KID smART’s Fund Development department drives the organization’s financial sustainability and is led by two equally responsible Managing Directors who oversee all aspects of fundraising and donor relations. The Managing Director of Individual Giving executes a comprehensive fund development plan focused on individual, major, and planned gifts. They lead relationship-building efforts with potential and existing individual donors, support the Executive Director in representing KID smART at community events, and conduct presentations on behalf of the organization. Working with the Board of Directors and Executive Director, the Managing Director of Individual Giving designs and implements a values-aligned cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategy that secures sustainable financial support for KID smART’s continued growth.

As part of KID smART’s 25th Anniversary year, the organization has launched a $3 million capital campaign to secure programming space and expansion.

Managing Director of Individual Giving responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Donor Relationship Cultivation

• Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward individual support to fund KID smART’s ongoing operations and, when needed, special projects
• Develop multifaceted engagement plans for donors and prospects, at all levels of giving, that increase KID smART’s donor retention rate (events, mailings, digital outreach, virtual & in-person meetings, and site tours)
• Conduct in-depth research, and analyze donor data to identify potential major gift donors, and refine solicitation and cultivation strategies
• Work with the Executive Director and Board to facilitate high-level donor meetings and solicitations
• Utilize good stewardship practices to maintain strong relationships with KID smART’s donor base, and to build a more racially diverse and inclusive base of individual donors
• Ensure timely and appropriate recognition and acknowledgment of donors' contributions

Fundraising Strategy Development and Fulfillment

• Working with the Managing Director of Institutional Strategy & Development, create a comprehensive, year-round fundraising plan that considers the following types of donors: Individual, Foundation, Corporate, and Government
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, coordinate KID smART’s Capital Campaign, including all day-to-day operations, communications, planning and execution.
• Work collaboratively with KID smART Executive Director, Board Members, and Committees to develop and implement annual and long-term funding strategies to increase the number of donors and size of contributions
• Partner across all teams/departments to enhance fundraising and to ensure alignment with organizational goals 
• Ensure unified and consistent messaging in all fundraising campaigns
• Coordinate major gift campaigns and special fundraising initiatives
• Create a Planned Giving strategy

Board Support, Reporting, and Compliance 

• Work with the Managing Director of Institutional Strategy & Development to lead the Board's Fund Development Committee and present regular fundraising reports at Board meetings
• Provide as needed guidance, focused on individual and major gifts, to Board members
• Monitor, assess, and report on the progress of individual and major gift fundraising
• Ensure fundraising activities comply with relevant regulations and organizational and ethical standards

Community Relations

• Cultivate community interest, support, and retention by creating and organizing  donor & prospect engagement events throughout the year
• Effectively convey the work of the organization, its vision, goals, and accomplishments.
• With a team consisting of the  Managing Director of Individual Giving, Managing Director of Institutional Strategy & Development, Communications Director, and Outreach & Events Manager, be responsible for working with Board and Staff to manage the following events/initiatives:
• • Cocktails for KID smART
  • Creative Collective Monthly Giving
  • GiveNOLA Day
  • Giving Tuesday
  • Year End Appeal
• Attend events and represent KID smART as directed

Ideal KID smART candidates are:

• Organized and hardworking - they work hard, manage their time well, communicate clearly and in a timely fashion and have excellent follow through.
• Supportive - they contribute ideas and help to collaborative projects, are present when they say they will be and do what they say they will do, with energy and empathy.
• Resourceful - they recognize the wealth of knowledge that exists within themselves and in the field to share with colleagues. They are driven to continually expand their knowledge base and understanding of the arts education field.
• Collaborative - they work well with others, can manage multiple projects with multiple partners, value other voices, communicate and cooperate with purpose and humor.

The successful candidate will have the following experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field. 
• 5+ years related fundraising experience in the non-profit arena. (Experience in community-based nonprofit and/or arts education is preferred.)
• Proven track record of securing individual, major, and planned gifts; experience with capital campaigns preferred.
• Deep understanding of fundraising principles and best practices.
• Developed strategic thinking, planning, and project management skills.
• Exceptional verbal, written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; and ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse donors and key stakeholders.
• High affinity and passion for the organization’s mission and willingness to understand the principles of arts integration and the KID smART theory of change.
• High-level proficiency with donor databases, Google products, and Microsoft Office Suite, coupled with a fearless approach to getting the most out of software systems.
• A detailed, goal-oriented, enthusiastic, and collaborative individual with a proven capacity to work in a fast-paced office while exercising independent judgment and maintaining a joyful approach to projects.

This is a full-time position with a competitive salary range of $65,000-$75,000.

Benefits include a fully paid platinum health plan, dental and vision coverage, 3% IRA matching, 14 paid holidays, and a generous time off policy.

To Apply:

Send both resume and cover letter to jobs@kidsmart.org with KID smART Managing Director of Individual Giving in the subject line. No phone calls, please.  Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled. Additional tasks may be required for final candidates. Ideal start date no later than September 1, 2024.