate about making a difference and ready to elevate our fundraising efforts, we want to hear from you!

ABOUT PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's first school and museum of fine arts. Located in the center city of Philadelphia, PAFA is intimate in scale with a strong sense of community. PAFA offers several nondegree and certificate in studio art and art appreciation programs. PAFA's museum has an outstanding collection of American art, and the museum actively collects and exhibits contemporary art, including work in new media. Additionally, PAFA is home to the Brodsky Center, a print and papermaking center focused on the creation of innovative editions by contemporary artists.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Because we were the nation’s first art museum and art school, we believe PAFA has a moral obligation to ensure that every member of our community can study and work in an environment where they feel a sense of belonging. We have the additional obligation of ensuring that our community reflects that rich tapestry of beauty and diversity that surrounds our world. We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire arts, cultural and educational sector, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. PAFA is committed to maintaining an inclusive learning environment, and a diverse community of students, faculty and staff. PAFA is an equal opportunity employer. Women and diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply to work in our pluralistic community.

POSITION: Major Gifts Officer

PAFA seeks an energetic and experienced fundraiser with a demonstrated track record and proven ability to close major gifts ($25,000+) and create strategies for leadership giving programs ($1,500 plus). Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer will have a vital role in the continued growth of philanthropic revenue for PAFA and work in close collaboration across the Development Department, President & CEO, and across the organization to meet goals.

The Major Gifts Officer will support the work of senior leadership and volunteers in their major gift fundraising efforts and help drive the strategy and activity to expand the prospect pipeline. The Major Gifts Officer will actively manage an assigned portfolio of prospects using moves management strategy to qualify, engage and solicit new prospective donors, and retain and increase support from current donors. They will work collaboratively with colleagues to create thoughtful tailored strategies and solicitation materials to support annual operating goals and restricted gifts for special initiatives including exhibitions, education programs, endowment funds, and capital projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development, create and implement a dynamic plan for expanding the leadership and major gifts program. This plan will include strategic goals and activities aimed at increasing and diversifying philanthropic giving across all areas from individuals including planned giving;
• Actively maintain a personal portfolio of individual donors and prospects (with the capacity to give $25,000 and above), and achieve monthly goals for meaningful prospect contact including meetings, solicitations and other interactions that deepen relationships with PAFA;
• Develop and implement strategies for major gift prospects, and craft tailored solicitation materials;
• Identify and qualify new prospects as assigned, meet monthly metrics, and actively move through the donor lifecycle, working in collaboration with Senior Director of Development to identify prospect pools and opportunities;
• Establish strategies to expand leadership giving programs and oversee solicitation practices (Former Trustee Association, Brodsky Center Advisory Council, Peale Circle and other giving areas, some in collaboration with Donor Relations Officer);
• Create and implement strategies to sustain corporate event sponsorship and expand into other engagement opportunities;
• With the Senior Director of Development, support the President & CEO, Board of Trustees and other key stakeholders in their fundraising work;
• Collaborate with the Donor Relations Officer and Manager of Membership & Annual Giving to create pathways for increased engagement for event attendees and members, and to build the individual giving pipeline.
• Work with colleagues to ensure proper acknowledgment and recognition and stewardship for donors; contribute to event programming/ planning that effectively connects donors and prospects to PAFA's work.
• Utilize Raiser’s Edge NXT to track moves management, manage relationships, event attendance, prospect information and reporting in adherence with department practices and policies;
• Keep abreast of industry best practices, trends and ethics;
• Serve as an effective representative for PAFA;
• Perform other job related duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum three to five years of development experience with knowledge of best practices
• A passion for the arts with a genuine interest in advancing PAFA’s mission to celebrate the transformative power of art and art-making
• A motivated and strategic fundraiser with a record of successfully building meaningful relationships with donors and identifying new opportunities to increase revenue
• A flexible, collaborative team player and problem-solver who partners well with colleagues to achieve shared institutional goals
• A strategic thinker who sees the big picture, but is also sufficiently detail-minded to develop the necessary building blocks to reach the desired goal
• Exceptional professionalism, tact, and poise. Ability to work with diverse constituencies including staff, faculty, students and volunteer leadership
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Strong intellectual curiosity and emotional intelligence
• Familiarity of the philanthropic landscape in Philadelphia, planned giving, and individual giving vehicles
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Expertise in Raiser’s Edge NXT software (or similar system) required
• Ability to work some evening and weekend events.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts accepts digital applications only. A complete application should include the following: Resume When submitting your application online, please save your documents as Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) or PDF (.pdf) files. To help us process your applications as efficiently as possible, please save your files with the following filename format: LastName_FirstName_Resume LastName_FirstName_CoverLetter. Due to the amount of potential applicants, we do not respond to voice calls or messages about the status of your application. Based on the criteria for the position, the most qualified candidates will be contacted directly. Thank you for your interest in PAFA. To Apply Apply now and help us celebrate and support the next generation of artists!