Director of Development, Ball & Socket Arts

Location: Cheshire, CT 

Type: Full-time, with hybrid scheduling 

Reports to: Executive Director

About Ball & Socket Arts

Ball & Socket Arts is a dynamic nonprofit arts organization celebrating its 10th anniversary and poised for rapid growth and expansion.

Since 2014, Ball & Socket Arts has been transforming an abandoned industrial campus into an innovative and dynamic arts destination for the central Connecticut region (and beyond). Built on the ethos of sustainability and historic preservation, Ball & Socket Arts offers vibrant arts & culture programming and provides accessible and relevant experiences to a broad public audience. 

In Fall 2023, we opened Building 3, our first permanent gallery space, marking a major milestone in our Phase 1 programming. We offer curated gallery exhibitions, rotating mural installations, writers' workshops, outdoor concerts, artist talks, and more. Simultaneously, we are completing construction on the remaining sections of our historic factory buildings and grounds.

Philanthropy and the Future of Ball & Socket Arts

We are looking for an ambitious, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented Director of Development to join our team and help build a robust development program. As a key member of our growing organization, you will play a crucial role in building our donor base, leading fundraising efforts, and managing a large-scale capital campaign to support the completion of our primary building. This is a unique opportunity to shape the development strategy for an emerging cultural institution with immense potential.

Why Join Us?

At Ball & Socket Arts we believe in the transformative power of the arts to inspire, connect, and enrich communities. This is an exciting opportunity to join a young, growing organization at a pivotal moment in our journey. As Director of Development, you’ll have the chance to shape our fundraising strategy, lead a major capital campaign, and play a key role in securing the future of our organization.

Position Overview

The Director of Development will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board Chair, and Director of Programming to lead all aspects of fundraising. This role requires an experienced fundraiser with a proven ability to cultivate and secure major gifts, particularly from individual donors. You will spearhead efforts to strengthen our fundraising infrastructure, lead donor cultivation strategies, and manage special events and campaigns. As the primary fundraiser, you will also be instrumental in launching our upcoming capital campaign.

The successful candidate will build on the momentum of the organization’s first ten years and be instrumental in writing its next chapter. We’re looking for a candidate with a growth mindset, exceptional organizational skills, and a deep passion for arts, historic preservation, community engagement, and creative placemaking who can convey our mission and vision to a wide range of stakeholders. The ability to close 5- and 6- figure gifts, manage donor relationships, and work collaboratively within a small, multi-faceted organization is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising

·       Work in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Board to develop effective strategies to achieve a $250,000 annual fund goal and a $3.5 million capital campaign goal over the course of the next 3 years.

·       Develop and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, and deepening donor relationships, collaborating with leadership on prospect research, and portfolio management.

·       Identify prospects, solicit and steward individual donors, both locally and nationally.

·       Develop persuasive storytelling strategies that convey Ball & Socket’s mission and impact and motivate a call to action for philanthropy.

·       Oversee 3-5 individual giving campaigns and appeals per year, tracking and reporting results while adjusting strategies as needed.

·       Manage a starting portfolio of 50 -100 donors, with potential for growth, building close relationships to secure annual and multi-year gifts.

·       Engage and support staff members in fundraising efforts, creating opportunities for education and donor cultivation.

·       Develop and manage the annual development budget.

·       Uphold the highest ethical standards in all fundraising activities, instilling trust and confidence in donors, allies, and partners.

Event-Based Fundraising

·       Lead the planning and execution of on-site and off-site fundraising events, such as our annual Evening About Town event.

·       Collaborate with the Director of Programming on special events to promote donor engagement and giving.

Board Relations & Management

·       Maintain close coordination with the Board, supporting their fundraising efforts and engagement.

·       Identify and cultivate potential Board members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and culture.

Data Management & Systems

·       Oversee the maintenance of donor databases, ensuring clean data and comprehensive records of all donor interactions.

·       Regularly assess and enhance the effectiveness of fundraising systems, including CRM tools and online giving platforms.

Reporting & Communications

·       Provide clear, timely updates on fundraising progress, campaign results, and financial projections to the Executive Director and Board.

·       Ensure transparency regarding fiscal challenges, budget needs, and potential shortfalls, providing solutions wherever possible.

Qualifications & Skills

·       5+ years of fundraising experience, preferably within the arts, nonprofit, or community engagement sectors.

·       Proven track record of closing 5-figure gifts.

·       Proven experience creating and executing successful major donor strategies.

·       Strong project management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

·       Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with donors and stakeholders.

·       Proficient in donor management platforms such as Bloomerang and QGiv, Microsoft 360, Google Suite, and QuickBooks.

·       Experience planning and executing donor events and fundraising campaigns.

·       High level of professionalism, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all interactions.

·       A passion for arts, culture, historic preservation, and creative placemaking.

·       Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to exercise independent judgment.

·       Ability and willingness to travel and to work some evenings and weekends as required for committee meetings and events.

·       Flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and innovate.

Compensation:

This is a full-time position. Starting salary range is $75,000 - $85,000 and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

Health and Dental

Application Process:

We invite applicants to submit a resume and cover letter expressing their interest and qualifications for the role. Applications will be accepted and reviewed as received until the position is filled. We are seeking a diverse applicant pool.

Please send materials to:  isomogyi@ballandsocket.org or mail to: Ilona Somogyi, exec. Director; Ball & Socket Arts; PO Box 128; Cheshire, CT 06410-0128

Ball & Socket Arts, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.