Assistant Director of Individual Giving

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Director of Development

Supervises: Graduate Fellows (students)

Opportunity

The Assistant Director of Individual Giving plays a leading role in the planning and execution of the Annual Fund and Individual Giving strategies. This position works closely with the Development and Marketing teams to generate campaigns with ambitious fundraising goals, that highlight Longy’s social justice mission and raise funds for general operations, scholarships, and strategic initiatives. Primarily focused on donors giving less than $1,000, this person cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors, with a goal of increasing the number of donors and the amount of each gift, year over year.

They are entrepreneurial and results-driven, with the ability to identify and implement strategic approaches to fundraising and constituency development. They thrive in an environment of growth and collaborative decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Manage the School’s individual giving prospect portfolio and oversee activities ensuring new donor targets are met and a robust donor pipeline is built.
• Direct Longy’s Annual Fund program, ensure financial targets are met and supporter benefits are fulfilled.
• Develop digital and hardcopy Annual Fund solicitations and campaigns, including building solicitation lists, development of message, and design collateral in conjunction with the Marketing team.
• Ensure fundraising activities align with Longy’s equity goals, including representing a diverse student and faculty body.
• Conduct prospect research to identify donors with higher than demonstrated capacity.
• Build and execute strategies that use events and concerts for prospecting and donor engagement.
• Maintain thorough understanding of Longy degree and non-degree programs, as well as artistic season, through collaboration with Academic Affairs staff.
• Attend key events and concerts on a regular basis to ensure a welcoming guest experience for top donors and prospects.
• Event Support, as assigned (duties shared among the Development team):
  • Staff Longy concerts and events where donors, board members and stakeholders may be in attendance.
  • Organize and assist with fundraising events, meetings, and engagement activities, as needed.
  • Assist with event budget management, invitations, ticketing, setup and breakdown of event spaces, food, beverage, and decorations.
  • Arrange for and supervise student workers at events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2 years of related experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to make people feel welcomed and heard; this extends from fellow colleagues, to program participants, and to members of the public.
• Creativity and humor, with enthusiasm for exploring new ways doing things.
• Track record as an organized, quick and strategic thinker.
• Ability to perform well under deadlines and in high-energy situations.
• Previous experience organizing and executing campaigns and events that successfully engage prospects and donors.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite; Constant Contact; virtual event and online ticketing platforms
• Experience with donor databases; Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs.
• Must be able to work nights and weekends, as Longy is a performing arts school.

About Longy

Longy School of Music of Bard College is at the forefront of graduate music education. Founded to offer an alternative to traditional conservatories, Longy continues to bring new and different perspectives on how to train and prepare modern musicians. Longy has made a name for itself by focusing on the social imperative: musicians, like all artists, must play a critical role in creating vibrant communities. This is carried out in signature programs to prepare students for the challenges of the musician of the 21st century.

Longy is a degree‐granting institution that serves over 300 undergraduate and graduate students from over 35 states and 25 countries at its Conservatory campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded as Longy School of Music in 1915 by renowned oboist Georges Longy, Longy is a conservatory with a social imperative, providing for all students a distinguished faculty that promotes profound musical understanding and technical prowess, encourages growth of imagination, and fosters inquiry about the role of music and the musician in society. Longy’s mission is to prepare musicians to make a difference in the world.

Longy School of Music of Bard College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status, or age. Longy values the diversity of its community.