CUE’S MISSION AND HIRING CONTEXT

More info about our mission and hiring context is here. Please read before applying! You can also see other open positions at that link.

THE ROLE

The Development Associate supports CUE Art Foundation external affairs and institutional advancement activities. The position will be supervised by and work closely with CUE’s Executive Director and other incoming development staff. They will also work directly with other staff to ensure the success of CUE’s programs and mission-driven activity.

The Development Associate supports the organization’s major areas of funding, including public and foundation grant giving, individual and firm gifts, membership, special events, and earned income. The position also assists in administrative duties; board, patron, and institutional relationships; and cultivation of new donors and allies. Additionally, the position supports communications efforts at CUE Art Foundation, collaborating with other staff on email and website communications, social media, press and public relations, and collateral development. This includes asset development for general communication of CUE’s mission, as well as for exhibitions and public programs in an effort to engage new and existing audiences. 

The ideal candidate for this position will be a motivated individual who is interested in joining a small team of passionate people. They will be mission-driven and interested in the ecosystems and communities of arts engagement in New York City and more broadly. They will also share in our commitment to the values of access, equity, and collaboration.

AREAS OF WORK

  • Organization and implementation of development goals and priorities, including fundraising efforts such as grants, individual and corporate giving, membership, special events, and earned income

  • Participation in database and compliance-related activities such as updating and maintaining donor and grant platforms, CRM technology, spreadsheets, and calendars 

  • Support for development-related communications activity, including website and email, social media, press, and visual assets

  • Assistance in creating mission-driven narratives and campaigns that center artists and their work, and that are accessible and targeted toward a variety of audiences 

  • Envisioning creative new ways to fundraise and friendraise in support of CUE’s mission 

  • Co-supervision of interns during the Spring and Fall seasons

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Institutional and Foundation Giving

  • Draft and edit content; secure supporting documentation and assets for grant applications

  • Research, develop, and maintain grants calendar

  • Maintain grant platforms and compliance-related paperwork for government funding (i.e. SAM, Grants.gov, Grants Gateway, etc.).

  • Draft, edit, and prepare final reports for government and private funders

  • Organize and maintain documentation of all grant applications and paperwork on shared server

  • Proactively seek new grant opportunities and foundation support

Membership

  • Proactively assist in the establishment of a new membership program, including planning and communication end-of-year and other appeals; prospect research; and innovative ideas for solicitation of new individual and corporate members

  • Coordinate planning and execution of membership events; maintain associated calendar of events and coordinate communication with other staff members

  • Maintain and update membership roster; ensure proper listing and acknowledgment of donors on all materials (website, email, etc.).

  • Manage correspondence with members

  • Ensure membership benefits are fulfilled

  • Track donations through online and subscription platforms

  • Prepare and send acknowledgment and renewal letters in a timely manner

  • Conduct research and reports on potential improvements or changes to membership program structure and content

Individual Giving

  • Work independently and collaboratively to develop strategies to cultivate new patrons interested in CUE mission and specific programs

  • Assist in maintaining existing individual donors, including strategy and communications around renewals and increased asks

  • Maintain donor database; track gifts, purchases, and ticket sales

  • Acknowledge and thank all individual donors in a timely manner through email and mail communications

Special Events

  • Coordinate planning, execution, and evaluation of special events, including exhibition opening, annual benefit, membership events, cultivation trips, dinners, and donor receptions

  • Secure, contract, and liaise with venues, caterers, and all other aspects of event planning such as furniture rentals, music, permits, insurance, and lighting when needed

  • Manage on-site gallery event logistics

  • Coordinate staff roles for all events; draft memos and checklists for staff prior to events

  • Solicit in­-kind donations of food, beverage, supplies, and materials for events

  • Create and manage lists of target individuals and firms per event, in consultation with Executive Director and other staff

  • Develop and implement proactive communications plans for special event invitations and direct asks, targeting new and potential supporters in collaboration Executive Director and other staff 

  • Manage marketing of events through email, calendar listings, website posts, and social media to ensure online visibility

  • Track income from special events and ensure all gifts are properly acknowledged through website and email mentions, social media posts, and thank you notes 

  • Create reports that evaluate and analyze the success of special events and suggest potential improvements

Earned Income

  • Assist in organizing and executing earned income initiatives, such as one-off auctions and artist editions

  • Coordinate invoicing, shipping, and delivery of artwork and merchandise sales

  • Participate in contract development and financial administration of fiscal sponsorships.

