Individual Giving Manager

New York Studio School is an independent nonprofit art school in Greenwich Village, now entering a dynamic new chapter under Executive Director Matthew Ritchie. Founded in 1964 by artists for artists, the School is committed to offering a significant education to aspiring artists that can last a lifetime through intensive study in drawing, painting, and sculpture. Housed on West Eighth Street in the former private residence and studio of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, and the original site of the Whitney Museum of American Art, NYSS remains deeply rooted in the primacy of studio practice, perception, and serious work.

The School offers MFA and Certificate programs, immersive studio experiences, and a robust range of evening, weekend, and summer classes for emerging and established artists seeking to deepen their practice through sustained making. Through lectures, exhibitions, and public programs, NYSS brings artists, students, critics, and the broader public into direct conversation around the ideas and questions shaping art today. Building on its historic mission while embracing new ideas, collaborations, and public initiatives, the School continues to serve as a vital center for contemporary art, education, and exchange.

Position Overview

The Individual Giving Manager will play a key role in shaping the next chapter of NYSS by growing individual and alumni giving in support of the School’s annual operating needs and long term fundraising goals. The Individual Giving Manager will partner closely with the Director of Development to build and manage a robust prospect pipeline, test fresh approaches to engagement, and create more direct connections between donors and the life of the School.

This role is ideal for an early to mid career fundraiser who is ready to grow into greater portfolio responsibility. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful relationship builder who enjoys connecting with artists, alumni, and community members and feels energized by being front facing with donors and prospects. They are organized, curious, and proactive, comfortable managing details in a CRM while also trying new ideas to strengthen donor engagement and annual giving. A successful Individual Giving Manager will bring strong writing and communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and genuine enthusiasm for the arts and arts education, along with the judgment to represent the School with warmth, professionalism, and care.

Key Responsibilities

Individual giving and portfolio management

• In coordination with the Director of Development, support leadership and major donor strategy toward building a robust portfolio of approximately 100 to 150 leadership, mid level, alumni, and community donors and prospects.
• Focus on growing individual and alumni giving, strengthening donor retention, and increasing annual support across multiple giving levels.
• Help shape donor strategies for key cultivation events and the annual gala, including guest lists, briefings, and follow up plans that move event attendees into ongoing annual giving.
• Track moves management, pledges, and projections in Little Green Light CRM database, prepare pipeline and revenue reports, and contribute to annual and multi year forecasting.

Membership

• Co manage a new membership program focused on member events, refining benefits, and implementing renewal and upgrade strategies.
• Grow recurring individual revenue and identify pathways for members to deepen their engagement and giving over time.

Alumni activation and engagement

• Lead alumni giving strategies that re-energize a base of approximately 2,500 alumni and drive recurring annual support.
• Design and implement digital campaigns, peer to peer efforts, and volunteer outreach that build alumni participation and loyalty.

Donor communications and stewardship

• Draft acknowledgment letters and follow up communications for annual, alumni, event, and mid level donors, helping move one time supporters into ongoing cultivation portfolios.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and follow up correspondence for the Director, leadership, and trustees for donor meetings, cultivation events, and campaigns.
• Help design and execute stewardship practices that deepen loyalty, including impact updates, acknowledgments, recognition lists, and donor touchpoint calendars.

Data, systems, and administration

• Maintain accurate, timely records of all interactions, solicitations, and gifts in the Little Green Light CRM database, including coding, acknowledgments, and reporting.
• Support departmental planning by producing clear revenue and pipeline reports and monitoring progress toward individual giving goals

Skills and Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills
• Clear, polished writing and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively
• Collaborative, flexible, and comfortable working across teams
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion
• Genuine interest in the visual arts and arts education

Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree required, bachelor’s degree preferred
• 2 to 4 years of professional experience in fundraising
• Experience supporting one or more of the following: individual giving, annual giving, alumni engagement, or membership programs
• Experience managing donor records, gift tracking, and reporting in a CRM database

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume as a single PDF to humanresources@nyss.org and include ‘Individual Giving Manager’ in the subject line.

NYSS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, disability and life insurance, paid time off for holidays, vacation, sick, and personal days, commuter and flexible spending benefits, and access to a health savings account and retirement saving plans.