Development & Communications Associate

Arts Ignite (formerly Artists Striving To End Poverty) is an international nonprofit arts education organization headquartered in New York City. Founded sixteen years ago by Broadway Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Arts Ignite cultivates community, creative capacity, and courage in young people through arts experiences across multiple art forms by bringing arts workshops, summer camps and after school programs to over 20,000 young people on three continents (Asia, Africa and North America). 

Arts Ignite programs engage young people ages 4-21 through partnerships with community organizations, NGOs, and schools, serving youth affected by systemic issues and their effects including; the justice system, gun-violence, refugee status, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, systemic poverty and the caste system. As a global community of passionate and exceptional teaching artists and educators, Arts Ignite believes the arts can be a powerful force for helping young people develop agency, awakening their imaginations to new worlds and possibilities, and creating a ripple effect that can transform their lives.

This year is a turning point for the organization as it welcomes a new Executive Director who will work with a dynamic staff and engaged board to take the organization to a new level. We seek to add a Development & Communications Associate to support our expanded vision and impact.   

This position is part of a small development team that works together closely to achieve its goals. 

The Development & Communications Associate reports to the Director of Development & Communications.

Arts Ignite seeks an individual who is entrepreneurial and a strategic thinker with strong communications and writing skills.  The organization is well positioned for growth and impact.  

ARTS IGNITE'S COMMITMENT TO ANTIRACISM AND ANTI-OPPRESSION

Arts Ignite is committed to antiracism and anti-oppression as a foundation for all areas of our organizational operation. We engage in both formal (training, consultancies) to continue to interrogate supremacist behavior in ourselves and our organization. We are committed to seeking staff members and teaching artists that are representative of the communities we serve, therefore cultivating a sense of belonging across diverse populations is crucial to our success.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

Fundraising & Donor Relations (Individual)

• Support the Development Team and Board of Directors to build relationships with current donors.
• Cultivate prospective donors and funders, through personal contacts, regular communications and other activities. 
• Manage Online Auction campaigns from conception to  fulfillment. 
• Provide support to on-going online and direct mail fundraising campaigns.
• Logistical support for  fundraising events & local (NYC) cultivation activities.

Communications 

• Lead Development communication writing (emails, letters, website content)
• Create original copy and graphics for fundraising Initiatives.
• Manage communications and fundraising calendar.
• Assist with writing and design of the Annual Report.
• Support social media activities.
• Maintain Media archive.

Data Management

• Maintain clean, efficient, current database all prospects, donors and other contacts in SalesForce
• Process acknowledgements, contributions, gifts in kind, and other information related to special events and donor cultivation
• Generate stewardship reports, annual reports, updated donor lists
• Prepare & Send email communications through MailChimp
• Manage Mailing list
• Support Board meeting material preparation

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience and at least 2-3 years of major gift and/or other fundraising experience; familiarity with all aspects of fundraising principles and practices.
• Excellent communications skills, written and oral. 
• Strong project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully maintain and utilize database systems 
• An understanding of and commitment to Arts Ignite’s mission and the populations we serve.
• A team player (sense of humor helpful).
• A passion for the performing and visual arts and how arts education can benefit young people.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS 

Salary range is between 40-45k annually. Arts Ignite provides a comprehensive benefits package to its employees, including: paid vacation and sick days, Medical and Dental insurance, 401k, FSA/Commuter, Life and Long Term Disability insurance.

Arts Ignite provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, marital status or favorite color. 

HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should email a cover letter, salary requirement and resume to Davinia Troughton, Director of Finance and Operations, at davinia@artsignite.org with the Subject: Development & Communications Associate. Only applicants who are being considered as candidates will be contacted.