Associate Director, Individual Giving

Associate Director, Individual Giving

Art Center College of Design is searching for an experienced Associate Director, Individual Giving to join our team. The salary range for this position: $80,000.. Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

About Art Center Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, Art Center College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. Art Center is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Every position at Art Center plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Reporting to the director of Development, the associate director, individual giving oversees the strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for donors giving $1,500–$9,999 annually. The incumbent is responsible for developing personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen engagement, increase giving, and strengthen the pipeline to major gifts.

This position serves as a key partner on the Major Gift team to Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Alumni Engagement, and Advancement Services and supports volunteer engagement initiatives connected to Advancement-affiliated membership groups, including the Art Center
100 Board.

This is a full-time in-region position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed hybrid with the expectation of at least 3 days in the office or required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings.

The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Maybe required to work nights and weekends to staff department events.

Mid-Level Donor Portfolio Management – 30 %

• Manage a defined portfolio of mid-level donors through proactive, personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Develop individualized engagement plans based on donor interests, capacity, and readiness to give
• Execute renewal, upgrade, and retention strategies designed to grow philanthropic investment and long-term donor loyalty
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned donors, ensuring consistent, thoughtful, and donor-centered engagement

Pipeline Development and Collaboration – 15%

• Identify and qualify donors with major gift potential and actively support pipeline development
• Partner with Major Gifts, Annual Giving, and Advancement leadership to ensure seamless prospect transitions and strategy alignment
• Collaborate with Annual Giving on segmentation, messaging, and coordinated outreach strategies for mid-level donors
• Work closely with Alumni Engagement and Industry Engagement colleagues to leverage programs, events, and volunteer opportunities that deepen donor involvement

Stewardship and Donor Engagement – 20 %

• Design and execute stewardship strategies appropriate for mid-level donors, including personalized acknowledgements, updates, and engagement opportunities
• Contribute to donor communications, briefings, and targeted initiatives that highlight the impact of philanthropy and reinforce donor connection to the College
• Participate in donor-facing events and cultivation opportunities, including select evening and weekend activities

Volunteer and Membership Program Support – 20%

• Support Advancement-affiliated volunteer and membership groups, including the Art Center
  100 Board
• Assist in developing engagement strategies, communications, and stewardship plans for volunteers
• Partner with internal teams to align volunteer engagement with fundraising and pipeline priorities
• Foster strong relationships with volunteers to…