Assistant/Associate Director of Philanthropy and Engagement

Assistant/Associate Director of Philanthropy and Engagement

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

La Jolla, CA

We sit at the intersection of music, art, community, and history — and we are growing! The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is a beloved San Diego institution entering an exciting new chapter after a strategic planning process. We are in search of a driven and creative fundraiser to help write the next one.

About Us

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is a dynamic cultural hub and membership library where music, art and learning thrive. Welcoming the San Diego community and beyond since 1899, we create spaces where curiosity, creativity, and community flourish. We provide music and arts library resources, studio art classes, and year-round exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and other public programs to San Diego communities. Our organizational budget is approximately $2.5 million, and we work across two locations: the historic library in downtown La Jolla, and the Athenaeum Art Center in Logan Heights, inside the Bread & Salt building.

The Role

The Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Engagement reports directly to the Executive Director, and will own our full fundraising operation — individual donors, corporate partners, grants, membership, and our annual benefit gala. You will lead fundraising efforts, membership program, and communications. This position will collaborate deeply with the Executive Director and manage the Membership and Communications departments to achieve organizational fundraising goals that promote and support the Athenaeum’s mission and programs. You will manage a small team and work shoulder-to-shoulder with the Board to grow the culture of giving that sustains everything we do.

What You Will Be Doing

Raise Money

• Design and implement fundraising strategies to meet budget goals for individual, foundation, corporate, and governmental sources
• Work from an existing development plan to grow membership and income; and work with internal and external stakeholders on important institutional fundraisers, including an annual benefit celebration
• Drive a major gifts program — prospect, cultivate, and close
• Lead corporate membership pursuits and steward key relationships
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board on solicitations

Run the Annual Benefit

• Lead the benefit committee and event consultant to produce our signature fundraiser
• Balance fundraising targets with memorable donor experiences

Grow Membership & Communications

• Manage the Communications Associate and Membership Assistant
• Develop strategies to reach new and diverse audiences across the region
• Keep all channels — email, social, web, print — cohesive and compelling

Manage Grants & Finances

• Oversee grant relationships and work with our consulting grant writer
• Track revenue, provide projections, and evaluate fundraising effectiveness

What You Bring Along

The successful candidate will have a proven track record as a nonprofit leader with experience in individual donor development, special events, communications and outreach, and foundation and corporate fund development. He/she/they will have a passion for the essential role the Athenaeum plays in San Diego’s cultural landscape.

• 5+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience
• Proven track record in raising funds from foundations, corporations and individuals
• A skilled solicitor — strategic, creative, and confident asking for gifts
• An exceptional relationship builder and communicator in every format
• A collaborative manager who brings out the best in a small team
• Genuinely curious about equity, diversity, and building broader community ties
• This position requires US Citizenship
• Preferred: Experience with Raiser’s Edge and working for arts/culture organizations

What We Offer

• $75,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience; Full time (exempt)
• Employer-sponsored healthcare and voluntary benefits
• Generous vacation + 13 paid holidays
• 403(b) with match after one year
• Flexible work environment
• Paid parking in downtown La Jolla
• Full family membership + free admission to all Athenaeum programs

We Look Forward to Meeting You!

Start date: As soon as possible. Please submit your cover letter and resume to Christie Mitchell, Executive Director, at careers@ljathenaeum.org

We Take Care of Our People

The Athenaeum is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We value and celebrate

diversity, believing that every employee matters and should be respected and heard. We are proud

to be an equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, committed to providing

employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status,

domestic partner status, age, national origin, or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical

condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, citizenship, military, or Veteran status. For individuals with

disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact careers@ljathenaeum.org

• $75,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience; Full time (exempt)
• Employer-sponsored healthcare and voluntary benefits
• Generous vacation + 13 paid holidays
• 403(b) with match after one year
• Flexible work environment
• Paid parking in downtown La Jolla
• Full family membership + free admission to all Athenaeum programs