Advancement Manager, Individual Giving

NEW YORK, NY

The American Academy in Rome is a leading overseas center for independent studies and advanced research in the arts and humanities. A privately funded institution, the Academy relies on the generous support of individuals, foundations, and corporations to support innovative artists, writers, and scholars in generating new ideas together in a dynamic international community.

The Advancement Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for the scope of the individual giving program. The Advancement Manager pro-actively manages their own pool of individual donors and prospects as well as the donor pipeline process for Institutional Leadership. In this role, the Manager works to determine the giving capacity of donor prospects and strategically cultivate and solicit higher levels of giving from current donors. A critical member of a close-knit team, this position contributes significantly to the successful execution of annual appeal cycles with accuracy and timeliness.

Working harmoniously and intercontinentally while reaching fundraising goals is imperative to this role, which operates in close step with every member of the Academy’s small but collaborative fundraising team. The American Academy in Rome invites 360-degree thinkers seeking an opportunity to build their portfolio and grow in an exciting environment to apply.

SUPERVISION:

The Advancement Manager, Individual Giving, reports to the Associate Director of Development.

Responsibilities:

• Execute annual fundraising appeal strategies overseen by the Associate Director of Development: set goals for each appeal; draft appeal letters for approval; send solicitations on time; identify donors eligible for gift renewals; set metric goal targets for individual donors to increase giving levels annually and complete solicitations.

• Directly manage the process of individual fundraising across the institution, working under the guidance of the Associate Director of Development to conduct thorough and wholistic prospect research, cultivate and solicit new members, develop fundraising materials, draft proposals and correspondence including but not limited to renewal letters.

• Ensure fulfillment of pledges and benefits; maintain donor records; contribute to marketing strategies, prepare and produce donor stewardship reports and gift recognition communications

.• Manage Senior Leadership donor pipelines by creating timelines and meeting memos, coordinating next steps, maintaining database records, and producing pipeline reports.

• Support Development Leadership with departmental budgeting and reforecasting.

• Collaborate with the Rome-based Development staff to manage the Friends of the Academy and Friends of the Library donor groups where needed. Research, identify, cultivate, and solicit new members; develop fundraising materials; draft proposals and correspondence to members, including renewal letters; ensure fulfillment of pledges and benefits; maintain donor records; contribute to marketing strategies.

• Collaborate with the Rome-based staff to coordinate VIP visits to AAR and subsequent follow-up.

• Collaborate with the larger Development team to produce enriching cultivation and stewardship engagements for Friends and donors in the U.S. and in Rome.

• Support the Associate Director of Development with planned giving initiatives to increase membership to the McKim & Morgan Society, including contributing to annual cultivation and stewardship events.

• Support the Associate Director of Development with the development and implementation of gift solicitation calendars to engage philanthropy from individuals including Academy alumni.

• Contribute to the implementation and maximal use of Salesforce, the Academy’s newly adopted Customer Relationship Management (CRM) donor database system.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function at an exceedingly high level. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field, Master’s degree preferred.
  • Minimum five (5) years minimum of direct fundraising experience.
  • Background in working with cultural or arts organizations is a significant advantage.
  • Outstanding oral and interpersonal communication skills with ability to interact professionally and work productively with a wide range of constituents.
  • Passion for the mission and programs of the American Academy in Rome.
  • Flexible mindset and ability to collaborate effectively in a dynamic and maturing fundraising environment.
  • Discretion and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
  • Proven success in fundraising and sponsorship solicitation, with experience in donor cultivation and stewardship.
  • Proven strength in effectively prioritizing and managing time, taking initiative, communicating potential needs, and juggling multiple projects with strong attention to detail.
  • Familiarity and strong aptitude working in donor management systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Classy and similar platforms.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Meticulous with details – data and words.
  • Confidence speaking with and presenting to donors virtually and in-person.
  • Adherence to timelines and deadlines to meet fiscal goals.
  • Proven experience working with financial reports and records.
  • Strong background and interest in collaborating across departments.
  • Ability and willingness to work evenings and to travel.
  • Success working independently under direction.

BENEFITS

  • Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life and Disability Insurance: Employer-paid life insurance, as well as long-term and short-term disability coverage
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax options for healthcare and dependent care expenses
  • Telemedicine Services: Convenient access to virtual care
  • Retirement Plan: A 403(b) retirement plan fully funded by the employer
  • Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including vacation, holidays, and sick leave
  • Additional Voluntary Benefits: A variety of optional benefits to meet individual needs
  • Attendance: We value a healthy work-life balance and currently offer a work schedule of four days in-office and one day of remote work.