Development Officer (Full-time, Exempt)

Development Officer

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation seeks a motivated and collaborative individual for the role of Development Officer. The selected candidate will manage the identification, cultivation, and successful solicitation of a pool of donors, inspiring them to contribute towards the museum’s mission to share great art with people throughout the Commonwealth. The selected candidate will join an enthusiastic team of fundraising professionals in the formative stage of a comprehensive campaign poised to transform a beloved institution.

 

Responsibilities include the following as well as other related duties:

  • Develop a deep knowledge of the museum’s many programs, collecting areas, and fundraising priorities.
  • Maintain a portfolio of 125 – 150 prospects and donors, developing and executing comprehensive strategies for major gifts, both outright and planned;
  • Execute at least 10 significant contacts to donors and prospects per month reflecting significant prospect movement from identification to cultivation to solicitation to stewardship;
  • Develop 20-25 individualized proposals annually, and creating giving opportunities for planned and outright major gift prospects
  • Assist in setting and then achieving annual goals for major gifts;
  • Solicit annual/membership gift renewals and upgrades on an ongoing basis
  • Play a key role in project planning and implementation of the annual fundraising plan
  • Contribute significantly to major gifts team including collaborative gift and cultivation strategies, pipeline updates, tax law changes and stewardship opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Proven success in fundraising and relationship-building
  • Track record of securing gifts that align with donor interests and the organization’s priorities through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.
  • Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices and experience with creating and writing multifaceted proposals.
  • Demonstrated ability to present compelling cases for support to high-net-worth prospects.
  • Significant experience with collaborating proactively, strategically, and positively with diverse constituencies within a fundraising team, senior leadership, board members, colleagues throughout the museum, as well as major gift prospects and donors.
  • High level of personal motivation, positivity, and a sense of urgency.
  • Exceptional authentic, engaging, and persuasive communication and interpersonal skills that display tact and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Previous experience in a museum, educational, or other nonprofit fundraising setting
  • Experience working with volunteer leaders in an organization
  • Experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar database

Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 annually

This salaried, exempt position offers competitive employee benefits, including 14 paid holidays, a comprehensive health benefits package, and more!

Special Requirement:

  • Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check.

Applications will be accepted until 11:55 pm on August 11th, 2024. 

To apply, please submit the following to recruitment@vmfa.museum:

  • Brief cover letter
  • Resumé
  • Names and contact information for three professional references

Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Read more