Baltimore School for the Arts, Foundation Director

The Baltimore School for the Arts Foundation is the fundraising partner of the Baltimore School for the Arts. The Foundation is a 501c(3) organization that works closely with the community to fund the arts, academic, and community initiatives that make Baltimore School for the Arts one of the top five public arts high schools in the country.

Founded in 1979, Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) provides pre-professional arts training and a rigorous college-prep curriculum to Baltimore-area students. It is “Where the Arts Change Kids’ Lives.” BSA seeks to prepare the next generation of the creative workforce by providing cutting-edge arts and academic training to 430+ high school students. The school also provides after-school arts instruction to 600+ Baltimore City students in the 2nd-8th grade through its TWIGS program and serves the greater community through its community outreach programs. A Baltimore arts institution, BSA is a dynamic environment where students pursue their artistic passions in the disciplines of dance, film and visual storytelling, music, stage design and production, theater, and the visual arts while receiving a rigorous academic education.

BSA is part of the Baltimore City Public School System, though it has been granted certain autonomies, including a student admissions process that relies upon auditions in artistic disciplines. BSA alumni can be seen on Broadway and television, in films, in major galleries, and in dance companies around the world. Others can be found analyzing stocks on Wall Street, working in well-respected hospitals, running their own start-ups, and leading local social and civic organizations driving change in the Baltimore community. 

To learn more about Baltimore School for the Arts and the Foundation, please visit https://www.bsfa.org/.

OPPORTUNITY 

The Director will partner with the BSA Executive Director, Foundation employees, and the BSA and Foundation Boards to develop and enhance relationships with external stakeholders and philanthropic donors to ensure that BSA has the funding to continue to thrive artistically, financially, and culturally. The Director will also lead the efforts to maintain and enhance BSA’s visibility and reputation as a premier arts high school, serving students from diverse communities throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area. The Director will also collaborate closely with the BSA Executive Director in providing advice, counsel, and support to BSA, specifically as it pertains to the Foundation’s philanthropic giving strategies and initiatives.  

The Director will report to the BSA Foundation Board and will work in close collaboration with the Executive Director of BSA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead fundraising for BSA in partnership with the Foundation Board, the BSA Board of Trustees, Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) leadership, and individual, governmental, and corporate donors to secure and allocate the resources necessary for BSA to continue to support the depth, breadth and quality of BSA’s artistic and academic programs.
• Develop and lead the implementation of fundraising strategies to achieve/exceed fundraising goals across multiple priorities, including the annual fund, endowment campaigns, capital campaigns, planned gifts, and event fundraising. These goals and priorities will be reviewed and set each year with the input of the BSA Executive Director and the Foundation and BSA Boards of Trustees.
• Carry and amplify the voice of BSA to and in the broader community, connecting personally and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders such as current and prospective board members, funders,  external partners, and other supporters.
• Provide leadership and oversight of the BSA Foundation’s core full-time and part-time employees, including hiring, performance reviews, HR management, employee development, employee engagement, and policy and procedure implementation.  
• Monitor and support the Foundation’s budget by acting as a good steward and managing expenses strategically. 
• Collaborate across BSA and external organizations to consistently increase BSA’s visibility and strategize to  establish and enhance mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Manage relationships with community organizations, cultural institutions, and corporate partners.
• Oversee the successful execution of major BSA fundraising events including Expressions (our annual gala fundraiser) and all major donor  engagement opportunities. 
• Develop and participate in the cultivation of relationships with current and prospective board members. 
• Partner closely with the Boards of the Foundation and BSA by providing regular reports on fundraising goals and opportunities for Board engagement with fundraising initiatives.
• Support the vision of and collaborate closely with the BSA Executive Director and serve as an advisor.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or corporate philanthropy, preferably in the arts and/or education space.

• Understanding of and commitment to BSA’s mission and the communities it serves; a passion for arts education.
• Demonstrated success in setting and achieving fundraising goals, including expansion and diversification of donor base.
• Experience leading, guiding, and supporting a team of development professionals.
• Depth of knowledge of fundraising and giving strategies and background in building strong connections to individual, corporate, and foundation donors and other leaders in the philanthropic community. 
• Skilled in strategic planning, project management, donor analytics, and outcome tracking; Ability to focus on big picture priorities while not losing sight of the details.  
• Dynamic personality and versatile skill set; Ability to speak in a clear, compelling, and authentic manner about the school’s goals and priorities.  
• Ability to build and maintain high-functioning systems and processes across a complex, multi-site organization.  
• Familiar with fundraising and comfortable with building strong connections to individual donors,  foundation leaders and others in the local philanthropic community.  
• Strategic ability to navigate complex organizational and board relationships internally as well as external relationships and community partnerships.

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $125,000-$150,000 and a robust benefits package. More details can be provided upon request.

The Baltimore School for the Arts actively strives to be a diverse and inclusive community in its educational, admission, and employment practices. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, or any other characteristic. We seek candidates who demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community members; have an ability to work flexibly, independently, and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with individuals from a diverse set of backgrounds; and have a capacity to serve as a model of openness, generosity, and acceptance.