Summary
Description
The Denver School of the Arts Friends Foundation (DSAFF) is a 501c3 non-profit that funds vital aspects of the Denver School of the Arts’ mission, filling gaps not covered by Denver Public Schools’ support. DSA is a conservatory-model arts-magnet public school that serves more than 1,000 students from throughout the Denver metro area in grades 6-12. Students major in one of DSA’s 11 arts programs that are each run by one or more artistic directors.
DSAFF funding supports a guest-artist program that annually brings 100+ prominent global and local artists and scholars into DSA classrooms to teach specific art techniques, provide external critique of student work, and help students envision a range of career possibilities; a Student Success Fund to provide students facing financial hardship with funding for academic tutoring, private arts lessons, performance attire, supplies, AP courses and more; and a summer-intensive scholarship funded by an endowment.
ABOUT THE POSITION
We are searching for a Development Director to lead fundraising, with a strategic focus on development, planning, budgeting, communications and operations. This position serves as the primary conduit between the foundation and the leaders of DSA and each of its 11 arts programs.
Working closely with the DSAFF Board of Directors, the DSA Principal and a soon-to-be-hired Artistic Director (funded by the Friends Foundation), the Development Director will guide and supervise the organization’s core functions including finance and operations, individual giving, corporate and major gifts, grant application and management, communication and programming, while leveraging key partnerships.
Among the Development Director’s responsibilities are:
Development:
- Enhance and sustain development efforts through a strategic, comprehensive and long-term revenue-development plan including individual donors, foundations, corporations and major gifts
- Build and ensure high-quality donor cultivation and stewardship through individual meetings, donor-stewardship events and relationship nurturing
- Work to research and identify funding sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, submitting proposals and appropriate reports
- Identify opportunities to establish new partnerships and leverage collective efforts with common stakeholders
- Planning and execution of annual fundraising events
Leadership & Management:
- Oversee and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the organization and programming
- Recommend timelines and resources needed to achieve strategic goals
- Actively engage and energize DSAFF Board members, partnering organizations and funders
- Support and develop a strong Board of Directors, seeking and building board involvement with strategic direction
- Ensure effective nonprofit best practices and accountability toward ongoing organizational excellence and consistent quality of finance and operations
- Ensure effective methods to track and report the foundation’s impact to the DSAFF Board, DSA Principal, DSA Artistic Director and funders
- Manage and maintain donor database
- Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in other national arts schools in order to help ensure best practices within DSAFF
- Lead and evaluate DSAFF contractors and/or staff
Program Management:
- Collaborate with DSA leadership to ensure that DSAFF guest-artist funding is used as intended and in a manner that creates maximum impact for students
- Collaborate with contractors/DSAFF staff, if appropriate to manage Student Success Fund application and fulfillment process
- Collaborate with DSA staff (and contractors/DSAFF staff, if appropriate) to manage Schomp Scholarship application, award and fulfillment process
- Provide support, as needed, to DSA staff to manage and distribute DSA Box Office revenue
Communication:
- Serve as the chief spokesperson for DSAFF
- Maintain and develop relationships with local and national arts schools and arts organizations
- Promote a positive public image of DSA and the impact crated by DSAFF
- Ensure effective and robust communication among the DSAFF Board, DSA Faculty & Staff and the DSA community
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education and Experience: At least five years of successful nonprofit experience with a proven fundraising track record and network of relationships. Experience managing staff or contractors, and getting maximum impact from a nonprofit Board. Experience in arts and/or education fundraising is preferred, but not required.
- Project Management: A self-starter with outstanding critical-thinking, problem-solving and project-management skills.
- Writing and Communication Skills: Superb writing and personal-communication skills. Must be capable of maintaining clear, effective, timely communication with multiple audiences.
- Digital Capabilities: Superb skills with Donor Perfect or Raisers Edge, or some other donor/customer relationship management software. Fluency with digital content management systems (email, website, social media) and basic design tools (e.g., Canva).
- Teamwork and Humanity: A natural ability to understand, empathize and forge authentic connections with a diverse mix of individuals. Highly collaborative work style.
- Hiring Requirements: A valid Colorado driver’s license and the ability to pass a criminal background check.
What we offer:
- Excellent starting salary of $80,000-$90,000
- A full benefits package including health insurance, and fully funded health savings account, paid time off, and mobile phone reimbursement.
- Stipends for professional development and learning opportunities, home office needs and technology and transportation expenses.
- A hybrid role with office space, supplies and facilities at DSA.
For more information about DSAFF, please visit our website: https://dsafriends.org/. If you believe this position would be the right position for you, please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration. The foundation is accepting candidate applications through Monday April 6th and will be in touch with qualified candidates regarding next steps. We look forward to connecting with you!
