ICA Director of Development

The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at VCU is a young arts organization dedicated to creating and sharing new art and ideas from around the world. The ICA was launched in 2018 thanks to the commitment and generosity of a core group of founding donors. Building on that core group, the ICA’s now seeks to expand its support community, engaging all those who are interested in understanding and navigating the contemporary world through art and culture. The ICA’s Director of Development will lead the advancement of that work.

The Director of Development will build, energize and nurture a community of supporters (both individual and institutional) around the mission and activities of the ICA. The goal is twofold: to raise the contributed revenue needed to sustain the ICA’s operating and strategic objectives; and to make meaningful connections across contemporary culture in Richmond and beyond. The role requires creative, entrepreneurial abilities, strategic thinking, and strong storytelling powers.

The Director of Development will plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive fundraising strategies, developing an engagement plan for donors, and will carry a portfolio of individual donors.

The Director of Development is a member of the Directors’ Group (the senior leadership team) at the ICA and reports to the ICA’s Executive Director. The annual goals of the Director of Development will be based on written, mutually approved operating plans and metrics developed in partnership with the ICA’s Executive Director and VCU’s Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) office.

Application review will begin August 15, 2022.

• The Director of Development will:
  • • Lead efforts to design, implement, and evaluate strategies for the stewardship of all aspects of fundraising, including individuals, members, corporations, foundations, and government.
  • • Plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive fundraising program for the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) to realize gift income—cash and deferred and endowed and current—in order to achieve the ICA’s operating and strategic objectives.
  • • Build and diversify the ICA’s funding base, matching opportunities with programmatic priorities.
  • • Manage a portfolio of major gift/planned giving prospects.
  • • Working in alignment with DAR and other central VCU development-related departments, develop and/or oversee the development of grant proposals for government, foundations, and corporations.
  • • Solicit major gifts through meetings via face-to-face, telephone, or online conference appointments; and personalized mailings in order to obtain first-time or increased major donor contributions.
  • • Advise ICA staff of appropriate fundraising strategies in order to assist in securing philanthropic commitments
  • • Provide assistance to donors regarding tax laws, university policies, and procedures.
  • • Maintain prospect records, plans and contact reports in the database of record.
  • • Research, plan and develop materials such as articles, press releases, and letters of appreciation in order to support fundraising, stewardship, and donor recognition programs.
  • • Resolve concerns and challenges in partnership with respective administration/faculty/staff to honor donor intent and maintain a positive and engaged relationship between stakeholders and the ICA.
  • • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to partner in the solicitation and engagement process.
  • • Develop integrated fundraising plans that support the mission and strategic goals of the university.
  • • Manage the Development Departments, including Development Relations Associate, along with part-time staff and consultants
  • • Coordinate with the Development Relations Associate and Communications staff as activities relate to giving, and in partnership with the ICA team and central DAR office.
  • • Participate fully in the Development and Alumni Relations team across all VCU and VCU Health units, including serving as a mentor or volunteer in the development community at VCU, in Richmond, and/or nationally.
  • • Provide direct communication, development strategies, consultation and advising to the ICA ED
  • •Assist the ED with the management of the Development Committee (DC) and DC Chair
  • • Make community connections with ICA, ICA ED, and those who are leaders in the RVA: mayor’s office, city council, state representatives, community leaders/advocates, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field, or 3 years of progressively responsible development in higher education, art or cultural institutions, or a related field.

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Appreciation for the role of contemporary arts in society.

• Demonstrated experience in facilitating leadership annual fund or major gift closures.

• Demonstrated experience identifying grant opportunities and drafting, submitting, and tracking grant proposals.

• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving.

• Must be able to travel. Overnight and long-distance travel will be necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, execute and steward major gift relationships, having a demonstrated track record of successful gift solicitations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) or similar professional certification or experience.

• Master’s Degree or work experience at a level that equates to an advanced degree.

• Deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU and VCU Health.

• Desire to play a meaningful role in the life of VCU and in the Richmond community.

• Experience working in a large, complex university, organization or nonprofit setting.

• Professional credibility required to engage and leverage senior administrative leadership, deans, faculty, volunteer leadership, and other key stakeholders.

• Collaboration skills that are consistent with bringing out the best in a matrix team, instilling pride and ownership in a team effort.

• Personal attributes: self-starter, honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, team player, follow through and commitment, attention to detail, organization, self-confidence, and broad-based fundraising experience.

• Personal commitment to the fundraising industry as evidenced through work ethic and aspiration to best practices.

Salary Range

$110,000-$115,000 annually