Sr. Manager of Philanthropy

Candidates should submit a cover letter demonstrating outlining qualifications and interest in the role.

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager of Philanthropy (SMP) works closely with the Associate Director of Advancement and the Deputy Director of the museum to build and execute a major gifts program at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. Serving as a senior member of the Advancement Department, this seasoned gift officer and inspiring leader is responsible for the overarching strategy to raise more than $4 million in annual operational support. In addition to personally managing a donor pool comprising 75-100 individual and corporate donors, the SMP oversees two gift officers and the Manager of Advancement Services, establishing the Directed Support and Sponsorship Team. Principal duties include defining overarching strategies for identifying, soliciting, and stewarding gifts from individual donors and corporate entities and organizing this work. The Manager of Philanthropy’s primary focus is to strategically construct and sustain myriad avenues for meaningful, productive relationships between the Museum and our donor community, ultimately contributing to the museum’s annual philanthropic revenues of $8+ million.

The Senior Manager of Philanthropy is a trusted representative of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum in local, national, and international circles. This role will have a presence at arts and culture events, in professional networks, and at community engagement opportunities (many of which take place during evenings and weekends) on behalf of the museum and to expand the network of potential donors and community partners.  

Core Responsibilities:

• Oversee and expand museum’s major giving portfolio and lead two Managers of Philanthrophy in cohesive strategy to solicit and steward donors at the above annual giving threshold of $5,000 and above. 
• Build and directly manage a portfolio capable of making five-to-seven figure gifts and planned gifts, actively adding, qualifying, and disqualifying donors. Spearhead initial outreach, make solicitations, and conceptualize appropriate stewardship. Portfolio will be comprised principally of individual donors, but may include corporate entities or family foundations, representing both existing and aspirational relationships. 
• Continually refine the existing major gifts program at the Buffalo AKG, working with Manager of Advancement Services to ensure that cultivation and solicitation of donors is coordinated and tracked in the Altru database, resulting in a multi-year pipeline of strategic and major gift solicitations. With Manager of Advancement Services, use this tool to participate in annual revenue forecasting and campaign planning.
• Oversee donor solicitation for restricted giving, multi-year sponsorships, and fundraising events. 
• Oversee individual goals and plan management of Managers of Philanthropy (2).
• Assist in the museum’s portfolio of patron travel programs.
• Play a leadership role in the management of the Advancement Committee of the Board of Directors: facilitate agenda development, assist in coordinating communications, and direct follow-up.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and strategist for one or more of the Buffalo AKG’s support councils: groups of leadership level donors who serve as ambassadors, thought leaders, and volunteer fundraisers for the museum. Councils currently include the Convergence Council, the National Council, the Founding Patrons of the Buffalo AKG Fund for Nordic Art and Culture, John J. Albright (planned giving) Society, and the Board Alumni Council.
• Ensure that planned gift opportunities are an integral part of donor conversations at the Buffalo AKG. 
• Develop individual goals for each donor in portfolio and as well as individualized plans for execution; execute on those goals according to department revenue goals and timeline.
• Participate fully in the strategy, solicitation, and execution of all AKG-produced fundraising events, including working closely with volunteer event committees and chairs.
• Serve as leader in ensuring that Advancement department, and greater Buffalo AKG, maintain superb donor relations through the timely and thoughtful solicitation and acknowledgement of major gifts and timely fulfillment of benefits.
• Structure and lead bi-weekly major gifts meetings, focused on upcoming and open proposals and spurring upcoming actions. 
• Be thoroughly knowledgeable about the history, mission, exhibitions, and programs of the Buffalo AKG and able to articulate this information to donors and prospects, aligning it appropriately with philanthropic interests and corporate goals.
• Play an active leadership role in development of a future endowment campaign estimated to launch in early 2026 in alignment with a new strategic plan. Build a deep knowledge of the case for support, strategize creative gift opportunities, and solicit gifts in the five-to-seven figure range.
• Understand all AK gift-related policies and procedures and ensure full ethical and fiscal compliance with them.
• Actively participate in community outreach efforts as needed, including on-campus activities and outside speaking engagements.
• Utilize Altru database to add and extract information about donors and prospects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills Abilities and Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum of four (4) years of successful professional fundraising OR 8+ years of comparable experience. MA, MBA, MPA, or advanced certificate in philanthropy studies, arts management, museum studies, or non-profit management preferred.

Minimimum Requirements

• Major gift fundraising experience – a proven track record of raising five to seven figure gifts. 
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively with a diverse population of donors and prospects, board members, staff, and community leaders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and listening skills, including ability to make effective presentations to individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated success in working both independently and as a team member to create and implement fundraising strategies at the major gifts level.
• Strong sense of organization, planning, and time management.
• Demonstrated discretion and excellent judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
• Motivated self-starter with ability to work independently as well as function as part of a dynamic team.
• Ability to plan, articulate, and execute fundraising plans for donor stewardship and engagement.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and evening hours when required.
• Travel required; must have a valid passport. 

            Preferred requirements

• Comfort with database management and navigation, as well as project management development.
• Knowledge of donor software programs, preferably Blackbaud products.
• Arts or cultural professional experience highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability of soliciting and stewarding five-figure gifts. 

Candidates should submit a cover letter demonstrating outlining qualifications and interest in the role.