  • Participate in other earned income activities (i.e. administration of competition platforms, traveling exhibitions, honoraria) as needed.

  • Make recommendations on additional ways to secure earned income

Communications

  • Assist in refinement of CUE’s graphic identity and brand materials as related to development activity

  • Engage with existing and new donors and members on organizational mission and programs 

  • Draft, edit, and disseminate text and presentations about CUE’s mission and programs

  • Participate in web, email, and social media implementation as related to development activity

  • Work with other staff to support campaigns communicating CUE’s mission to external stakeholders in ways that center artists and their work, and that are public and accessible to various audiences 

  • Ensure that funders and donors are properly acknowledged in all communications

Administrative

  • Interface with public, assisting in staffing of front desk and answering phones

  • Process contracts, invoices, payments and expenses; support annual audit

  • Assist in reviewing monthly income and expense reports as needed

  • Participate in budgeting for special events and fundraising initiatives

  • File digital and hard copy documents

  • Assist with maintenance of space as needed, including ordering supplies, IT, and other administrative duties 

QUALIFICATIONS

CUE Art Foundation recognizes that individuals have diverse life experiences and trajectories that may qualify them for this role, and prioritizes characteristics, skills, and lived experience that will allow for a candidate to undertake the role and learn from CUE’s context in ways that support both the organization and the employee’s future career goals. The qualifications listed below are simply a guideline, and we encourage those who do not meet them all but believe they are a great fit to apply anyway.

Background

  • 1-2 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, administration, or other related field

  • A willingness to learn about various areas of development and communications for small arts organizations

  • Strong customer service and communication skills, both in individual and group settings; ability to make connections, conduct professional and warm conversations, and develop meaningful relationships

Project Management and Administrative Skills

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to develop clear and concise language and to draft, edit, and proofread writing for public and specialized audiences

  • Experience with budgeting and tracking income and expenses

  • Strong organizational, administrative, and time­ management skills with attention to detail; ability to understand big picture goals and needs and translate them to smaller scale tasks to implement projects with accuracy and efficiency

  • Comfort with fast-paced environment and tight deadlines; ability to prioritize multiple projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining high quality of work

  • Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to develop and manage relationships with diverse audiences as well as with donors, funders, artists, vendors, staff, and other stakeholders; ability to exercise keen judgment and maintain trust and discretion

  • Propensity for teamwork; desire to collaborate with others and ability to engage with diverse people working toward common goals

  • Apt problem solving skills; ability to think creatively to develop practical solutions and willingness to work effectively both with and without standards, templates, and supervision

Technical Skills

  • Knowledge of Salesforce or other database management software

  • Familiarity with research platforms and methods for grant and individual donor cultivation

  • Proficiency with Google Drive Suite, Excel, Word, presentation software, CRM and donor database tools, website platforms such as Squarespace, and social media channels; Adobe Creative Suite is a plus

Character and Motivation

  • Problem solver who is motivated to mitigate and resolve issues and challenges that arise

  • Creative thinker who enjoys innovating both independently and in a team context

  • Quick learner who is able to pick up new tools and learn new processes quickly

  • Teamworker who is motivated, highly organized, and self-directed when necessary

  • Energetic presence, with spirit of resourcefulness, flexibility, commitment, and optimism

SCHEDULE

The hours for this position are Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with occasional evenings and other hours for events and openings. The position is on-site at CUE’s Chelsea gallery space five days a week. The position will be expected to be self-directed on Saturdays, with the support of other associate staff and interns.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is $50,000 a year. This is a full time, exempt, permanent position. Health insurance, generous paid time off, and pre-tax transit are included in CUE’s employee benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter detailing your experience and interest in the position and in CUE Art Foundation, along with your resume, to apply@cueartfoundation.org. Please combine both documents into a single PDF file, and put the title of the position in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Finalists will be notified by CUE. No phone call or email inquiries, please

CUE Art Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, age, ability, origin, sexual orientation, religion, familial status, arrest or conviction record, or military status, among other factors. Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds or with non-traditional experiences who otherwise would be deterred from applying are highly encouraged to submit an application.