The New York Foundation for the Arts
Director of New Initiatives
Job Description
Background :
The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is one of the largest nonprofit supporters of artistic expression in the country. Since 1971, NYFA has provided financial support and information to individual artists and emerging arts organizations during the most critical stages of their creative lives. It offers cash grants, professional development workshops, seminars, individual consultations, various online resources, and acts as a fiscal sponsor to artists and arts organizations. NYFA currently operates on an annual budget of $ 8 to 10 million dollars. Close to $1 million dollars is awarded to artists through its fellowship and grant programs each year. NYFA helps hundreds of artists and organizations annually via its fiscal sponsorship program, which allows artists to raise funds under the NYFA "umbrella", enabling close to another $5 million dollars to be put directly into the hands of artists.
To address the most important needs and challenges faced by artists today, NYFA has partnered with local arts councils and arts organizations to create focus groups in which artists’ voices can play a vital role in determining new programs and policies across the State and the nation. NYFA is expanding its brand from one that is known for supporting artists throughout New York State to one that supports artists everywhere. This nonprofit organization of 27 employees is rapidly growing via the internet. Its cutting edge website, nyfa.org, is used by 4.4 million people making it the nation’s pre-eminent online information source for artists. To support these efforts, the organization is adding a new position, Director of New Initiatives (DNI), which will support NYFA’s expansion from a New York State incubator and supporter of the arts to a dynamic player in the national arts arena.
The Position:
The New York Foundation for the Arts is seeking to hire a Director of New Initiatives to foster the dynamic expansion of its fundraising program. The DNI will report directly to the Executive Director and work closely with the Board of Directors to give shape to and expedite ambitious future plans. He or she will be expected to significantly develop and implement a wide range of fund development strategies that can be activated swiftly to initiate new programs for NYFA on the national horizon. The DNI will play a major role in identifying, cultivating and soliciting annual major donors for both ongoing operations as well as new initiatives while growing NYFA’s strong corporate and individual funding base.
This newly formed position is an opportunity for an energetic and dedicated development professional to have a lasting impact on one of the nation’s most important arts institutions. He or she will be joining a strong team of professionals that currently execute government and foundation funding initiatives, grant writing, and special events. The DNI will also have the opportunity to build and manage a robust team to facilitate new fundraising initiatives.
NYFA is looking for an individual who is passionate about the challenge of fundraising, and is inspired by the opportunity to help take this well respected New York institution to the national level. It would prefer the DNI have a strong appreciation and respect for the arts, but a background in the arts is not necessary.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and direction for the implementation of plans for enhancing revenue and fundraising through major gift donors and planned giving.
- Raise new sources of funds from individual donors within the first year of execution sufficient to offset any reductions in state, city or foundation support for NYFA’s Fellowship Program.
- Bring in dollars to launch new programs based on donor ideas and collaborative investments in NYFA’s future.
- Build a small team of professionals in the first 3-5 years to secure new funding sources from patrons that are ardent about the creative process.
- Design and implement identification, solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship strategies for major gift donors and planned giving.
- Develop creative strategies for identifying and engaging diverse constituencies critical to the organization’s fundraising goals.
- Interface closely with Board of Directors, major donors and executive team.
- Provide direction and support to strengthen NYFA’s position with its current donor base and expand its donor base into new markets.
- Increase the donor base by initiating development scenarios that further the organization’s mission and brand.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with programmatic staff and colleagues across the organization.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts Degree in a related field; advanced degree preferred
- Major campaign experience and success in areas of planning, implementation and goal reaching.
- Proven record of identification, execution and closing of major solicitations with both individuals and corporations.
- Prefer 7-10 years of progressive responsibilities in fundraising on behalf of the arts, humanities, and creativity.
- Strong leadership ability, including management, strategic and analytic.
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills.
For more information about the New York Foundation for the Arts, please visit their website at www.nyfa.org
The New York Foundation for the Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to a diverse workforce. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
To Apply:
The New York Foundation for the Arts has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:
Jack Lusk, Managing Partner
Siobhan McDermott, Senior Consultant
Harris Rand Lusk
261 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10016
smcdermott@harrisrand.com
|