WHO WE ARE:
SkyART is a permanent fixture in the vibrant cultural landscapes of Chicago’s South and West Side communities. Founded in 2001 with a mission to provide youth with an accessible, safe place to participate in quality visual arts programs at no cost, SkyART continues to fulfill its mission by reaching over 3,000 young people a year through our three pillar programs: SkyWAY, Project 3rd Space and Project Impact. Driving our mission is a deep understanding of the transformative power of art and its capacity to enhance intellectual, emotional and social development. SkyART acts as a foundation from which creativity grows and individuals flourish. Participants are invited into a world of imaginative possibilities and connections that go beyond the individual, to positively impact all of the communities where we work and the city as a whole.
WHO WE SERVE:
The communities where SkyART works and the young people we serve exemplify the resilience and the beautiful diversity of our city. Our free programs are open and accessible to youth from communities that have been impacted by historic marginalization, generational trauma and systemic racism, and who may lack access to cultural programming that affirms their identity and places them front and center as creators of their own futures. The majority of Black and Brown youth we serve are impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which can negatively impact their ability to be successful in relationships, school, higher education or the workplace. Many are directly impacted by violence, incarceration and/or the foster care system. For all these reasons, SkyART prioritizes the wellbeing and healing of our participants using art as a platform for self exploration, reflection and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
WHAT WE DO:
Founded by an Art Therapist, SkyART uses art to communicate, to connect and to heal. Through interdisciplinary, process-based projects, skill-building workshops and large-scale collaborations, SkyART encourages critical thinking and inspires creative expression for youth ages 7 to 24. In our studios youth work collaboratively with therapists or teaching artists in an atmosphere of mutual esteem and shared curiosity. SkyART has provided limited art therapy for our entire 20-year history. Building on that experience, during the initial phases of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, we created Project Impact to directly respond to the mental health needs of our young people with individual and group art therapy. We believe and research shows that art making facilitated by a trained therapist can play an instrumental role in improving wellbeing, connection, self-esteem and empathy for others.
HOW YOU CONTRIBUTE:
With creativity and expression at the center of everything we do, the The Institutional Giving Manager identifies, develops and stewards relationships and subsequent fundraising activities with corporations, government agencies, foundations, and other funding institutions. The Institutional Giving Manager works with the Director of Development, program staff to create, lead, implement and evaluate successful fundraising strategies from institutional funders. The Manager, working with a development staff of five, thinks creatively to develop new and innovative ways to fundraise. The Manager is committed to the goals of SkyART and can articulate the vision and mission of the organization through grant applications, reports and speaking engagements.
JOB DUTIES:
Leadership and Strategy
Represent SkyART internally and externally to raise the agency’s profile and create fundraising opportunities.
Actively promote the agency’s mission, vision and values.
Participate in strategic and annual work planning.
Stay abreast of relevant changes in the philanthropic sector and communicate to senior staff.
Institutional Giving
Co-create long-term growth strategies for institutional giving.
Keep abreast of programmatic needs and new program developments and outcomes by attending program meetings and communicating regularly with program staff.
Co-create and monitor institutional revenue projections and goals and report progress.
Manage the calendar of submissions to ensure timely completion of proposals and reports.
Write and edit grants, reports and supporting documentation. Assign tasks as needed. Supervise other staff preparing content for proposals and/or reports. Monitor progress of open grants.
Review financial statements, budgets and reports; work with DOD and operations staff to ensure external documents to funders are accurate and meet set requirements.
Identify, cultivate and steward relationships with appropriate staff at funding institutions.
Conduct and/or delegate foundation and corporate research; manage a portfolio of that research to identify new funding opportunities.
Conduct government RFP reviews to identify new funding opportunities.
Work closely with leadership to engage with Board members and other individuals who may have access and contacts with foundation and corporations.
Coordinate site visits and facilitate and participate as needed.
Collect, maintain and analyze evaluative and anecdotal data from staff, other professionals and sources, policy makers, etc. to assist with solicitation.
Ensure compliance with grant requirements including managing challenge/matching grants.
Work with the Director of Development and Individual Giving Manager to cultivate a corporate giving portfolio.
Assist with planning and day-of logistics of fundraising events.
Organize sponsor benefits and manage and track sponsorship solicitation.
Administration and other
Ensure accurate record-keeping of institutional contributions. Reconcile institutional income with finance staff.
Work with the development team to integrate consistent messaging and outreach to donor segments via the web, social media and e-newsletters.
Uphold best practices in data management and donor tracking. Attend and actively participate in required educational programs and staff meetings.
Protect the organization’s value by keeping information confidential.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
YOUR BACKGROUND INCLUDES:
A bachelor’s degree is required, with demonstrated pursuit of continuing education in the philanthropic sector.
A membership in AFP is an asset.
Minimum three years of experience in development, including fundraising research, writing, editorial support and messaging of fundraising requests.
Overall understanding and knowledge of the philanthropic community and funding cycles strongly preferred.
Proven track record in non-profit fundraising (the arts preferred); demonstrated ability to successfully raise funds, make presentations, prepare foundation requests.
Previous supervision experience was helpful.
Computer skills including familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, CRM database and social media. Experience with Little Green Light or similar fundraising software is a plus.
YOUR SKILLS INCLUDE:
Ability to organize and manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously.
Proven ability to meet deadlines.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Working independently, as well as collaborating with colleagues, and adapting easily to changing priorities.
Ability to analyze information, read situations, and solve problems.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Generous benefit package for eligible employees includes:
-Paid time off (PTO) allowance including 10 days of vacation, five personal days, five sick days per year, eleven paid holidays and one additional day off for your birthday
-Employee retirement account with 3% contribution from SkyART
-Health Insurance benefits with minimal cost paid by employee
HOW YOU APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter with your resume by email to Developmentmanager@skyart.org with “Institutional Giving Manager” in the subject line. Do not mail or fax.