Director of Development

Summary of Position

The Museum of Art + Light (MoA+L) seeks an experienced Director of Development to lead MoA+L’s annual fundraising efforts, located in Manhattan, Kansas. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position is responsible for creating and implementing long‑ and short‑term strategies to generate and maximize contributed income that supports the MoA+L mission and priorities, including capital, programming, cash reserve, and endowment campaigns.

The Director of Development coordinates and manages the organization’s institutional development program and assists in developing and maintaining active and productive relationships with board members, individual and institutional donors, and government officials. The Director helps forge new external relationships to build MoA+L visibility, impact and financial success.

The person in this position must contribute to all phases of projects, thrive in a small, tight‑knit team, and possess a wide range of skills and qualifications including art museum acumen, personable and engaging qualities. They must work effectively with diverse staff, be highly organized, have good initiative, take ownership, and have excellent project management skills. The candidate should be a team player who works successfully in a dynamic, collaborative environment and has a track record in developing and implementing innovative ideas, while not afraid to take on administrative duties.

• Direct the planning and implementation of a range of fundraising programs to achieve the organization’s contributed revenue goals for annual operations ($2M annually).
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, maintain, expand, and implement an annual fundraising plan with financial goals, objectives, and strategies for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major individual gifts, sustaining partnership gifts, corporate, local and national foundation gifts, and sponsor ships. Prepare periodic reports for the Executive Director that track fundraising against established development targets.
• Identify new individual and institutional funding sources and trends to support MoA+L fundraising efforts.
• Forge strategic partnerships with major companies and key community leadership to support MoA+L programs and organizational priorities.
• Provide leadership and administrative support for various MoA+L fundraising and event committees; organize regularly scheduled fundraising and event committee meetings, including presentation materials; oversee and coordinate follow‑up to committee meetings and assist members as needed.
• Plan, fundraise, and execute the annual gala and manage the efforts of the event planning team.
• Coordinate special fundraising and/or cultivation events to secure new friends and donors. Work closely with the Executive Director to ensure productive and efficient relationships with event committees and/or consultants.
• Coordinate and supervise any annual sustaining membership campaign and direct mail programs, with support of development staff.
• Oversee the maintenance of all development files and records regarding prospective contributors on all levels and ensure that all other necessary records are available as needed for smooth development and auditing operations.
• Oversee Development Coordinator in establishing all donor database systems and developing procedures to track, record, report, acknowledge, and recognize all contributions and ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all fundraising, prospect, donor, and fundraising volunteer communications.
• Manage and oversee a grants writer in the successful completion of funding applications and follow‑up reports.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to develop fundraising materials. Assist the Executive Director and Marketing team in the design and production of all major fundraising publications, including MoA+L’s website and social media. Work with designers and printers to promote the annual fund and friend‑raising goals and activities.
• Source national funders and manage special projects related to the cultivation of new donors.
• Coordinate with Director of Finance & Operations and external…