The Arts & Science Council, a supporting organization of Foundation For The Carolinas, nurtures Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s cultural ecosystem by supporting local creatives and nonprofits. Its mission is to foster community retention, drive economic growth, and enhance residents’ quality of life. 

As a funder and fundraiser, ASC offers grants, manages public art, supports community-led programs like Culture Blocks, and provides educational programming for PreK-12 students. As an advocate and resource, ASC also provides funding support, workshops, and cultural education. ASC’s work aims to remove barriers, ensure cultural access for all, and promote upward mobility.

The Development Director (full time) will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Arts & Science Council by driving strategic fundraising initiatives and cultivating meaningful relationships with donors and partners. This position requires a dynamic leader who is passionate about arts, science, and culture and skilled in relationship building, strategy development, and donor engagement.

The Development Director will lead ASC’s comprehensive fundraising efforts, including cultivating individual and corporate donors, managing workplace giving campaigns, and implementing strategies to increase philanthropic support for ASC’s mission. Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy, this dynamic leader will build relationships, drive donor engagement, and align development initiatives with ASC’s goals to advance arts, science, and cultural programs in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

 Key Responsibilities

• Individual Donor Engagement: 
  • Develop and execute strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, with a focus on expanding ASC’s major gifts portfolio
  • Create and oversee donor recognition programs and create personalized engagement plans for individual donors.
    
    
• Corporate Partnerships:
  • Cultivate and maintain relationships with corporate partners to secure sponsorships, grants, and in-kind contributions.
  • Create customized corporate engagement opportunities that align with ASC’s mission and corporate giving goals. 
    
    
• Workplace Giving Campaigns:
  • Oversee the execution of workplace giving initiatives, ensuring strong participation and impactful results.
  • Steward new employee engagement campaigns and develop innovative approaches to engage employees and enhance campaign visibility.
    
    
• Donor Retention and Acquisition:
  • Analyze donor data to identify trends, set benchmarks, and implement targeted strategies to retain existing donors and attract new supporters.
  • Create compelling donor communications, including annual year-end campaigns, general appeals, impact reports, and personalized outreach.
  • Represent ASC at community events, cultivating relationships with stakeholders and advocating for ASC’s mission.
    
    
• Fundraising Events and Campaigns:
  • Work in collaboration with Program and Education Director to plan and execute special events and initiatives to support ASC’s fundraising goals.
  • Collaborate with the VP of Philanthropy and Board of Directors to meet organizational fundraising targets.
    
    
• Data and Reporting:
  • Maintain accurate donor records and oversee the use of CRM systems to track and manage donor activity.
  • Provide regular reports on progress toward fundraising goals, identifying opportunities for improvement.

• A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, development, or a related role, with a demonstrated ability to achieve ambitious revenue goals.
• Experience managing workplace giving campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and major gift portfolios.
• Proficiency with donor management software (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud) and data-driven fundraising strategies.
•  Knowledge of the arts, culture, and nonprofit sector, particularly in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. 
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey ASC’s mission and values.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in fundraising and donor engagement.