1. art and entertainment

POSITION GUIDE
DIRECTOR
OF
DEVELOPMENT
The National Guild for Community Arts Education, founded in 1937 and now
serving
over
400
members,
seeks
a
committed,
experienced,
and
entrepreneurial Director of Development to formalize a fundraising program
and extend the organization’s ability to increase equitable access to lifelong
learning opportunities in the arts.
Phone calls are welcome to:
Mark Heimbigner, General Manager
Dunch Arts, LLC
212-877-0500
NGCAE@DunchArts.com
Confidential:
This document is confidential and is provided to the named recipient. The information contained herein is a combination of
confidential Dunch Arts, LLC internal information and confidential communications between Dunch Arts and its client. This document has been
prepared with Dunch Arts LLC’s best efforts but may require future corrections. Distribution of this document by the named recipient requires the preapproval of Dunch Arts, LLC.
POSITION GUIDE
Director of Development
ABOUT THE NATIONAL GUILD FOR COMMUNITY ARTS EDUCATION
Founded in 1937, the National Guild’s mission is to support and advance access to lifelong learning opportunities
in the arts. We believe that involvement in the arts enriches individual lives and improves communities. The Guild
currently has an annual budget of $1.6 million and more than 400 member organizations nationwide. Working
collaboratively with a broad range of practitioners and stakeholders within and beyond the arts and education
sectors, the Guild builds the capacity of community arts education providers to 1) deliver quality programs that are
sustainable and equitable; 2) secure greater financial support, and 3) contribute to systemic change to ensure all
people have access to arts education. We do this by providing professional development and information
resources, ongoing networking opportunities, and leadership development for current and future arts education
leaders. We also work to increase awareness and support for community arts education and investment in the field
by developing strategic partnerships and leveraging the assets of current and emerging leaders in the field.
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Our more than 400 member organizations include community schools of the arts, arts centers, and arts education
divisions of performing arts institutions, universities, museums, and other organizations. They are located in urban,
suburban, and rural communities in 45 states. Together our members serve 2.5 million students of all ages each
year by providing open access to classes, lessons, and workshops in dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theater,
and visual arts. Many also are providing learning/development through the arts with a focus on positive aging,
youth and community development, and other areas. They reach 10 million more Americans through performances
and exhibitions each year. Through partnerships with public schools, senior centers, prisons, veterans’ groups, and
other agencies, Guild members help ensure the broadest possible access to arts education.
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Tel: (212) 877-0500
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Page 2 of 6
POSITION GUIDE
Director of Development
MEMBER PROGRAMS/BENEFITS
Our programs help community arts education organizations grow and develop. We contribute to the advancement
of organizations, leadership, and the field at large through professional development and information resources,
networking opportunities, grants, and advocacy.
 Information Resources: Quarterly newsletter Guildnotes; Community Arts Education Online Resource
Center; Twice-monthly Member E-Bulletin; How-to guides, case studies, and benchmarking data reports.
 Networking: Constituent networks; local ambassador activities; regional chapters; online discussion
forum; online member directory; and Peer Advisory Service. Extensive networking opportunities are also
offered at the national Conference for Community Arts Education and other events throughout the year.
 Professional Development Opportunities: Annual Conference for Community Arts Education;
Community Arts Education Leadership Institute (CAELI); training institutes; webinars; and technical
assistance.
 Grants: Past grant programs have focused on key initiative areas of creative aging and partnerships with
public schools.
 Key Initiatives: Creative Youth Development (CYD) Initiative; MetLife Foundation Creative Aging
Initiative; Partners in Arts Education; and Teaching Artist Development and Pathways.
 Advocacy: National coalitions and partnerships; representation at national events; policy agendas, white
papers, and other advocacy resources.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Arts education enriches individual lives and improves communities. To ensure all people have access to arts
learning throughout their lifespans, we must work together as a field to create an environment that is more favorable
to arts education. Key areas of focus include changing how funding flows; leveraging new financial, social, and
intellectual resources through strategic partnerships; framing and articulating our value; and forging connections
between community arts education and civic priorities.
Working collaboratively with a broad range of practitioners and stakeholders within and beyond the arts and
education sectors, the National Guild’s broad objectives are: to build the capacity of community arts education
providers and to increase awareness and support of community arts education and investment in the field. We have
identified the following areas of focus that are critical in realizing our vision over the next three to five years:
 Develop our capacity to facilitate and activate constituent networks
 Focus on leadership development of current and future leaders
 Revise membership model and services
 Build knowledge of community arts education
 Enhance and expand professional development opportunities and information resources
 Increase financial, human, and technological resources to support our vision
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Tel: (212) 877-0500
NGCAE@DunchArts.com
Page 3 of 6
POSITION GUIDE
Director of Development
THE POSITION
The National Guild for Community Arts Education’s (National Guild) new Director of Development will join a
national service organization dedicated to supporting and advancing equitable access to lifelong learning
opportunities in the arts. S/he will join a senior management team led by Executive Director Jonathan Herman, and
will lead a small development staff in raising approximately $1M in contributed income annually. Moreover, s/he
will partner closely with the Executive Director and the Board in building strategies to increase the fundraising
revenues of the organization.
