Two National Advancement Positions Available at Artspace

Artspace is seeking to add two new colleagues to our National Advancement team, which helps to raise the philanthropic support necessary to keep our organization healthy and new projects advancing through our pipeline. This is an unusual organization that blends a non-profit mission with an entrepreneurial culture. We looking for dynamic people who can help us reach a new level of excellence.

Organization

Artspace is a non-profit real estate developer with a mission to create, foster and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations. To date we have developed nearly 40 “art spaces” from coast-to-coast at a total development cost of $427 million. Our portfolio is unique in its scale, and has helped inspire leaders across political, financial, community development, and philanthropic sectors to think differently about the capacity of low-income artists to be extraordinary partners in building better communities.

Artspace’s major activities include new project development, currently at a rate of opening 2 – 4 projects per year; the maintenance and operations of our existing portfolio; and a growing consulting practice that helps share what we have learned through 30 years of practice. Artspace is headquartered in Minneapolis with regional offices in New York, Washington, DC, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Seattle. 

Artspace is a distinctly entrepreneurial organization, and one that thrives at the intersection of many fields – the arts, affordable housing, economic development, historic and cultural preservation. Real estate development is complex, uncertain and full of risk – and all of those qualities are woven into our organizational culture. Our projects require individuals to be able to work effectively in places as different as New York City and the Pine Ridge Reservation, and from bank credit review committees to neighborhood meetings.

Working at Artspace is not for everybody, but for some it is a calling. A substantial portion of our team has been with the organization for 10, 15 or even 20 years and consider it their life’s work.

What follows are two job descriptions, and dowloadable PDFs below. 

Annual Fund Director Position

The Annual Fund Director is a new position that reflects emerging priorities within Artspace. Artspace’s annual budget is typically in the $15 – 18 million range, and on an annual basis Artspace raises between $5 – 7 million from philanthropic sources. The majority of fundraising is linked to the predevelopment and capital needs of new projects, and our most significant sources of support have been foundations. At this time, Artspace is seeking to expand its Annual Fund (minimally restricted, general support) from approximately $2 million to $3 million per year, and specifically to deepen our base of individual donors.

The Annual Fund Director will report to the Senior Vice President of National Advancement and be part of a 7-member National Advancement team that blends fundraising and communications. The Annual Fund Director will be responsible for all aspects of the Annual Fund and will directly oversee our Advancement Associate.

Although Artspace works across the country and travel is an integral part of our lives, we are seeking a colleague who will be physically based in our Minneapolis office.

Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate all and lead most activities necessary to reaching our Annual Fund goals. These include:
  • Significantly expand our individual giving program and develop our annual fund program into a major source of organizational support
  • Grant writing and management
  • Prospecting new, and managing existing foundation relationships outside of our capital projects program
  • Expanding and managing corporate sponsorship
• Systematize and monitor all donor and prospect information, and provide necessarily analysis to understand trends and opportunities
• Systematize and lead stewardship practices that advance sustained and growing support
• Support, and where appropriate lead, special events
• Provide support to the President and Senior Vice President of National Advancement in Advancement work
• Participate with National Advancement colleagues in departmental planning 

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Driven to exceed goals and welcoming of opportunity and new responsibilities
• 5 - 7 years experience in a Development Department with an emphasis on individual donor development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Detail-oriented and adept at information management
• Comfortable making direct solicitations when appropriate
• Sophistication with prospect research
• Ability to travel – our supporters are spread across the country
• Ability to engage volunteers (board +) in fundraising efforts
• A background, even as an amateur, as a practicing artist is welcome

Advancement Associate Position 

Artspace’s basic operations benefit from an Annual Fund that is expanding from approximately $2 million to $3 million per year. The Advancement Associate – a new position – will coordinate activity in support of the Annual Fund and Annual Fund Director, including help developing and implementing strategies to build a broader base of Foundation, Corporate, and individual donor support.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, and frequently implement, the activities – grants, sponsorships, direct mail and individual requests, etc. – that generate Annual Fund support

• Stewardship of most Annual Fund donors, including but not limited to grant administration and reporting

• Support National Advancement team with new strategies to expand donor pool

• Maintain donor/prospect database and files

• Support special projects and events including sponsorship of the annual Breaking Ground event

• Provide administrative support for the National Advancement Department

Required Skills/Qualifications:

• Driven to exceed goals and welcoming of opportunity and new responsibilities

• Strong written and verbal communications

• Detail-oriented and adept at information management

• Sophistication with prospect research

• 3 – 5 years experience in a Development Department

• Direct mail campaign management a plus

• Online fundraising experience a plus

• Management/support of volunteer fundraisers a plus

Artspace provides equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of

race, creed, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or

status with regard to public assistance, disability, sex or age.

Please download the PDF job descriptions below for more information and how to apply.