Development Associate

**SUMMARY**

Reporting to the Head of Development & Patron Engagement, the Development Associate serves as a frontline fundraiser and is responsible for developing corporate, foundation and community support and revenue growth for the AGA’s institutional mission, programs, special projects and operations. The position focuses on achieving the AGA’s annual fundraising goals and expanding philanthropic activities within the AGA as well as its community.

**Scope and Standards**

Working within a collegial frame of reference in an empowerment-based model, the **Development Associate **is responsible for:

- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with AGA full-time and part-time staff, volunteers and the Board of Directors.
- Representing the AGA to internal and external stakeholders including: AGA Members, Patrons, Donors, Sponsors, Board members and others.
- As this position has access to personal and financial information, confidentiality and discretion is paramount.
- Demonstrating the core values of the Art Gallery of Alberta with emphasis on professionalism, sound judgment and best practices.
- Maintaining professional museum standards and ethics by working within the Ethical Guidelines outlined by the Canadian Museums Association and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

**Responsibilities**
- Manage a portfolio of sponsor, foundation and donor relationships to maintain positive stewardship and engagement while working to achieve fundraising targets of the organization.
- Identify and grow annual giving revenue streams, including sponsorships for AGA exhibitions and programming, corporate memberships, grant funding and individual donor support.
- Identify, grow and manage a portfolio of sponsor relationships, including proposal development, meetings/stewardship, post-sponsorship reporting & ongoing relationship management.
- Take leadership in managing sponsorship and funding agreement matrix to ensure benefits and reporting requirements are completed.
- Work closely with the AGA marketing and program teams to ensure all sponsorship benefits are provided to funders/donors.
- Work with the Head of Development & Patron Engagement to steward existing funder relationships, identify new partnership opportunities, and grow the community of AGA supporters.
- Research and pursue grant and foundation opportunities in support of AGA programming and operations.
- Develop case messaging documents, proposal templates and sponsorship outlines for annual exhibitions, events and programming.
- Support the department in meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals as set in annually approved budgets.
- Build strong and mutually beneficial relationships between the AGA and the diverse communities it serves.
- Support the successful execution of fundraising and membership events including: Art on the Block, Holly Ball, exhibition openings, Sponsor’s Preview, Curator’s and Director’s Circle, as well as other donor stewardship events.
- Ensure the efficient organization and maintenance of the donor database and integrity of donor, member and sponsor data. Track prospect/donor moves as appropriate in the database.
- Perform all duties in a professional manner, in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines, the Code of Ethics of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Museum Association Ethical Guidelines.
- Other duties as assigned.

**Core Competencies**
- Team player
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising core-competencies
- Highly developed sense of customer service and stewardship
- Discretion and sound judgement
- Attention to detail
- Self-motivated and directed
- Excels in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment

**Qualifications**
- A professional fundraising certification or minimum 2 years equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated success in managing and forging relationships with multiple donor and sponsorship sources.
- Demonstrated success in securing donations and increasing existing donor contributions, including: research, networking, solicitation and closing major outright and future gifts.
- Excellent relationship management and stewardship skills, committed to building and maintaining relationships with major donors and sponsors.
- Reflect an optimistic and positive attitude and convey sensitivity to the needs of the donors and stakeholders.
- Skills and discipline to use donor management and CRM systems, prior experience with Tessitura or other CRM software.
- A self-motivational workstyle, able to work effectively remotely, and under the changing conditions of COVID.
- Knowledge and adherence to the highest ethical standards and best practices with respect to CRA and AFP guidelines.
- Excellent communications skills, both written and oral presentations.
- Exceptional planning and project management skills.
- Excellent writing, speaki