2 South Pack Square | 828.253.3227 | ashevilleart.org PO Box 1717 | Asheville, NC 28802 -1717 Donor Relations Manager Octobe r 2025 Organization The Asheville Art Museum, established in 1948 by artists, engages, enlightens, and inspires individuals and enriches community through dynamic experiences developed for all ages that interpret its Collection and exhibitions of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Anchoring the center of lively downtown Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Museum serves residents of the Southeast and Western North Carolina region, as well as visitors from around the country and the world. Position Description The Donor Relations Manager develops and executes the Museum’s fundraising strategies in close partnership with the Executive Director. This role oversees Trustee engagement, major gifts, endowment, and planned giving programs, while also supporting the broader efforts of the Externa l Affairs Department. The Donor Relations Manager collaborates with team members including the Grants Manager, Communications Manager , and External Affairs team members. This position reports to the Executive Director. Primary Responsibilities/ Essential Functions • Establishes fundraising objectives th at support the Museum’s Vision and Mission . • Create s and implement s annual fundraising and personalized engagement plan that includes metrics for contributed income and donor participation in collaboration with the Executive Director and senior leadership, • Advance s major endowment campaign currently underway, establish es timelines, and identif ies, research es, and solicit s individual, government, and foundation prospects. • Develop s formal planned giving program including structure, timeline, documents, and regulations. • Work s with staff and Trustees to identify, cultivate, and steward major gift donors ; track s donor contracts, gift solicitations, assignments, and funding process. • Maintain s accurate d onor data and process es regular reports for Trustee s and senior leadership. • Ensure s special requests are recorded and accomp lished. • Develop s and manage s committees and related staff; develop s and implements specialized, creative, advancement events and campaigns. • Work s closely with Executive Director to evaluate previous campaign donors and work s to convert to annual giving utilizing major gifts, annual campaigns, endowment campaigns, capital campaigns , and planned giving methods. • Research es and analyzes major gift prospects and donors; manage s and solicits a portfolio of prospects and donors; create s personalized engagement, stewardship, and giving plans for current and prospective donors. • Invest s necessary time and energy into building relationships with donors to understand donor goals and align with Museum’s Mission and Vision. 2 South Pack Square | 828.253.3227 | ashevilleart.org PO Box 1717 | Asheville, NC 28802 -1717 • Offer s strategy council to the Executive Director, Trustees, and committee members including preparation of donor profiles, talking points, and presentation materials . Assist s with solicitations. • Build s relationships with financial planners, trusts, and estate professionals to disperse Museum information and giving opportunities with their clients. • Review s and revise s communication materials, donor benefits, giving systems, and tools. • Evaluate s and participate s in development of capital campaigns to support off -site art storage facility. • Advocate s for art philanthropy and stay s abreast of gift planning and current tax laws and provide s training to staff and Trustees on planned g ift vehicles and solicitation strategies. • Regularly report s on metrics involving major gift giving. • Collaborates with and supports External Affairs staff on corporate membership and sponsorship solicitations; provides direct mentorship to the External Events and Fundraising Associate. • Interact s with the arts community and civic bodies as an advocate for the arts and the Museum. • Performs o ther duties as assigned. Special Requirements & Compensation This year round, full -time position is eligible for full benefits and requires some after -hours participation in Museum events, exhibitions, openings, lectures, etc. Annual compensation includes a salary of $ 65,000 - $75,000 depending on experience plus paid time off, health insurance, and retirement benefits after required probationary period. The incumbent should be authorized to work in the United States, be able to navigate the Museum’s building and grounds, and travel periodically for meetings or Mus eum business. Education/ Experience The ideal candidate will have 5+ years’ experience in donor relations and advancement including demonstrated track record of identifying and engaging donors in creative and impactful ways ; be a flexible leader and astute manager with a collaborative spirit ; strong research, writing, and editing ability ; intimate understanding of traditional and emerging fundraising strategies and goals ; and an interest in building authentic and trusting relationships with donors . Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills including public speaking highly desirable. The incumbent must be able to work independently, collaboratively, a nd effectively in a fast -paced, creative environment. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to careers@ashevilleart.org with “ Donor Relations Manager ” and your name in the subject line. Equal Employment Opportunity The Asheville Art Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, g enetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, place ment, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
