Director of Individual Giving

Description

The Director of Individual Giving leads and manages fundraising efforts to develop and grow relationships with individual donors at all levels, focused on building a robust Annual Giving program and a financially-successful annual event.  The Director of Individual Giving develops and executes individual giving strategies, raises awareness and deepens understanding of VCCA’s mission and impact among donors, and increases support from individuals.  S/he instills confidence in VCCA among its donors by ensuring accurate recording, timely acknowledgement and followup, and active stewardship of donations from individuals. The Director of Individual Giving will spend a minimum of one day per week at the offices in Amherst to work with other staff and to ensure deep knowledge of VCCA’s operations and funding requirements.  VCCA will consider basing the position in or near areas of concentration of individual supporters in central Virginia.

VCCA does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, or national origin.

To apply, please send your resume, writing sample, salary requirements and three professional references to jobs@vcca.com by July 10, 2017.  The position will be open until filled.

Job Duties

• Plan and execute Annual Giving appeals, including personalized solicitation strategies, direct mail, on-line giving, and social media, working with Executive Director and Director of Communications and Grants Management to develop messaging and materials (FY18 AG goal $440,000).  Work with Board members, staff, and key volunteers to engage current donors and identify and cultivate new prospects.  Implement and refine structure of donor benefits designed to bring individuals closer to VCCA’s mission.
• Work with leadership volunteers and Executive Director to create and implement strategy to meet financial goal of VCCA’s signature annual fundraiser (FY18 goal $100,000).  This initiative includes some work with corporate donors.  Staffs Special Events Task Force.
• Manage VCCA donor database to maintain, update and safeguard records.  Analyze and act on giving trends. Supervise and mentor Development and Grants Assistant.
• With Executive Director and in coordination with Director of Communications and Grants Management, staff Development Committee of the Board, providing timely information and background data to inform strategy and decision-making.

Skills Required

Education

• B.A. or B.S. degree.

Qualifications and Experience

• Fundraising experience (3 to 5 years) preferably in an arts-related field
• Written and verbal communications skills
• Numeracy; understanding of budgets and financial presentation
• Strategic thinker, planner and implementer
• Determined, self-motivated and goal-oriented
• Knowledge of philanthropic practices and regulations and of the arts funding community from which VCCA draws support

Other Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and car.  Mileage for work-related driving is reimbursed
• Willingness to work periodic evening events and overnight travel

Additional Info

The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA), a non-profit multi-disciplinary artists residency program of international scope with locations in beautiful Amherst County, Virginia and in Auvillar, an historic village in Southwest France, seeks a dynamic Director of Individual Giving to lead and grow its development efforts focused on individual donors. The Director of Individual Giving reports to and works closely with the Executive Director and with the Board of Directors. Major areas of responsibility include the Annual Giving program and fundraising for VCCA’s annual signature special event. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of successful fundraising, ability to support the work of leadership volunteers, and knowledge of philanthropic practices. The right candidate will be an effective communicator with words and numbers, comfortable team player, and passionate advocate for the creative process at the core of VCCA’s mission.

Organizational overview:

Founded in 1971, VCCA is an international working retreat for writers, visual artists, and composers located both in Amherst, Virginia, 150 miles southwest of Washington, DC, and in the village of Auvillar in Southwest France. VCCA provides residential fellowships of two weeks to two months for highly accomplished artists to work free from the distractions of day-to- day life. Artists are provided private studios, private bedrooms and three prepared meals a day in the company of 24 other artists. Each year approximately 500 artists, or Fellows, come to VCCA’s two locations from 40 U.S. states and 15 other countries. They are accepted through a merit-based peer review process. VCCA has an annual institutional budget of approximately $1.3 million. For more information, visit www.vcca.com.