Bard Graduate Center is a graduate research institute in New York City dedicated to the study of the cultural history of the material world and committed to the encyclopedic study of things, drawing on methodologies and approaches from art and design history, history of technology, philosophy, anthropology, and archaeology and cultural history. Our students gravitate to careers in museums, academia, the art world, and publishing. Our MA and PhD degree programs, gallery exhibitions, research initiatives, and public programs explore new ways of thinking about decorative arts, design history, and material culture.
The Manager of Institutional Giving is responsible for overseeing Bard Graduate Center’s institutional fundraising endeavors, leveraging your expertise to secure grants and sponsorships from a diverse array of institutional channels, including foundations, corporations, and government entities. The successful candidate’s proficiency in grant writing, meticulous prospect research, and adept program management will be instrumental in furthering our mission to advance exhibitions, research and education in the realms of decorative arts, design history, and material culture. The Manager of Institutional Giving will be driven and seasoned in the arts, culture, and academic funding landscape; partner with faculty and relevant staff to identify funding opportunities from government and institutional prospects; develop proposals; manage contracts and oversee all aspects of stewardship.
Grant Writing and Management:
Write grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports to foundations, corporations and government agencies.
Collaborate with BGC staff and faculty to gather required support materials including budgets, biographies, statistics, press, and publications among other materials.
Maintain database (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and archives of grants submitted and received as well as all interim and final reports.
Establish and prioritize grants for institutional needs, special projects, and faculty support.
Research and identify funding sources for research, publications, academic initiatives, exhibitions, scholarships, and operations.
Collaborate with faculty and staff to develop potential funding opportunities.
Coordinate with the Finance Department to create project budgets.
Provide resources for faculty and staff to submit individual research grant proposals.
Attend solicitation and stewardship meetings with BGC representatives, conducting necessary briefings beforehand.
Oversee the grants calendar and timeline of grant needs.
Grant Prospecting:
Research prospective donors, including government sources, foundations, and corporations.
Gather and analyze donor data for actionable insights.
Prepare detailed donor profiles and briefings.
Monitor philanthropic trends and funding opportunities.
Maintain accurate prospect records in Raiser’s Edge-NXT.
Assist in prospect pipeline management.
Writing Support:
Working closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to draft case statements, proposals, appeals, acknowledgement letters and other written communications that help BGC meet its strategic fundraising goals.
Work closely with staff throughout the institution to maintain files with updated language for numerous exhibitions and initiatives as well as credit lines.
Write annual scholarship reports and other stewardship communications.
When needed, work closely with contracted grant writers.
Program Management, Oversight and Reporting:
Work closely with the CAO to maintain a portfolio of institutional funders for ongoing cultivation and stewardship.
Carefully track the progress of projects funded through restricted grants and endowments ensuring that reporting requirements are met.
Work closely with BGC staff and faculty to ensure that projects are meeting stated goals.
Prepare reports and communications to funders.
Prepare an annual plan that delineates financial as well as strategic goals and appropriate metrics; complete an annual program review of results, determine strengths and challenges of the program, and modify plans accordingly.
Prepare monthly progress reports.
Qualifications:
Minimum of 5+ years of development experience
Demonstrated success writing and securing grant proposals for awards in the 5-7 figure range from major national and international foundations.
Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
Computer literacy required; excellent online research, database, word-processing and spreadsheet skills required.
Proficiency in identifying institutional funding sources within the realms of the Arts, exhibitions, design, and academic institutions, coupled with fluency in grant research.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Flexible and Collaborative
Preferred Qualifications:
Passionate about Decorative Arts, Design History and Material Culture
Experience working in a research university, academic department or museum.
Comfort with academic research proposal review.
Knowledge and experience in Raiser’s Edge-NXT.
Working knowledge of grants.gov and other web-based granting agency technologies, as well as research resources, such as Candid / Foundation Directory.
Commitment to advancing BGC’s goals for diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
We expect the successful candidate to be stronger in some qualifications listed above than others; we are committed to helping our future colleague expand their skills and hope to learn from their areas of strength.
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $65,000 - $80,000 + a generous benefits package.
To Apply
Send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to [email protected].
Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
Bard Graduate Center is a graduate research institute in New York City dedicated to the study of the cultural history of the material world and committed to the encyclopedic study of things, drawing on methodologies and approaches from art and design history, history of technology, philosophy, anthropology, and archaeology and cultural history. Our students gravitate to careers in museums, academia, the art world, and publishing. Our MA and PhD degree programs, gallery exhibitions, research initiatives, and public programs explore new ways of thinking about decorative arts, design history, and material culture.
Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Manager of Individual Giving, Alumni Affairs and Special Events will take the lead in managing Bard Graduate Center’s mid-sized gift program, alumni stewardship initiatives, membership program, and manage development related special events. Responsibilities include organizing exhibition openings, arranging cultivation visits with current and potential donors, and coordinating the annual fundraising efforts. As a key member of BGC’s nimble and proactive development team, the incumbent will be instrumental in shaping strategy, fostering relationships, managing student workers and vendors, and implementing best practices to achieve our fundraising objectives.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Fundraising:
Lead the mid-sized gift program, devising strategies, overseeing execution, and evaluating outcomes.
Enhance the effectiveness of fundraising events.
Manage the membership and patron benefits program.
Coordinate a calendar of cultivation and stewardship activities.
Conduct prospect research to expand the donor pool.
Coordinate and execute various fundraising events, including exhibition openings, donor cultivation events, and annual fundraiser(s).
Oversee all aspects of event planning and execution, such as venue selection, catering, invitations, guest lists, and onsite logistics, as well as vendors.
Ensure events align with organizational goals and effectively engage donors, alumni, staff, faculty and other key stakeholders.
Coordinate development communications with BGC’s Marketing, Communications and Design department across various platforms.
Maintain fundraising materials, including collateral, funding opportunities and donor forms.
Develop and execute alumni affairs initiatives, including an alumni and professional council newsletter, events, and engagement activities.
Create programs to actively involve other affinity and interest groups.
Provide support for ongoing board initiatives.
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience in fundraising within higher education and/or cultural institutions.
Exceptional writing skills.
Proficiency in multi-platform communications strategies.
Strong planning, organizational, and time management abilities.
Thorough understanding of donor cycles.
Experience in volunteer management and engagement, preferably with alumni.
Proficiency in program reporting and evaluation.
Familiarity with the philanthropic community in New York City.
Willingness to participate in events outside regular work hours.
Proficient in Raiser’s Edge (or similar database program), Microsoft Word and Excel, and prospect research software.
Passion for the mission and programs of Bard Graduate Center.
Flexible mindset and ability to collaborate effectively in an entrepreneurial fundraising environment.
Discretion and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
Commitment to advancing BGC’s goals for diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $65,000 – 80,000 + a generous benefits package.
To Apply:
Send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to [email protected].
Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
