Americans for the Arts
Senior Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts
Americans for the Arts, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Overview
Americans for the Arts (AFTA) strengthens the arts from the ground up — supporting advocacy that empowers communities, develops arts leadership, and produces field-informed research. We shape national arts policy to reflect the realities and aspirations of artists, organizations, businesses, and communities nationwide. Position
Senior Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts
– Reports to: Chief Development Officer. Team: Development. Supervisory: Supervisory Position. FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt. Location: Washington, DC. Telework: Yes. Timeline: The review process of applications will begin on October 7, 2025. Salary Range: $100,000 to $125,000. Location: This position is based in Washington, DC. Who We Are Americans for the Arts (AFTA) strengthens the arts from the ground up – supporting advocacy that empowers communities, develops arts leadership, and produces field-informed research. We shape national arts policy to reflect the realities and aspirations of artists, organizations, businesses, and communities nationwide. We champion the arts as a unifying and essential force in American life. An Overview of the Development Team The Development Team oversees and guides AFTA’s fundraising efforts, leading and scaling our comprehensive fundraising strategy in support of our organizational mission. Development raises significant gifts to support programmatic goals and ensures engagement with diverse communities. The team works with our affiliate Arts Action Fund (AAF, 501c4) to streamline outreach with policymakers, local arts agencies, grassroots advocates, and the public. The team also produces events to strengthen donor engagement and leverages partnerships to educate and engage stakeholders on the benefits of supporting the arts. An Overview of the Role The Sr. Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts leads and implements a comprehensive individual and major gifts strategy, growing philanthropic support for AFTA. Working with the CDO, you will manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, focusing on gifts of $10,000+ annually. You will interact with donors, manage relationships, evaluate gift opportunities, and coordinate communications to ensure cohesive donor cultivation and stewardship, with the aim of increased revenue and retention of donor relationships. This role also manages the Director, Individual Giving and Membership, and involves travel, including weekend events. Division of Labor between 501c3 and 501c4 This is a matrixed role supporting both Americans for the Arts (501c3) and the Arts Action Fund (501c4). You will track time across both organizations. It is anticipated you will assist in limited fundraising for the c4 within legal and tax parameters, with approximately 30-40% of hours allocated to the 501c(4). Your Key Responsibilities Major Donor Strategy & Relationship Management Independently build and manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects through all moves management stages. Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for donors at the $10,000+ level to meet annual goals and build a healthy donor pipeline. Identify, cultivate, and upgrade grassroots and midlevel donors into major gift prospects with clear engagement, stewardship, and solicitation pathways. Prepare donor materials, briefings, and proposals with tailored communications and stewardship plans. Develop organizational impact reports showing progress and donor impact. Partner with the CDO, CEO, and senior leadership to support high-level donor engagement, including staffing donor meetings and calls. Conduct prospect research to identify new donors aligned with strategic goals. Donor Engagement & Events
Design and execute major donor engagement strategies, including private events, briefings, and regional gatherings. Collaborate with Communications and Program staff on messaging and impact narratives. Create and manage event collateral and follow-up communications for donor opportunities. Integrate program priorities and funding needs into donor interactions, communicating impact of gifts. Systems, Reporting & Collaboration
Oversee tracking of donor interactions, proposals, and outcomes in the CRM system. Maintain accurate records and reporting within the CRM in partnership with the Database Administrator. Lead Development Team with the CDO in cross-functional work with Government Affairs, Research, Communications, and Programs to align fundraising with priorities. Regularly evaluate progress and impact of outreach efforts. Support Development Team operations, budgeting, and forecasting related to major gifts. Leadership & Team Management
Lead and mentor direct report(s) and align goals with AFTA’s mission and strategic goals. Foster collaboration across Communications, Programs, Government Affairs, Research, and AAF teams to maximize fundraising impact. Assist CDO with managing development budgets and resource allocation. Engage with AFTA’s Board, members, and external partners to strengthen fundraising efforts. Note:
This position is expected to perform similar duties in coordination with the Arts Action Fund (AAF), our affiliate 501(c)4 organization. Experience and Skills
The Experience and Skills That Matter Most Strong background in major donor strategy, relationship development, donor engagement, and event management; comfortable interacting in-person and virtually with donors, stakeholders, and the public. Commitment to the AFTA mission with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Minimum 6–8 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with moves management and major gifts experience. Proven track record of cultivating and soliciting individual gifts. Experience writing donor materials, proposals, and correspondence. Ability to work with senior leadership, high-level donors, and across the political spectrum. Working knowledge of a CRM and willingness to learn AFTA’s CRM system. Compensation & Benefits
The compensation range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000 and will be commensurate with experience. The total compensation package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403b employer contributions, and a generous time-off package, including paid parental leave. Employees are eligible for disability, life insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), EAP, and professional development opportunities.
