Summary
Description
Anderson Ranch seeks a dedicated, exceptionally organized, detail-oriented colleague who wants to be an essential part of a highly successful team. This will be a person who grows into a deep understanding of how a professional fundraising program works – from the system behind the scenes to how frontline fundraisers inspire gifts that change both the organization and the philanthropist behind it. The Development Assistant works closely with and assists the Director of Individual Philanthropy and Development Manager with administrative support and helps to develop and manage key fundraising programs. The person in this position will have the opportunity to learn from colleagues with decades of experience, gain a broad and deep knowledge of how annual funds, membership campaigns, and major gifts drive the success of a team and growing organization, and join a renowned creative community at Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
About:
Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a year-round visual-arts not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization with a 55-year history of providing transformative experiences that celebrate artists, art-making and creative dialog, at the intersection of craft and the global contemporary art world. Anderson Ranch brings together both aspiring and internationally renowned artists who come from across the country and around the world to test new ideas, explore new disciplines and techniques, hone their art-making skills, engage in meaningful dialog and connect with thought leaders in the artistic community.
Anderson Ranch’s campus is an artistic community nestled among the pristine peaks of the Rocky Mountains. The Ranch campus consists of 14 buildings providing 55,000 square feet of facilities including eight studio buildings, a gallery, a lecture hall, café, store, administrative offices, a student dormitory, as well as residential apartments and cabins. State-of-the-art equipment allows cross-disciplinary experimentation within the mediums of ceramics, woodworking, photography, digital fabrication, painting, sculpture and printmaking. The campus is an oasis of renovated 19th-century cabins and barns that sit alongside contemporary designed buildings, all within the renowned cultural and recreation communities of Aspen/Snowmass, CO, and the Roaring Fork Valley.
Anderson Ranch cultivates a culture of experimentation and collaboration, offering world-class art-making facilities and equipment across diverse mediums, experienced visiting faculty and access to the highest quality staff.
Mission:
Anderson Ranch’s mission is to enrich lives with art, inspiration and community.
We achieve this by offering:
- Workshops: Providing intensive 1-3-week workshops for artists of all levels and all ages that both improve technical art-making skills and provide transformative experiences for art makers.
- Advanced Mentoring Programs: Offering three-year mentoring programs that advance artistic practice and careers in the arts.
- Artist Residencies: Providing 5 and 10-week long juried Artists-in-Residence programs, which give emerging and mid-career professional artists the time, space and resources to develop new work using our world-class facilities.
- Visiting Artist Experiences: Providing flexible and unique curated experiences to support established national and international artists seeking a retreat to experiment in new mediums or with new techniques and ideas, supported by our staff.
- Anderson Ranch Editions: Artists are invited to work with our professional staff in our studios to make prints or multiples in traditional and cutting-edge processes.
- Community Engagement: Hosting lectures, discussions, seminars and special events which build a community that appreciates, understands and supports artmaking within the global contemporary art world and the human experience for both Anderson Ranch guests and the local community.
Work Culture:
- Changing Lives and Changing the World Through Art: We care about people and helping them improve their lives. We enable people to learn and grow, personally and professionally, in a challenging and supportive environment. We meet people where they are and help them reach their goals.
- Culture of Diversity & Inclusion: We learn from diversity, and it makes us stronger. At the center of our mission is helping people find their whole selves in their artistic practice. We strive to live the same values in our professional lives. That includes actively embracing diversity of age, race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental ability, as well as background and experience. We approach our work thoughtfully, learn from each other and share a commitment to inclusivity.
- Rigor & Excellence: We provide the best possible experience for our community of guests, including faculty, interns, students, residents, visiting artists, volunteers, supporters and staff. We demand the best from ourselves and each other.
- Culture of Critique: We believe in a “Culture of Critique” where we offer and receive honest feedback and support each other in learning and improving.
- Culture of Results, Connectivity and Flexibility: We believe overachieving is better than overworking. We prioritize Anderson Ranch and get the job done 110% by being available when needed, by being open, working collaboratively, welcoming feedback and getting work done efficiently, effectively and on time. Once this is achieved, we enjoy the flexibility of where and when we work; we can pursue our passions, be it artmaking, hobbies or special interests.
