Director of Development at arts education nonprofit

ASTEP is an international nonprofit arts education organization headquartered in New York City. Founded fifteen years ago by Broadway Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell, ASTEP cultivates community, creative capacity, and courage in young people through arts experiences across multiple art forms by bringing arts workshops, summer camps and after school programs to over 20,000 young people on three continents (Asia, Africa and North America). 

ASTEP programs engage young people ages 4-21 through partnerships with community organizations, NGO’s, and schools, serving youth affected by systemic issues and their effects including; the justice system, gun-violence, refugee status, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, systemic poverty and the caste system. As a global community of passionate and exceptional teaching artists and educators, ASTEP believes the arts can be a powerful force for helping young people develop agency, awakening their imaginations to new worlds and possibilities, and creating a ripple effect that can transform their lives.

This year is a turning point for the organization as it welcomes a new Executive Director who will work with a dynamic staff and engaged board to take the organization to a new level. We seek to add a Director of Development to support our expanded vision and impact.  

The Director of Development’s primary responsibilities are the planning, organizing, and directing of ASTEP’s fundraising including: a major gifts program, bi-annual online fundraising campaigns, end-of-year direct mail campaign, online silent auction campaigns, three annual benefit concerts, and relationships with institutional funders. 

This position is supported by a small development team whose duties the Director of Development will have a role in shaping. 

The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director.

ASTEP seeks an individual who is entrepreneurial and a strategic thinker with strong communications and writing skills.  The organization is well positioned for growth and impact.  This individual will be a key partner for a new Executive Director and will have an active role in shaping and supporting strategic initiatives.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Fundraising 

• Working with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team to meet the annual fundraising goal of $1 million for ASTEP's operations and programming 
• Cultivate major donors through personal visits, site visits, email and telephone calls, written proposals and events 
• Develop and implement online fundraising campaigns 
• Conduct ongoing donor research and prospecting activities 
• Oversee management of ASTEP’s donor database through Salesforce 
• Organize and systemize donor follow-through and stewardship 

Strategy/Board Relations 

• Create and execute a strategic annual fundraising plan that includes campaign dates and strategies, donor-tracking plans, special event details, and a targeted communication schedule for donor prospects at all levels, including institutions
• Establish a major gifts program and stewardship plan
• Prepare quarterly Board meeting presentation reports and supporting documents gathering input from the ASTEP team, as well as create communication outreach to ensure active engagement and stewardship of each Board member 

   

Communications/Marketing/Events 

• Produce annual spring gala, August and December benefit concerts, and grow annual event income, including online auction income 
• Oversee ASTEP social media and communication efforts

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience and at least five years of major gift and/or other fundraising experience; familiarity with all aspects of fundraising principles and practices
• Strong project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to successfully maintain and utilize database systems 
• Proven track record of increasing contributed income
• A proactive and highly motivated individual who demonstrates the initiative to grow the fundraising capacity of a small nonprofit
• Excellent communications skills, written and oral
• Grant-writing experience, a plus
• An understanding of and commitment to ASTEP’s mission and the populations we serve
• A team player (sense of humor helpful)
• A passion for the performing and visual arts and how arts education can benefit young people 

   

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

Salary range is between 90-100k annually. ASTEP provides a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, including: paid vacation and sick days, Medical and Dental insurance, 401k, FSA/Commuter, Life and Long Term Disability insurance.

Artists Striving to End Poverty provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, marital status or favorite color.