Director of Development

Position Summary

The Director of Development drives Storm King’s fundraising efforts and ensures long-term financial sustainability, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, with a dotted line to the Executive Director, and leading a dynamic team in overseeing all aspects of fundraising, including Major Gifts, Membership, Institutional Giving, Planned Giving, and exhibition and program-related fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising & Development
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy across diversified income streams, setting ambitious yet achievable financial goals to expand Storm King’s donor base and ensure financial sustainability.
• Oversee and integrate all development efforts, including Major Gifts, Membership, Government, Corporate, and Foundation Giving, Membership, Annual Fund, Planned Giving, and exhibition/program-related fundraising.
• Carry a personal portfolio of major gift donors and actively engage in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and foundations, including the Board of Trustees.
• Lead the annual fundraising campaigns for exhibition support, creating, planning and executing campaigns for current and future year support.
• Ensure successful implementation of fundraising efforts through efficient processes, including gift reporting, finance integration, donor tracking and prospecting, and strategic cultivation.
• Collaborate with the Partnerships & Events team on donor-facing events to ensure seamless collaboration between departments, achieve financial goals, and align on donor engagement strategies.
• Strategic Leadership
• Shape and implement long-term strategies to build Storm King’s financial strength and donor engagement.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Staff, Development Team, Partnerships & Events Teams, and Board Committees including but not limited to External Affairs, Governance & Nominations, Finance, and Collections & Acquisitions to align fundraising efforts with organizational priorities.
• Collaborate with leadership, senior staff, and the Board of Trustees to advance fundraising priorities and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Align marketing, communications, and educational programs with fundraising efforts to maximize engagement and donor participation.
• Cultivate and steward relationships within the New York and national art and philanthropic community to enhance fundraising opportunities.
• Represent Storm King externally to strengthen partnerships and elevate its profile within the arts and donor communities.
• Trustee Relations & Board Development
• Collaborate with the Board Chair, Governance & Nominations Committee, Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer and other key stakeholders on Board development and stewardship.
• Partner with the External Affairs Committee to generate development strategies.
• Ensure up-to-date communications with the Board, strengthen fundraising efforts, and strategically cultivate new Board members.
• Work closely with Trustees to maximize their involvement in fundraising initiatives and expand Storm King’s network of supporters.
• Oversee timely trustee giving receipts and summaries.
• Team Management & Operational Oversight
• Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing development team of five, fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Manage budgets effectively and ensure financial goals are met across all fundraising initiatives.
• Work cross-departmentally to ensure smooth execution of development activities in coordination with curatorial, education, marketing, and finance teams.
• Financial Management
• With Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and the Development Team, prepare annual development budget revenue and expense goals for approval by the Board; remain accountable to approved goals and report periodically throughout the year on progress.
• Oversee donor reporting and compliance with fundraising best practices.
• Oversee transparency and accuracy in financial records related to contributed income.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in art-related field preferred.
• Master’s Degree in Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, Art History, or another similar field is ideal.
• Existing network of relationships with the donor community in visual arts, performing arts, botanical garden, higher education, or related field, and strong history of securing philanthropic support and building long-term financial sustainability.
• Proven experience in development operations and programming, including membership, annual giving, proposal writing, corporate and foundation relations, and special events.
• Strong writing and communication skills for crafting compelling pitch letters, marketing collateral, and funding proposals.
• Deep understanding of the philanthropic landscape, with existing relationships in the New York art and funding communities.
• Demonstrated passion for the arts and a commitment to advancing Storm King’s mission.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to problem-solve and balance long-term goals with diligence.
• Experience managing and building high performing teams.
• Experience working with and engaging high-level Boards and committees to advance fundraising initiatives.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders and cultivate leadership-level relationships.
• Experience working on large-scale fundraising events with proven revenue success.
• Strong project management and cross-departmental coordination skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling fundraising pitches and donor materials.
• Proficiency in Altru and Microsoft Office to track fundraising efforts and manage donor relations.
• Ability to travel to engage with donors and stakeholders.