Position Summary: The Development Assistant role is a great opportunity to work in a highly creative and educational environment while learning and honing administrative and development skills that are key in a career in arts administration or in a nonprofit environment. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, proactive, a good decision-maker, independent, and communicative. They will play an important role on the Development team, and collaborate and support the Executive, Marketing, and Artistic teams. Crucial to this role is the ability to interact professionally and collaboratively with staff, donors, and students (of all levels). This position requires a willingness to learn and a consistent ability to accurately adhere to established policies and procedures.
Core Responsibilities:
- Development and Database Administration: An effective development team requires reliable and updated data. The Development Assistant takes ownership of timely and accurate data entry and management of our donor database, Raiser’s Edge (NXT), and gift reporting and acknowledgments. This includes:
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- Weekly gift processing, and prepare and mail acknowledgement letters and other correspondence.
- Track pledge payments.
- Continuously maintain and update constituent profile information, actions, notes, and attachments, and support portfolio managers in updating constituent information.
- Coordinate elements of gift renewal reminders via mail and email.
- Conduct basic queries and data reports.
- Create and track invoices and pledges.
- Proactively conduct action reports and reminders for portfolio managers.
- Development Event Support: Anderson Ranch conducts a number of Development events, including a gala, winter fundraising dinner, and other important stewardship events. This role is key in supporting and tracking the details surrounding these events, including:
- Track and support event timelines, including pre-event communication.
- Send and track invitations.
- Manage RSVPs and guest details.
- Day-of event support, ranging from setting up, conducting check-in and check-out, seating arrangements, welcoming guests, tracking auction items, invoicing, and more.
- Collaborate closely with the Manager of Events and Marketing department on event communications and event details.
- Support with post-event communications and needs.
- Administrative Support: This role requires collaborative teamwork, project management, and verbal and written communication skills in order to contribute to building philanthropic relationships for the organization. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
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- Take and distribute meeting agendas and minutes.
- Schedule meetings.
- Update donor materials, recognition lists, and displays.
- Research, compile, proofread, and edit gift reports, correspondence, meeting reports, and other items for department heads and fundraisers.
- Track, organize, and distribute student scholarship surveys and other donor stewardship projects.
- Grant writing support – Assist in preparing grant proposals and reports, ensuring compliance with guidelines.
- Support in drafting correspondence to donors, including newsletters, gift reports, and more.
- Support and implement changes and updates in systems and processes within the Development department.
- Coordinate hospitality, tours, and other donor experiences.
- Organize paper and digital Development files.
- Other special projects and support, as needed.
Staff Community Responsibilities:
- Community Outreach Leader: All staff members are expected to build and lead partnerships with community organizations as they relate to their area of responsibility, and to actively support the outreach efforts of other team members.
- Engaged & Supportive Team Member: All staff are expected to support colleagues and engage in the programs and events of the Ranch by attending lectures, artist talks, fundraising events, and community-wide events and being available to jump in and help make them a success.
- Professional & Personal Development: Continuing to learn and improve is a job requirement of all staff. Team members are expected to be growing, learning, and improving in their artistic and professional lives.
- Brand Ambassador: All team members are expected to comport themselves in a manner that is fitting with the organization; represent the Ranch both on and off-campus, as well as online and on social media, keeping in mind that positivity and professionalism are respected and appreciated.
Expected Skills and Qualifications:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Passion and commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite and CRM systems or ability to quickly learn databases, online tools, and donor and administrative software.
Education and Experience Required:
- Associate Degree
- Previous experience in fundraising or development is a plus (entry-level candidates welcome).
Physical Requirements:
- Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
- During events, light physical work that includes moving objects up to 15 pounds.
- The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms.
- Typical tasks as required to support work in and around art studios/facilities in a historic building space with uneven surfaces, stairs, gravel walkways, etc.
Other Duties:
- The descriptions above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the role.
- All personnel are required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
- The workload for this role should be able to be completed within a typical work day most of the year. During the summer months (June – August) and on occasion during the rest of the year, a flexible schedule and/or additional hours including weekend and/or evening hours may be required.
- This job description may be changed or updated at any time throughout employment.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Base Rate: $22-26 / hour
- Company paid medical insurance, option to add additional family
- Company paid HSA contribution
- Long- and short-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid Time Off – Up to 20 days during first year of service
- Paid Sick Leave
- Sabbatical Leave
- Professional/continuing education support
- Retirement plan 403(b) match
NOTE: The above is an abbreviated representation of benefits defined in the Employee Handbook, which governs all employment terms. No other verbal or written exceptions to those terms are honored without a written directive by the President and Chief Executive Officer and signed by the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
How to Apply:
