Development & Communications Director

Development & Communications Director

Craft Alliance

Founded in 1964, Craft Alliance is a nonprofit art center dedicated to nurturing creativity and engagement, educating and enriching our community through contemporary craft. Located in the Delmar Maker District of St. Louis, Missouri, Craft Alliance offers exhibitions, education classes for all skill levels, free community programs, artist residencies, and a gallery shop.

Position:

The Development & Communications Director develops and implements a comprehensive fundraising program, including special events, membership, major giving, and grants. They must develop a vision that will inspire staff to reach and hopefully exceed goals and to work within departmental budgets. The Development & Communications Director occupies an important leadership position in the organization and serves as a member of the Leadership Team. This position oversees the Development and Communications team members, currently three, full-time positions, and works with the Development Committee (comprised of Board and community members).

Responsibilities:

• Align with and represent the organization’s mission and values
• Develop a comprehensive fundraising program to include annual gifts major gifts, corporate and foundation gifts
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors for major gifts
• Develop presentations and proposal packages for public funding agencies, foundations, corporations, and other donors
• Create and execute an annual campaign, including direct mail
• Supervise the recording and tracking of donors and contributions in the organization database (DonorView)
• Staff liaison to the Development Committee
• Supervise the membership program and membership solicitation
• Develop a comprehensive communications campaign for the organization including branding, website, advertising, social media channels, etc., in conjunction with the Marketing & Design Manager
• Confer with senior program staff on programmatic funding needs
• Plan and supervise annual fundraising events (including: event committee, print materials, sponsor solicitations, auction solicitation, and event logistics for) for gala-type event as well as other fundraising and cultivation events throughout the year
• Attend Board meetings, as well as Development and some Finance Committee meetings
• Assist with budgeting process to set goals and priorities
• Manage necessary fundraising reports
• Track and adhere to organizational grant deadlines
• Works in concert with the Executive Director on other development tasks as needed

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent experience
• 3-5 years direct experience in fundraising, including annual fund, major gift solicitation, corporate and foundation grants, and capital campaigns
• Demonstrated ability to set and meet fund raising goals
• Experience in cultural nonprofit management
• Experience in a Board-led organization, working with Board Members and volunteers
• Record of progressive advancement in responsibilities
• Strong demonstrable communication skills, both oral and written
• Basic computer skills, including experience with donor databases
• Knowledge of local, regional, and national funding opportunities
• Prepared to work evenings and weekends
• Knowledge of planned giving (desired)
• Knowledge of local community (desired)

Relationships:

• Reports to the Executive Director
• Participates in Development Team activities
• Works with other Department Team members in support of program funding requests
• Liaison to the Development Committee, particularly the Chair/Co-chairs
• Direct management responsibility for Development & Communications staff (currently three people)
• Represents Craft Alliance in the community, particularly with current and potential donors

All Applicants Must Apply with (incomplete applications will not be considered):

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of significant accomplishments
• Writing samples – thank you letter, a proposal to a corporation or a foundation, solicitation letter to a major donor, etc.
• Three to five professional references, including immediate past employer if considered for job offer

Please send the above information to bryan.knicely@craftalliance.org in a single PDF with Development & Communications Director in subject line. No phone calls please. Interviews will take place on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We celebrate diversity at Craft Alliance, and we hope you will be part of our creative team!

Benefits:

• Generous PTO allowance
• Major Medical Health Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan with employer matching option
• Discounts on purchases in the Gallery Shop
• Discounts on Craft Alliance classes
• Studio access
• Professional memberships as appropriate

Status: Exempt/Full-Time (updated December 2023)

Diversity Statement – Craft Alliance is committed to embracing diversity in all its forms, fostering an inclusive work environment where a wide-range of characteristics, backgrounds, and perspectives thrive. We believe that by valuing and leveraging this diversity, we drive innovation, creativity, and the success of our organization. We strive to promote diversity and inclusion on our board, among our staff and volunteers, and in our programming.