Company Description The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is dedicated to integrating art into the lives of people, serving as a cultural and educational resource for the community and visitors alike. The Museum offers diverse exhibitions, collections, and programs that encourage engagement with art across time, cultures, and media. Staff members collaborate with artists, scholars, donors, and partners to expand access to meaningful art experiences. Team members contribute to a mission-driven environment that values curiosity, inclusion, and public service.
Role Description The Associate Director, Individual Giving is a full-time, hybrid role based in Santa Barbara, CA, with flexibility for some work from home. This role oversees and grows individual giving programs, including annual and planned giving, to support the Museum’s mission and strategic priorities. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing a portfolio of donors and prospects, cultivating and stewarding relationships through meetings, events, and personalized communications, and developing strategies to increase philanthropic support. The Associate Director will collaborate with colleagues across development, curatorial, education, and marketing departments to align fundraising initiatives with institutional goals. Additional tasks include creating appeals and proposals, tracking progress against revenue targets, preparing reports, and ensuring accurate donor records and gift acknowledgments.
Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience in individual giving and fundraising, including Annual Giving and Philanthropy.
- Knowledge of Planned Giving strategies and the ability to work with donors and advisors on legacy and estate gifts.
- Strong skills in Prospect Research to identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential individual donors.
- Ability to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising plans and donor engagement strategies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft donor-centric messages and proposals.
- Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with donors and volunteers in a nonprofit or arts environment.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and project management abilities, with attention to detail and deadlines.
- Comfort working in a hybrid setting, collaborating effectively in person and remotely.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (such as arts administration, nonprofit management, communications, or business) or equivalent experience.
- Familiarity with donor management/CRM systems and standard fundraising practices; CFRE or similar credential is a plus.