Overview

Founded in 1972, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is a multidisciplinary urban arts center based in Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual, performing, and literary arts, and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts. We operate out of two landmark buildings: the Jamaica Arts Center, with five floors of galleries, artist studios, rehearsal spaces, flexible spaces, a black-box theater and office space; and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, a 400-seat, flexible proscenium theater. Through a major capacity-building grant, and as part of JCAL’s upcoming strategic planning process, we are recruiting a full-time Director of Institutional Advancement, a crucial senior management role. (Mondays are remote; in-person otherwise.) Responsibilities include:

Department Management:

  • Oversee all institutional and programmatic fundraising: public and private foundation support; corporate and individual giving programs; general donations and membership; special events and initiatives.
  • Develop creative strategies for board and donor cultivation and acquisition, including briefings, events, partnerships, and volunteer engagement as well as managing all pertinent follow-up activities.
  • Craft all written materials related to the organization’s advancement, from LOIs, proposals and reports to budgets, narratives, pitch-decks, correspondence and campaigns.
  • Design a comprehensive fundraising plan, including annual and long-term fundraising targets that will align with the organization’s strategic plan.
  • Draw from program knowledge, client stories, and outcomes to generate effective solicitations through e-appeals, direct mail, social media, newsletters, and other mediums.
  • Prioritize thoughtful, open, authentically inclusive collaboration across departments.
  • Share one Administrative Assistant with the Executive Director and business office.

 Areas of Contributed Support:

  • Maintain good working relationships with NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs (experience with capital projects a plus), NYC Dept. of Probation, NYC Dept. of Education, NY State Council on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts.
  • Maintain comprehensive grant calendar, tracking opportunities and deadlines.
  • Guarantee on-time, thorough compliance with all grant contracts and expectations.
  • Identify local/regional/national for-profits whose corporate social responsibility policy aligns with JCAL’s mission, also pursuing sponsorship opportunities as appropriate.
  • Place individual giving at the center of the organization’s growing culture of philanthropy, and land two major gifts by January 2025.
  • Oversee and expand membership program in partnership with the Director of Marketing.
  • Meet revenue targets and help produce annual gala with Executive Director and Board of Directors.

 Qualifications and Skills Needed:

  • Minimum B.A./B.F.A.; advanced degree in arts/culture or business a plus; M.A./M.F.A. a plus.
  • Minimum 5 years fundraising experience, preferably in an arts environment in NYC.
  • Demonstrable track record of success across all areas of nonprofit fundraising.
  • Ability to write/edit thought-provoking narratives and craft compelling cases for support.
  • High emotional and cognitive intelligence, including strong interpersonal and listening skills.
  • Deep respect for the diverse cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds of our artists and audiences.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word/PowerPoint/Excel), all social media platforms, and at least one fundraising database or CRM.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some weekend and evening work related to fundraising events and meetings, and also travel as needed.
  • Matchless multitasker who doesn’t like their time (or anyone’s else’s) wasted.
  • Acquaintance with active verbs, subject/verb agreement, and good punctuation.

Someone need not meet 100% of the qualifications for this role to be seriously considered. If much of this position suits you, then we strongly encourage and welcome your application.

JCAL, an Equal Opportunity Employer, honors the values of its board-approved Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Plan, with the goal of building and nurturing a culturally diverse, community responsive team. We warmly welcome all eligible applicants; candidates who identify as BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color) are encouraged to apply. No phone calls or outreach via social media.