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Americans for the Arts (AFTA) strengthens the arts from the ground up — supporting advocacy that empowers communities, develops arts leadership, and produces field-informed research. We shape national arts policy to reflect the realities and aspirations of artists, organizations, businesses, and communities nationwide. Position
Senior Director, Individual Giving and Major Gifts
– Reports to: Chief Development Officer. Team: Development. Supervisory: Supervisory Position. FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt. Location: Washington, DC. Telework: Yes. Timeline: The review process of applications will begin on October 7, 2025. Salary Range: $100,000 to $125,000. Location: This position is based in Washington, DC. Who We Are Americans for the Arts (AFTA) strengthens the arts from the ground up – supporting advocacy that empowers communities, develops arts leadership, and produces field-informed research. We shape national arts policy to reflect the realities and aspirations of artists, organizations, businesses, and communities nationwide. We champion the arts as a unifying and essential force in American life. An Overview of the Development Team The Development Team oversees and guides AFTA’s fundraising efforts, leading and scaling our comprehensive fundraising strategy in support of our organizational mission. Development raises significant gifts to support programmatic goals and ensures engagement with diverse communities. The team works with our affiliate Arts Action Fund (AAF, 501c4) to streamline outreach with policymakers, local arts agencies, grassroots advocates, and the public. The team also produces events to strengthen donor engagement and leverages partnerships to educate and engage stakeholders on the benefits of supporting the arts. An Overview of the Role The Sr. Director of Individual Giving and Major Gifts leads and implements a comprehensive individual and major gifts strategy, growing philanthropic support for AFTA. Working with the CDO, you will manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, focusing on gifts of $10,000+ annually. You will interact with donors, manage relationships, evaluate gift opportunities, and coordinate communications to ensure cohesive donor cultivation and stewardship, with the aim of increased revenue and retention of donor relationships. This role also manages the Director, Individual Giving and Membership, and involves travel, including weekend events. Division of Labor between 501c3 and 501c4 This is a matrixed role supporting both Americans for the Arts (501c3) and the Arts Action Fund (501c4). You will track time across both organizations. It is anticipated you will assist in limited fundraising for the c4 within legal and tax parameters, with approximately 30-40% of hours allocated to the 501c(4). Your Key Responsibilities Major Donor Strategy & Relationship Management Independently build and manage a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects through all moves management stages. Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for donors at the $10,000+ level to meet annual goals and build a healthy donor pipeline. Identify, cultivate, and upgrade grassroots and midlevel donors into major gift prospects with clear engagement, stewardship, and solicitation pathways. Prepare donor materials, briefings, and proposals with tailored communications and stewardship plans. Develop organizational impact reports showing progress and donor impact. Partner with the CDO, CEO, and senior leadership to support high-level donor engagement, including staffing donor meetings and calls. Conduct prospect research to identify new donors aligned with strategic goals. Donor Engagement & Events
Design and execute major donor engagement strategies, including private events, briefings, and regional gatherings. Collaborate with Communications and Program staff on messaging and impact narratives. Create and manage event collateral and follow-up communications for donor opportunities. Integrate program priorities and funding needs into donor interactions, communicating impact of gifts. Systems, Reporting & Collaboration
Oversee tracking of donor interactions, proposals, and outcomes in the CRM system. Maintain accurate records and reporting within the CRM in partnership with the Database Administrator. Lead Development Team with the CDO in cross-functional work with Government Affairs, Research, Communications, and Programs to align fundraising with priorities. Regularly evaluate progress and impact of outreach efforts. Support Development Team operations, budgeting, and forecasting related to major gifts. Leadership & Team Management
Lead and mentor direct report(s) and align goals with AFTA’s mission and strategic goals. Foster collaboration across Communications, Programs, Government Affairs, Research, and AAF teams to maximize fundraising impact. Assist CDO with managing development budgets and resource allocation. Engage with AFTA’s Board, members, and external partners to strengthen fundraising efforts. Note:
This position is expected to perform similar duties in coordination with the Arts Action Fund (AAF), our affiliate 501(c)4 organization. Experience and Skills
The Experience and Skills That Matter Most Strong background in major donor strategy, relationship development, donor engagement, and event management; comfortable interacting in-person and virtually with donors, stakeholders, and the public. Commitment to the AFTA mission with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Minimum 6–8 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with moves management and major gifts experience. Proven track record of cultivating and soliciting individual gifts. Experience writing donor materials, proposals, and correspondence. Ability to work with senior leadership, high-level donors, and across the political spectrum. Working knowledge of a CRM and willingness to learn AFTA’s CRM system. Compensation & Benefits
The compensation range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000 and will be commensurate with experience. The total compensation package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403b employer contributions, and a generous time-off package, including paid parental leave. Employees are eligible for disability, life insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), EAP, and professional development opportunities.
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