The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial, energetic, and experienced development leader with a
commitment to the National Guild’s mission. S/he will have the ability to develop, prioritize, and implement
comprehensive individual and institutional strategies that build the institution’s capacities, and a track record of
competing successfully for philanthropic support in a crowded cultural marketplace. The candidate will have major
gifts and special events experience and the willingness to work closely with the senior management team to
maximize fundraising from institutional sources including: foundations, corporate sponsors, and government
agencies on the federal, state, and local levels. S/he will be able to successfully steward and strengthen
relationships with current and prospective funders.
The successful candidate will have superb interpersonal skills and be an excellent communicator in verbal, written,
and presentation forms. S/he will be a collaborative team member, adept at building relationships with colleagues
throughout the organization. S/he will serve a passionate and committed 25-member Board of Trustees, led by
Chairman Terry Hueneke. S/he will be mature, polished, and diplomatic—able to appropriately support the
development priorities of the Board and senior management. At the same time, the candidate will be a selfmotivated advocate for the National Guild and a resourceful fundraising strategist. S/he will build positive
relationships with individuals and organizations throughout the community to heighten awareness of the National
Guild to expand bases of philanthropic support at all levels.
Prior experience in marketing will be favorably regarded, as s/he will be involved in developing a comprehensive
strategy to steward and communicate with current donors, and attract new donors to the organization.
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Tel: (212) 877-0500
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Page 4 of 6
POSITION GUIDE
Director of Development
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
1. STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT: In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board, develop, prioritize,
and implement comprehensive development strategies, with measurable goals and objectives that meet the
National Guild’s annual operating requirements. Build the continuing groundwork for increasing contributed
revenue in subsequent development cycles.
2. BOARD RELATIONS:
Work with senior leadership to motivate and strengthen the Board in its role in
development. Expand, manage and coordinate the trustees’ and other volunteers’ involvement in fundraising
activities. Serve as liaison to the Board development committee.
3. INDIVIDUAL GIVING:
Spearhead the National Guild’s major gifts and individual giving programs to
achieve annual fundraising budgets. Devise and implement new strategies and program-based fundraising
initiatives to acquire, renew, and upgrade major donors. Oversee prospect research efforts and manage a
portfolio of major donors. Assign portfolios to Board members and coach, train, and motivate them to
successfully steward and solicit major gifts. Plan and manage the annual fund direct mail program and
associated fundraising initiatives.
4. INSTITUTIONAL FUNDRAISING:
Manage the organization’s diverse relationships with government,
foundations, and corporations for continued success in institutional fundraising. Supervise the research and
timely preparation of all foundation, corporate, and government grant proposals. Collaborate with the
Executive Director and program staff on program grants and proposals. Oversee grant stewardship,
administration, and reporting.
5. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: Support Board members and Executive Director in their efforts to identify and
solicit corporate sponsorships for National Guild programs, annual conference, and special events. Research
corporate linkages and prospects; create and manage a corporate sponsorship pipeline; develop corporate
sponsorship packages; solicit sponsorships and steward corporate donors.
6. SPECIAL EVENTS:
Plan and oversee the development of special events to expand individual contributions.
Work closely with the staff, trustees, and other volunteers to maximize the effectiveness of special events.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT: Develop and maintain systems, processes and procedures that support
the development function. Supervise the preparation and processing of donor acknowledgements. Oversee the
maintenance of all tracking systems of donor records, files, databases, and ongoing statistics. Review and
update public donor listings for the website, invitations, programs and any other public forum. Strategize with
marketing manager to develop donor communications for the organization.
8. FINANCIAL AND STAFF MANAGEMENT: Prepare and provide necessary interim and annual financial
reports and fundraising projections for institutional funders and the Board. Mentor and supervise development
staff. Recruit, train, manage and monitor the work goals and objectives of direct reports to succeed.
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Tel: (212) 877-0500
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Page 5 of 6
POSITION GUIDE
Director of Development
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
•
A Bachelor’s degree, or higher from an accredited university or college;
•
A minimum of six to eight years of development and leadership experience in the non-profit or private
sector;
•
Substantial experience working successfully with high-net-worth individuals, Boards of Trustees, and Board
committees, preferably in the New York philanthropic community, with a demonstrated track record of
successfully closing major gifts in a competitive, sophisticated donor environment;
•
Experience working in a collaborative environment with staff, the Board, and senior management in a fastpaced, creatively-driven organization; and the ability to meet deadlines and multi-task;
•
Strong planning, strategy, financial, budgeting, analytical, and communication skills required;
•
Proficiency in MS Suite (Word, Excel & PowerPoint) and an understanding of existing fundraising software
and databases;
•
Knowledge of the arts and/or arts education fund development, and a commitment to the National Guild’s
mission, programs, and future plans;
•
Ability and willingness to occasionally work evenings/weekends to manage and/or attend events.
COMPENSATION
Compensation, including benefits, is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
HOW TO APPLY
To formally apply, please submit the following materials in a single PDF document to NGCAE@DunchArts.com
•
Cover letter;
•
Resume with salary history;
•
Three (3) development writing samples; and
•
Three (3) professional references, who will not be contacted without the approval of the candidate.
All inquiries and materials will be confidential. Applications will be acknowledged. Please do not mail hard copies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
www.nationalguild.org
The National Guild for Community Arts Education is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization and an equal opportunity employer that
provides equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited
by state or federal law. This policy also prohibits employees from harassing any other employees for any reason including, but not limited to,
race, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disabled status.
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Tel: (212) 877-0500
NGCAE@DunchArts.com
Page 6 of 6