ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR

ABOUT P.S. ARTS

P.S. ARTS is dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for children and youth by providing arts education in systemically under-resourced schools and communities. The P.S. in P.S. ARTS stands for public schools. Dr. Paul Cummins founded P.S. ARTS in 1991 with seed funding from musician and philanthropist, Herb Alpert. They recognized that a steady decline in funding since the late 1970s had produced massive resource inequities in California public schools, and arts programs were virtually nonexistent in the schools serving the highest numbers of youth affected by poverty and systemic racism. By coordinating with school administers and parent groups P.S. ARTS provides community outreach programs that advocate for educational equity and provide creative experiences for the entire family.

P.S. ARTS has grown from serving 285 students in one school to over 30,000 students in 90 schools across Los Angeles County and California’s Central Valley. Today, true to its founding vision, P.S. ARTS is widely regarded as an exemplary arts education provider, advancing social justice by providing arts programs proven to foster students’ wellbeing and success in school, work, and life.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Advancement Director will lead P.S. ARTS fund development efforts. Collaborative and innovative in nature, the Director will work closely with senior leadership team to create and execute long-term fundraising vision and strategic direction of the organization. With an overall organization budget of over $5.5M that encompasses a diverse funding portfolio the incoming director will establish a fundraising infrastructure that supports P.S. ARTS’ mission and expansion.

While leading an Advancement team to set and achieve annual and long-term fundraising goals, the Director will manage all aspects of fundraising, events, and external affairs. In addition, the Director plays a central role in supporting the Board of Trustees in their responsibility as fundraisers and ambassadors. The Director, in collaboration with the CEO, will be the staff liaison for the Board’s Governance committee and support trustee recruitment, orientation, training, and development.

A successful Advancement Director is well versed in equitable fundraising strategies, practices diplomacy in all job-related interactions, and understands how to develop and execute a financial vision. Visiting with and stewarding donors, partners, and prospects and representing P.S. ARTS publicly in order to secure major and transformational gifts for our work will be a main priority. The Advancement Director’s overall goal is to ensure the organizations’ fundraising strategies effectively support and scale P.S. ARTS’ mission, goals and initiatives.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Strategy & Organizational Leadership

• Develops and oversees the creation and execution of an annual advancement plan to meet annual organizational goals, currently set to 2.4 million for FY24.
• Develops and oversees advancement strategies, including long-term strategic plans to increase fundraising goals and establish an organization culture that incorporates a DEI lens within its fundraising activities.
• Collaborates with CEO to give focus to the fundraising efforts of the Board of Trustees and act as a staff liaison to the Advancement and Governance Committees.
• Oversees all fundraising efforts for foundation, corporate, individual and government sectors.
• Facilitates and participates in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition of donors (individual and corporate), involving volunteer leaders (such as board members and other community members) as appropriate.
• Works with Senior Leadership team to create and manage annual Development budget.
• Assists in submitting financial records for annual Audit.

Advancement Leadership

• Manages and maintains the Vision & Action Fund.
• Plans and executes donor cultivation and stewardship events.
• Oversees the individual giving and major gifts program by identifying prospects, cultivating donors, and facilitating solicitation.
• Monitors and organizes aspects of P.S. ARTS endowment.
• Works with Finance Director to study/monitor giving trends, measure effectiveness of campaigns, and oversee the budget for general department activities.
• Supervises the Advancement team by promoting positive department culture, ensuring compliance, quality execution, and alignment with P.S. ARTS mission and values.
• Leads staff in implementing and executing work plans to meet individual and organizational goals.

Board Relations

• Attends all Board meetings and provides CEO with income and Board giving information, as requested.
• Works with CEO to develop and maintain active and consistent relationship management with Board of Directors.
• Develops and maintains advancement-related reports to trustees, members, and broad P.S. ARTS community.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of five (5) years’ development, fundraising experience, ideally with an arts or education organization.
• 5+ years of experience growing and leading a development team.
• Direct experience cultivating and solicitating donations at the $5,000 level and up.
• Demonstrated skill in developing and implementing strategies for solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship of individuals, corporations, foundations, and prospective board members.
• Demonstrated ability to work with non-profit boards and oversee board governance.
• Attention to details with experience developing and forecasting a budget.
• Proficiency in donor management software, Raisers Edge preferred.
• Strong administrative and communication skills.
• A polished and specialized demeanor to represent P.S. ARTS and its values in public-facing opportunities with trustees, donors, volunteers and constituents.
• Familiarity with basic nonprofit accounting principles preferred.
• Familiarity with the arts and arts education field preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $120,000 – $140,000.  P.S. ARTS offers a hybrid work schedule to its staff and a  generous benefits package medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, 401 K (unmatched), and FSA eligible. With an annual PTO of 10 vacation days, 21 paid holidays, 72 hours of paid sick leave, bereavement leave, and summer Fridays.  

P.S. ARTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. P.S. ARTS does not discriminate against any person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, political affiliation or citizenship. All qualified applicants, including minorities and women, are encouraged to apply.

P.S. ARTS is dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity for children and youth by providing arts education in systemically under-resources schools and communities.

P.S. ARTS encourages all employees to feel empowered by and model the Organization’s values: Art, Community, Equity, Innovation & Excellence.

Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.889.7905 to request and arrange for assistance.