The Opportunity
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is seeking a person of energy and vision to guide our fundraising activities at a time of strategic growth. As a key member of a small team the Development Lead plays a critical role in the achievement of the Gallery’s current and future financial goals through the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of potential donors and sustaining relationships with private and public foundations, donors, and community partners.
This position will manage a comprehensive fundraising and strategic development program designed to raise the profile of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and contribute to the long-term growth and viability of the organization. The Visual Arts Development Lead is responsible for achieving the Gallery’s short and long-term fundraising goals including major gifts, corporate partnerships, and sponsorships, while establishing and implementing a development and fundraising strategy that increases awareness, engagement, and support for all gallery functions.
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is uniquely positioned in Northern Ontario as a cultural institution with significant regional, provincial, and national profile. The Gallery has grown steadily over the last 45 years and is at a crucial stage of growth and advancement as we prepare to move into a purpose designed facility on Thunder Bay's beautiful waterfront that will more than triple our operating and programming space.
Primary Areas of Responsibility
The Visual Arts Development Lead carries out the following duties:
1. Identifies, cultivates, solicits, secures, and stewards major gifts to meet Gallery targets.
2. Participates in the development of a comprehensive fundraising plan and implements that plan to meet the future and ongoing strategic, capital, and operational needs of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.
3. In symphony with the Executive Director cultivates and engages the Art Gallery Board and volunteer leadership in the execution of the fundraising plan.
4. Develops and leads the execution of a comprehensive stewardship strategy to engage, inspire and secure annual and multi-year donors and sponsors, locally, nationally, and internationally.
5. Develops major gifts and individual and planned giving programmes and solicits and secures donors to support the gallery through major gifts, bequests, and other planned giving vehicles.
6. Maintains relationships with existing donors and sponsors through active stewardship and creates and implements strategies to upgrade donors and sponsors.
7. Maintains a portfolio of prospective donors and sponsors to provide annual or multi-
year gifts and sponsorships for a wide range of institutional priorities.
8. Ensures prospect, sponsor and donor information, and significant solicitor activity, is tracked and recorded into the Development database in a timely manner.
9. Ensures that other development print and electronic collateral materials are consistent with the Gallery brand and produced in a timely manner.
10. Flexibility, work on weekends, and some travel may be required.
Education and experience requirements:
• Post-secondary diploma or degree and 3-5 years of development experience, including solicitation and stewardship activities with specific experience in a capital campaign, donor development, and budget management an asset;
• Knowledge of capital campaign and fundraising strategies;
• Results driven and highly motivated with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with partners and volunteers;
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge, Donor Perfect or other fundraising databases/CRM;
• Excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills;
• Proficiency using a variety of digital communications media in support of achieving strategic priorities and increasing stakeholder engagement;
• Ability to work independently and meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• CFRE certification is considered an asset.
This role is based in Thunder Bay. The candidate must be able to work on site, however a hybrid work model will be considered.
Effective Skills
Networking Skills
Understanding that the Art Gallery is a cultural leader and community partner, the candidate we seek can develop relationships for the Gallery in private and business sectors and look for beneficial connections with organizations throughout the broader community.
Confident Communication
The candidate we seek can develop fundraising messages in writing, in person, and on the web which inform and persuade potential donors.
Ingenuity
Working with optimism and curiosity, the candidate we seek can devise innovative fundraising ideas which both fit the Gallery’s role as a public art institution and help advance its long-term goals.
Organization
The candidate we seek takes a balanced, strategic approach to timelines and the differing tasks and responsibilities of the position, with a commitment to ensuring both colleagues and AWE Campaign volunteers are positioned to share in the success of fundraising efforts.
How to Apply
Applicants who are Deaf, have an exceptionality or disability, or who need support expressing interest or applying for this opportunity are encouraged to contact Valin Sacchetti, Administrative Coordinator at Administration@theag.ca or call 807.577.6427 by Dec 4 to allow for appropriate accommodation of your needs and to discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.
To apply for this position, please send via email to administration@theag.ca, a letter of intent, a current resume and the names of two references, under the subject line “Visual Arts Development Lead” addressed to:
Matthew R. Hills, Executive Director
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
PO Box 10193
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6T7
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is committed to employment equity and diversity and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including women, people of any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; Indigenous peoples; visible minorities and racialized people; and people with disabilities. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
