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Hiring: Development Director (On-site)

By April 21, 2026 No Comments

Hiring: Development Director (On-site)

Full job description

OVERVIEW
The Development Director leads all fundraising, donor engagement, grant management, and special events for SFAI. Working closely with the Executive Director, staff, and the Board’s External Affairs Committee, this role is central to sustaining and growing the organization’s contributed income. The Director serves as the primary liaison with foundation partners, the lead steward of individual donor relationships, and the architect of fundraising planning, communications, and events that connect SFAI’s supporters to its mission.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategy

  • Develop and maintain a multi-year fundraising forecast, tracking progress toward long-range revenue targets and major funder commitments
  • Develop and execute the annual fundraising plan to support the organization’s budget 
  • Align fundraising priorities with SFAI’s annual and multi-year programmatic objectives; revisit and adapt strategy as organizational goals and programs evolve
  • Organize cultivation and stewardship plans for the Executive Director and Board members
  • Direct annual fund appeals and major fundraising campaigns from planning strategy through implementation 
  • Plan and execute all donor cultivation and fundraising events end-to-end with support from the Board External Affairs Committee, SFAI staff, contractors (when needed), and the Executive Director

Major Donor Cultivation

  • Generate and cultivate  major gifts; develop individualized cultivation and solicitation plans and actively make asks at the major gift level
  • Innovate donor recognition efforts 
  • Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors for planned giving and endowment initiatives
  • Update the ED regularly on portfolio activity

Annual Giving  Campaigns

  • Develop and oversee the year-round individual giving program, managing and growing an active portfolio of donors and prospects across all giving levels
  • Develop consistent, compelling messaging for all donor-facing appeals, emails, and communications; manage list segmentation and send timing
  • Create and distribute  the donor newsletter, campaign emails (updates, asks, impact reports, event invitations), and other regular stewardship communications
  • Develop and implement donor re-engagement, retention, and alumni cultivation initiatives 
  • Track and analyze giving metrics and campaign performance
  • Re-institute and grow SFAI’s membership program

Corporate, Foundation, & Community  Relations

  • Serve as primary liaison for SFAI’s foundation partners; manage grant agreements, deadlines, reporting, and compliance across the full portfolio
  • Write compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and narrative reports in partnership with program and artistic staff
  • Develop a pipeline of prospective funders; research new and existing foundation, corporate, and government opportunities aligned with SFAI’s priorities
  • Identify and manage a portfolio of corporate sponsors; ensure fulfillment of partnership deliverables and maintain strong ongoing relationships
  • Pursue in-kind contribution opportunities to support events and programs
  • Represent SFAI at community events and programs as an organizational ambassador

Special Fundraising Events

  • Set event tactics and revenue goals in partnership with the Executive Director 
  • Execute all donor cultivation and fundraising events end-to-end with support from the Board External Affairs Committee, SFAI Staff, Contractors (when needed), and the Executive Director
  • Oversee the annual fundraiser and related logistics with support from the Board External Affairs Committee, SFAI staff, contractors (when needed), and the Executive Director
  • Serve as host and staff lead for all development-related events
  • Attend SFAI public programs as needed

Board Relations

  • Engage the Board and External Affairs Committee on all fundraising initiatives; devise and manage Board members’ annual giving and action plans
  • Prepare and present development reports for the Executive Director and Board; support Board members in donor introductions and solicitations

Fundraising Systems & Administration

  • Produce regular reports on projected and actual contributed income 
  • Manage the development budget, ensuring planned activities are cost effective
  • Maintain CRM database integrity: accurate donor records, gift processing, prompt acknowledgment, and appropriate recognition
  • Oversee monthly reconciliation with the Executive Director and contracted accounting firm, establish data entry standards and generate regular fundraising dashboards


REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

This position requires a creative, entrepreneurial, and highly motivated individual with a strong  affinity for  SFAI’s mission. The ideal candidate has the following experience and skills. 

Experience

  • 6–8 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience within a cultural, arts, or mission-driven nonprofit context
  • Demonstrated record of securing and closing individual and major gifts, including cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
  • Experience planning for diversified revenue streams, including individual giving, foundations, corporate sponsorships, and public funding
  • Experience developing and managing a full grants portfolio, including proposal development, reporting, and compliance
  • Familiarity with the Santa Fe/New Mexico philanthropic landscape, with established or emerging relationships with local and regional donors and funders
  • Experience working with or alongside artists, creative practitioners, or arts-based organizations

Skills

  • Ability to design and execute integrated fundraising strategies across multiple channels and revenue streams
  • Strong grant writing and proposal development skills, with the ability to translate mission, programs, and impact into compelling narratives
  • Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and donor-facing communications
  • Relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and steward donors, board members, artists, and community stakeholders across diverse backgrounds
  • Strategic and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities, solve problems, and drive results with a high degree of autonomy
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with attention to detail
  • Discretion and judgment in handling confidential donor and organizational information
  • Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, PatronManager), Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace
  • Working knowledge of email marketing platforms and digital fundraising tools

Additional Requirements

  • Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed for events and performances

SALARY & BENEFITS 

  • Salary: $80,000–$90,000 annually
  • PTO: 160 hours annually, plus 10 paid holidays and a paid winter break (December 25–January 1)
  • Cell Phone: $25/month reimbursement
  • Health Insurance: Employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Retirement: 403(b) plan with up to 5% employer match
  • Disability: Short-term and long-term disability insurance, fully employer-paid

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES & WORK ENVIRONMENT
Staff are expected to work 40 hours a week, and to be available from 9 AM – 5 PM, but we offer some flexibility in the work week to accommodate staff needs and the needs of the visiting artists and guests. SFAI staff are currently working a hybrid of off-site and on-site, with full time staff members committing to be on site for staff meetings and three other times during the week. This schedule will change as needed.

TO APPLY 

  1. Submit a one-page letter explaining why you are interested in this position and  your skills and experience 
  2. A current CV or resume. 

Submit your letter and current CV or resume as PDFs  to tthomas@sfai.org with “Development Director Application_[Your First and Last Name]” as the subject line.

SFAI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical ability, or any category protected by law. We will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Toccarra Thomas, Executive Director, at tthomas@sfai.org 

The position is available immediately. 

ABOUT SANTA FE ART INSTITUTE
Founded in 1985, the Santa Fe Art Institute (SFAI) is an arts organization committed to supporting artists whose work addresses pressing social, cultural, and environmental issues. Located in a landmark building designed by Ricardo Legorreta, SFAI has developed a reputation as a hub for experimentation, critical inquiry, and socially engaged artmaking. Through its international thematic residencies and programs, SFAI has supported more than 1,700 artists from around the world, providing time, space, and resources to pursue work that sparks dialogue and fosters community connection. Situated in Santa Fe’s Midtown district, SFAI plays a key role in the city’s cultural ecosystem, linking local communities to global conversations and cultivating new models of artist-driven exchange. 

We support and amplify dynamic artistic practices that engage complex social issues, inspire individual transformation, and inform collective action. 

Santa Fe Art Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

Ability to Commute:

  • Santa Fe, NM 87505 (Required)

Work Location: In person

SFAI is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.