Donor Relations Officer - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Join PAFA's Development team as our next Donor Relations Officer, where you'll build and strengthen relationships with donors at all levels while managing the growth of our Peale Circle membership program through stewardship, acquisition, and retention efforts. In this role, you'll engage with high-level donors, collaborate with key staff, and serve as the primary liaison to the Women's Committee, all while supporting major gift efforts and donor engagement initiatives.

ABOUT PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's first school and museum of fine arts. Located in the center city of Philadelphia, PAFA is intimate in scale with a strong sense of community. PAFA offers several nondegree and certificate in studio art and art appreciation programs. PAFA's museum has an outstanding collection of American art, and the museum actively collects and exhibits contemporary art, including work in new media. Additionally, PAFA is home to the Brodsky Center, a print and papermaking center focused on the creation of innovative editions by contemporary artists.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Because we were the nation's first art museum and art school, we believe PAFA has a moral obligation to ensure that every member of our community can study and work in an environment where they feel a sense of belonging. We have the additional obligation of ensuring that our community reflects that rich tapestry of beauty and diversity that surrounds our world. We are committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire arts, cultural and educational sector, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. PAFA is committed to maintaining an inclusive learning environment, and a diverse community of students, faculty and staff.

PAFA is an equal opportunity employer. Women and diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply to work in our pluralistic community.

THE POSITION: Donor Relations Officer

As an integral part of the Development team, the Donor Relations Officer will cultivate, steward, and expand the relationships between PAFA and its donors at all levels by creating and fulfilling reliable systems of communication and engagement. The Donor Relations Officer is responsible for sustaining and promoting the growth of a comprehensive upper-level membership program (the Peale Circle) and related activities, including stewardship, service, acquisition, and retention; this position also serves as the main staff liaison to the Women's Committee. Through management of higher-touch donor engagement systems and activities, this position takes an active role in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects with capacity and inclination for a greater relationship with PAFA.

Reports to Senior Director of Development and provides additional support to Major Gift Officer. Regular working relationship with Development Associate, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, Membership & Annual Giving Manager, and VIP volunteers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Peale Circle Program management

• Develops solicitation schedule and, in collaboration with Senior Director of Development and Major Gift Officer, develops revenue strategy for leadership-level annual giving program.
• Serves as primary staff liaison for Peale Circle members.
• Creates solicitation materials and program benefits.

Women's Committee liaison

• Serves as primary staff contact for regular activities of the Women's Committee.
• With Senior Director of Development, works with Women's Committee president to steer WoCo relationship to PAFA and provide administrative support to execute activities.
• Create agendas, maintain bylaws and directory listings, manage dues solicitation and membership lists, regular communications/ event registrations for Committee.

Stewardship workflows and communications

• Leadership stewardship messages
• Acknowledgements, including custom from executives to VIPs
• Impact reporting for restricted or program-specific giving areas

Giving & solicitations collateral

• "Meet PAFA" materials
• Turning case for support into tangible solicitation pieces
• Maintenance of Development web pages
• Preparing sponsorship mailings and invitations for major fundraising events

Development Event support

• Contributes to event concept development as part of team.
• Prepare event invitations and follow up for events.
• Leads event planning with lower-scale events: receptions, etc.
• Maintains donor credit listings across web, print, and onsite platforms.
• Coordinates annual donor recognition message.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer service ethos and excellent follow-through.
• Strong organizational skills and project management abilities.
• Excellent internal partnership practices.
• Facility with productivity and communications software.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts accepts digital applications only. A complete application should include the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

When submitting your application online, please save your documents as Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) or PDF (.pdf) files. To help us process your applications as efficiently as possible, please save your files with the following filename format:

• LastName_FirstName_Resume
• LastName_FirstName_CoverLetter

*Due to the amount of potential applicants, we do not respond to voice calls or messages about the status of your application. Based on the criteria for the position, the most qualified candidates will be contacted directly. Thank you for your interest in PAFA.