Director of Institutional Giving

The Opportunity

MacDowell, America’s first multidisciplinary artist residency program, seeks a Director of Institutional Giving (D-IG) for a full-time, hybrid position based in our New York City office and gallery space starting in May 2026. Since its founding in 1907, MacDowell has provided crucial time and space to more than 9,500 artists working across a variety of disciplines. MacDowell Fellowships have supported James Baldwin, Celine Song, Meredith Monk, Isabel Sandoval, Michael Chabon, Bebe Miller, Paula Vogel, Faith Ringgold, and many others in creating their enduring works of the imagination.

The Director of Institutional Giving works under the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to secure foundation, corporate, and government funding as part of a dynamic and collaborative Development team that raises $4 million+ annually. The Director will function at a senior level to develop strategies and long-term partnerships to sustain and grow institutional funding from current and prospective funders. Bringing innovative approaches to research, analysis, cultivation, and stewardship that contribute to MacDowell’s broader development program, the Director will oversee an annual raise of $1.5 million in support of MacDowell’s strategic objectives, with the goal of growing institutional giving to $2-3 million per year over time.

The ideal candidate will bring a minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, excellent writing and communication skills, and a proven ability to create and execute a multi-year cultivation strategy and donor pipeline. We are looking for an exceptional relationship builder who will be a compelling and passionate ambassador for MacDowell’s artist residency program.

Responsibilities:

Grants Strategy and Management

• Partner with the CAO and Executive Director (ED) to develop and implement a multi-year institutional giving strategy focused on foundations and corporate funders
• Oversee the full grant management process, from prospecting to proposal writing, submission and tracking of proposals, data collection and reporting, and correspondence with foundation and corporate donors
• Manage the annual calendar of grant proposals, inquiries, and reporting
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective funders through ongoing research and qualification
• Work with Admissions, Campus Planning, Events, and other program areas to ensure accurate data and compelling messaging is incorporated into funder communications
• Work with Finance to develop grant budgets, prepare reports and ensure accurate recordkeeping in the Development database

Institutional Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship

• Research and identify corporate and foundation prospects and opportunities
• Partner with the CAO and ED to advance high-level engagement strategies with top funding prospects
• Steward relationships with institutional funders and prospects; initiate and attend offsite meetings and events as a representative of MacDowell, and ensure relevant contacts are invited to MacDowell events
• Take an entrepreneurial approach to identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, leveraging MacDowell’s network of board members, artists, and other contacts
• Develop and maintain prospect profiles and conduct weekly meetings to review and track prospect cultivation plans
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop engaging funder collateral
• Develop partnership and co-branding strategies with corporations and coordinate with Events on business sponsor proposals

Data, Systems, and Portfolio Management

• Maintain accurate institutional giving records in Salesforce
• Utilize research and wealth screening tools to inform strategy and prospect development
• Collaborate with the Development team to build out the prospecting functions in Salesforce and contribute to regular portfolio review meetings
• Assess MacDowell’s Fellowship funding structures to streamline administration, strengthen funding cases, and improve stewardship
• Coordinate with Development, Admissions, and Finance to implement best practices around Named Fellowship selection and reporting processes
• Attend all Development department meetings, and other internal Staff and Board meetings as needed

Qualifications & Skills:

• Professional experience on a Development team over a period of 5-7 years
• Proven track record of securing large-scale institutional and corporate funding for a comparable non-profit organization
• Strong knowledge of and connections within the corporate giving ecosystem
• Prior experience with capital campaigns preferred
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to effectively steward relationships board members, donors, artists, foundation, and corporate contacts
• Computer skills essential; proficiency with Salesforce CRM preferred
• Familiarity with or willingness to learn AI tools for fundraising
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities with changing priorities and accomplish objectives in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational, project management, and proofreading skills
• Enthusiastic, positive attitude and the ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Passion for the arts and the artistic disciplines represented at MacDowell
• Ability to tactfully and diplomatically handle sensitive and confidential information

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to regularly commute to the New York office (3x a week)
• Ability to sit or stand in front of a computer workstation for 40 hours/week
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff members and other stakeholders by email, phone, virtually and in person
• Some evening and overnight travel required
• Valid driver’s license required for occasional travel to Peterborough, New Hampshire

Health and dental insurance; life and short-term disability insurance; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; employer contributions to a 403(b)-retirement account; paid family leave; and generous paid time off.