Description

The Director of Development and Advancement is responsible for planning, implementing, and overseeing all fundraising and donor engagement activities for the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA). This position builds and strengthens relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and community partners to increase philanthropic support for SAMA's four museum locations and regional educational programs.

Working closely with the Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, Development Committee, and museum staff, the Director of Development and Advancement develop strategies to grow contributed income through annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, membership support, special events, and planned giving initiatives.

 
Essential Responsibilities

Donor Relations & Stewardship

Develop and maintain strong relationships with current and prospective donors. 
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation donors. 
Create personalized donor engagement and recognition strategies. 
Maintain regular communication with donors through visits, calls, emails, and stewardship activities. 
Oversee donor acknowledgements, impact reports, and recognition programs. 
Manage donor records within the museum's donor database. 
Assist Board members in donor cultivation and solicitation. 
Trustee Engagement: support Trustees in identifying and engaging prospective donors. 
Fundraising & Development

Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan aligned with SAMA's strategic goals. 
Increase unrestricted and restricted giving through annual campaigns and special appeals. 
Secure sponsorships for exhibitions, educational programming, and fundraising events. 
Identify new revenue opportunities and strategic partnerships. 
Assist with planned giving initiatives and legacy society development. 
Work collaboratively with Board members on donor cultivation and fundraising efforts. 
 

Grant Development

Research grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. 
Assist in writing and submitting grant proposals. 
Coordinate with staff to gather information for applications. 
Monitor grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and compliance. 
Maintain a grant calendar and tracking system. 
Events & Fundraising Activities

Help plan and oversee fundraising events, donor receptions, exhibition openings, and special programs. 
Coordinate event sponsorships and underwriting opportunities. 
Work with committees, volunteers, and staff to ensure successful event execution. 
Evaluate fundraising outcomes and recommend improvements for future events. 
Marketing Collaboration

Collaborate with the Marketing Department to promote fundraising campaigns and donor recognition. 
Assist in creating fundraising materials, brochures, newsletters, annual reports, and digital appeals. 
Ensure consistent messaging regarding SAMA's mission and impact. 
Community Engagement

Represent SAMA at community events, civic organizations, and networking functions. 
Develop partnerships with businesses, schools, foundations, and community organizations. 
Increase SAMA's visibility throughout its six-county service region. 
Financial & Administrative Responsibilities

Track fundraising performance and donor metrics. 
Prepare monthly and annual development reports. 
Ensure confidentiality of donor information. 
Assist in developing fundraising policies and procedures. 

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Arts Administration, or a related field. 
CFRE certification is a plus. 
Experience

Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible fundraising or nonprofit development experience. 
Experience managing donor relationships and major gifts. 
Grant writing experience preferred. 
Event planning and sponsorship solicitation experience. 
Experience working with nonprofit boards and volunteers. 
 
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills. 
Outstanding written and verbal communication abilities. 
Strong grant writing and proposal development skills. 
Demonstrated ability to solicit and close charitable gifts. 
Strong organizational and project management skills. 
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines. 
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. 
Ability to analyze fundraising data and prepare reports. 
Professional, ethical, and confidential handling of donor information. 
Passion for the arts and SAMA's mission.