Description
Director of Institutional Giving
Boston Arts Academy Foundation
9 Lansdowne Street, Suite 2, Boston, MA 02215
Full-Time, Exempt | Hybrid (4 days onsite, 1 remote)
Shape the Future of Arts Education in Boston
The Boston Arts Academy Foundation (Foundation) is on a mission to ensure that Boston’s talented young artists—regardless of background—have access to an exceptional, arts-intensive, college-preparatory education. The Foundation supports Boston Arts Academy, the city and Commonwealth’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. Each year, the Foundation augments the Boston Public Schools’ allocation and helps to fund the full cost of the school’s model to make that vision possible.
In 2018, the Foundation launched Building Our Future, our first-ever comprehensive campaign, following the news that the City of Boston and the Commonwealth would fund a new, state-of-the-art school building at 174 Ipswich Street. This campaign raised the school’s visibility and supported the sustainability of this unique educational model.
On June 30, 2025, the Foundation completed the 7-year, $35 million campaign for the school, exceeding the campaign goal by $1 million. We anticipate launching a second comprehensive campaign within the next year.
Now we’re seeking a driven, strategic, and relationship-focused Director of Institutional Giving to lead the charge in generating more than $1.5 million in annual revenue. If you thrive on building meaningful relationships and leading institutional giving programs while seeing the tangible impact of your work, this role offers both challenge and purpose.
What You’ll Do
As Director of Institutional Giving, you’ll manage and evolve a comprehensive institutional giving program in partnership with the Foundation’s President and CEO and the Chief Advancement and Communications Officer. Your success will fuel the Foundation’s mission and broaden our base of philanthropic support.
Key Responsibilities:
Revenue Generation
- Generate at least $1.5 million in institutional giving revenue annually.
- Contribute to the Foundation’s broader $6 million+ annual fundraising goal.
- Lead and execute a comprehensive institutional giving program to broaden the Foundation’s philanthropic support.
- Manage the full grant lifecycle, from research to grant applications, and stewardship to reporting, to meet or exceed annual goals.
- Serve as lead writer and project manager for the Foundation’s Annual Gratitude Report.
- Support Foundation special events as a member of the Advancement team, as requested.
Donor Engagement Pipeline Growth
- Build and manage a robust portfolio of funders and prospects.
- Strengthen funder retention, upgrades, and re-engagement strategies.
- Identify and cultivate high-potential foundation partners.
Data-Driven Fundraising
- Leverage data to inform strategy and improve outcomes.
- Manage the grants calendar to meet or exceed annual goals and track all activity in Raiser's Edge.
- Build and manage a robust portfolio of funders and prospects.
- Generate reports and insights to guide decision-making.
Prospect Research
- Continuously identify new funding opportunities and donor prospects.
- Prioritize outreach efforts based on impact and likelihood of support.
What You Bring
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience
- Proven experience with securing 5-, 6-, and 7-figure grants
- Experience collaborating with senior leadership
- Experience managing funding relationships and meeting revenue targets
- Adept at crafting clear, compelling, and persuasive proposals and communications
- Effective communication, organization, and time management skills
- Ability to work independently and juggle multiple priorities
Preferred Experience:
- Experience with leading institutional giving within educational or nonprofit development
- Experience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge
Skills That Set You Apart
- Results-driven mindset with strong accountability
- Natural relationship-builder with donors and partners
- Strategic thinker with hands-on execution skills
- Persistence, initiative, and sound professional judgment
Reporting Structure
Reports to: Chief Advancement and Communications Officer
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $90,000 – $110,000 (commensurate with experience)
Performance-based Bonus: Up to 10% based on achievement of fundraising goals
Benefits include:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan participation
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities
Why This Role Matters
This isn’t just a fundraising job, it’s a chance to directly support the next generation of artists, performers, and creative leaders. Your work will help sustain a school where talent meets opportunity, and where students’ artistic voices are nurtured alongside academic excellence.
If you’re ready to lead with purpose and deliver real impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please send us your resume and cover letter.
More about Boston Arts Academy Foundation
Boston Arts Academy Foundation (the Foundation) is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 1999 to raise essential funds for Boston Arts Academy, the city and Commonwealth’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. Each year, the Foundation augments the Boston Public Schools’ allocation to support the full cost of an arts-intensive and college preparatory education. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that has fiduciary oversight over the Foundation’s assets.
About the School
Boston Arts Academy (BAA) is the city and Commonwealth’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. Established in 1998 as a pilot school within Boston Public Schools, BAA prepares a diverse community of artists-scholars-global citizens to be successful in their college or professional careers and to be engaged members of a democratic society. In September 2022, the school relocated to a brand-new, state-of-the-art building in the Fenway neighborhood.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement
The Boston Arts Academy Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or ay other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Requirements
What You Bring
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience
- Proven experience with securing 5-, 6-, and 7-figure grants
- Experience collaborating with senior leadership
- Experience managing funding relationships and meeting revenue targets
- Adept at crafting clear, compelling, and persuasive proposals and communications
- Effective communication, organization, and time management skills
- Ability to work independently and juggle multiple priorities
