Director of Individual Giving bei Hennepin Arts

Position Summary

The Director of Individual Giving is responsible for developing and leading a comprehensive individual giving program that secures philanthropic support from individuals at all giving levels, with a focus on major gifts. This position will design cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align with Hennepin Arts’ mission and strategic priorities, ensuring sustainable growth in annual, mid-level, and major giving revenue.

The Director will manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects, lead donor engagement initiatives, and supervise staff dedicated to individual giving programs. This role works collaboratively across the organization, engaging senior leadership, board members, and volunteers in fundraising efforts.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a multi-year strategy to grow individual giving revenue, including annual fund, mid-level, and major gifts
• Establish clear fundraising goals, performance metrics, and donor engagement plans in collaboration with leadership
• Partner with the President & CEO, board members, and key volunteers to cultivate and solicit high-capacity prospects
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to ensure consistent and compelling donor messaging across channels

Major Donor Cultivation & Management

• Conduct regular donor meetings, developing customized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect
• Prepare and deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and reports tailored to donor interests and giving capacity
• Oversee the design and execution of donor recognition and stewardship plans that deepen engagement and loyalty
• Manage the planned giving program to develop and sustain planned giving strategies that resonate with our donor base, thereby securing future funding

Annual & Mid-Level Giving

• Provide strategic oversight for annual giving programs, including direct mail, digital campaigns, and membership programs
• Implement strategies to identify and cultivate mid-level donors, creating a pipeline for major gifts
• Collaborate with development staff to segment donors effectively, ensuring targeted and personalized engagement
• Make meaningful connections with donors and prospective donors in the lounges during Broadway show nights and at special events

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise, mentor, and develop staff responsible for annual fund, donor stewardship, and individual giving operations
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture within the development team
• Partner with finance to ensure accurate revenue tracking, forecasting, and reporting
• Model the values, ethics, and performance standards for employees 
• Cultivate a productive collaborative culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion 

Board & Volunteer Engagement

• Create presentation materials and reports for leadership team and development committee as needed
• Work with the Development Committee and board members to identify, cultivate, and solicit individual donors
• Manage the annual board giving cycle in partnership with the AVP and SVP of Development and development committee chair
• Provide board training and tools to strengthen their role in fundraising, with the intent of building a major giving pipeline/business intelligence through peer-to-peer outreach

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Non-profit Management, Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field or ten (10) years of relevant experience.
• Advanced degree or certification in Fundraising, Non-profit Management, or a related field highly desired.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, with a focus on individual giving. 
• Proven track record of successful major gift solicitations and securing gifts of $10,000 or more. 
• Experience in managing and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals. 
• Previous experience in a leadership role within a nonprofit organization, particularly in the arts or cultural sector. 
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles and techniques. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, board members, and colleagues. 
• Proficiency in donor management software and CRM systems, such as Salesforce 
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. 
• Passion for the arts and a deep understanding of the theatre arts sector. 
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement successful fundraising strategies. 
• Creative and innovative approach to donor engagement and cultivation. 
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial data. 

Physical Requirements

• Due to the nature of our work, employees may be required to work some non-traditional business hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to lift up to twenty-five (25) pounds
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time while navigating multiple levels and areas within a venue
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the assigned and essential functions