Director of Development

New York, NY
Posted on  

Job Description

The Director of Development is responsible for leading fundraising efforts and ensuring the organization meets its fundraising goals. They should have a strong track record in creating and executing fundraising plans covering major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, individual giving, alumni stewardship, and special events.

Eyebeam is seeking an individual who can identify and develop relationships with major gift prospects, corporate and foundation donors, individuals, and alumni, as well as raise funds for special events and projects that engage Eyebeam's community.

The Director of Development will oversee the creation of targeted appeals to encourage donations and enhance donor relationships. They will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Fundraising Committee to align fundraising strategies with Eyebeam's mission. Furthermore, they will present plans and measurable performance metrics to ensure seamless integration with the organization's overall strategic vision and provide support that will drive Eyebeam forward.

Primary Responsibilities

Donor Prospecting

  • Grow and expand donor database and use effective and creative strategies to foster and maintain relationships with potential donors
  • Collaborate with the ED and Board to identify and cultivate new donors
  • Research individuals, corporations, and foundations interested in making significant gifts and grants in alignment with Eyebeam’s mission 
  • Keep track, record, and summarize research into an easy-to-understand report for biweekly updates for the Executive Director and/or Fundraising Committee 

Fundraising

  • Develop and implement fundraising strategies that will support the organization’s short-term and long-term goals 
  • Translate the fundraising strategy into an effective and actionable plan to secure funding at all levels: 

                Low: $1 - $10,000

                Medium: $10,000 - $100,000

                High: $100,000 - $1M+

  • Grow and Expand Individual Giving: Cultivate and steward potential donors with a focus on establishing recurring and long-term donor relationships
  • Achieve sustainable revenue growth through diversification, raising organizational visibility, and pursuing new opportunities through strategic partnerships 
  • Ensure that donors are properly acknowledged and recognized for ALL contributions

Campaign Management

  • Manage digital engagement and fundraising campaigns for the Eyebeam website, social media, and donor platforms, such as Givelively, Benevity, or Salesforce
  • Create and oversee successful fundraising events, including one spring fundraiser, two to four in-person gatherings, and one end-of-year campaign annually 
  • Create compelling press releases, impact reports, engaging social media content, and effective email campaigns for online, hybrid, or in-person events

Reporting and Communication

  • Prepare and submit written proposals, budgets, and other documentation to secure funding for General Operations, Programs and Capital Expansion initiatives
  • Manage the process of grant writing, and fiduciary reporting to ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations

General

  • Assist with written communication as assigned by the Executive Director or Board of Directors

Requirements

  • 5+ years of successful fundraising experience
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully fundraise in the non-profit sector, preferably in an arts and cultural context
  • Broad understanding of various development campaigns, activities, and tools including proposal and grant development, End of Year Campaigns, Special Events, databases, and CRMs for donor segmentation and research
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills 
  • Familiarity with all ll media and digital platforms, storytelling and brand development
  • Decisive and methodical
  • Collaborate in a fast-paced and highly interactive culture
  • Adept at learning new things and welcome challenges and change 
  • An individual who is confident about advancing the mission of the Org.
  • Proficiency in Salesforce or comparable CRM and fundraising hub  
  • B.A. or higher