Posted on November 8, 2012

print

Development Assistant

The School of American Ballet is the nation’s preeminent ballet academy, the official school of the New York City Ballet, and a constituent organization of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Over the past 78 years, SAB has trained over 19,000 ballet dancers and has placed more promising young people into professional dance companies than any other U.S. school. Today, SAB trains over 770 students annually and provides thousands of local children and families with free and reduced cost ballet-focused programming.

The School seeks a Development Assistant, Institutional Giving to support the management of a robust Institutional fundraising plan which annually raises nearly $1.3 million from family foundations, leading philanthropies, government agencies, and corporate entities. The Development Assistant, Institutional Giving is a new position, and will be a vital member of the School’s eight-person Development team, who together with the Executive Director and Board of Trustees raise nearly $5 million in annual funds, plus additional endowment support.

The Development Assistant, Institutional Giving will report to the Director of Institutional Giving. Professional responsibilities will include:

• Efficiently and thoroughly managing the administrative needs of the Institutional Giving department. This includes: maintaining files and the donor database, creating and updating tracking systems, assisting in the processing of donations, mailing or delivering correspondence, providing general clerical assistance, responding to donor questions in a timely and professional manner, assisting with the production of Board meeting materials, and collaborating with coworkers on projects.
• Participating in the drafting, proofing, and finalizing process for funding proposals, reports, templates, letters of intent, and general correspondence.
• Drafting of acknowledgement letters in a timely manner and ensuring appropriate completion of donation recognition materials.
• Preparing and updating organization and project budgets, board and staff lists, organization charts, etc.
• Researching current and prospective donors, creating prospect files, and working with the Director of Institutional Giving to develop a plan for approaching each funder.
• Managing all Institutional Giving direct mail pieces and mailing lists.
• Collaborating with Development staff to continually cultivate prospects and further develop relationships with current funders. This includes: helping to prepare monthly call lists, researching and proposing prospects, and providing support with ongoing donor cultivation activities and special events.

Applicable candidates will possess a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred), excellent writing skills, an interest in budgeting and data analysis, and the ability to prioritize and manage time and projects in a busy environment. He/she should value collaboration as well as autonomy, accept feedback and act on recommendations, and have the ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced office environment. He/she must represent the institution well to the general public and funders. An interest in the performing arts, dance, and/or education is desirable. The ideal candidate would be looking to enter or advance within the Development field, and possess a strong interest in learning and developing institutional fundraising skills.

The School of American Ballet is proud to provide a superior benefits package, which includes full health benefits, Transit Check/HSA savings plan, four weeks vacation (plus two holiday weeks in December), and generous retirement savings benefits. Salary commensurate with experience.

Application Instructions

Submit cover letter and resume to developmentsearch@sab.org