Director of Development - Peninsula School of Art

Spano Pratt • Fish Creek, WI

90d • $85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

PenArt, a nationally respected hub for arts education and creative connection in Door County, Wisconsin, seeks an accomplished and visionary Director of Development to help advance its ambitious five-year strategic plan. Building on a strong foundation of community engagement and donor loyalty, this role will drive the next chapter of PenArt’s growth through inspired leadership in philanthropy. The Director of Development will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports PenArt’s programs, scholarships, and capital initiatives. This includes cultivating meaningful relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies, and leveraging data-driven insights through PenArt’s CRM system, Neon One, to deepen donor engagement and sustain long-term giving. This is a dynamic opportunity for a creative, strategic, and relationship-centered fundraising professional to join a collaborative team and help realize PenArt’s vision: to make art accessible, inclusive, and transformative for all who walk through its doors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Communications, Arts Administration, or related field. A master's degree in arts management, or similar is preferred.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in development or fundraising, with 3 years in a leadership capacity, ideally within the arts, education, or cultural nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated success in all areas of fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, campaigns, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, and government grants.
• Proven ability to build and sustain meaningful donor relationships and to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts at all levels.
• Proficiency with donor CRM systems (Neon One strongly preferred) and data-driven approaches to tracking and optimizing donor engagement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to inspire, educate, and connect diverse audiences to PenArt’s mission.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external partners, including marketing professionals and creative contractors, to develop compelling messaging and donor materials.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Hands-on, collegial leader with the ability to motivate staff, engage the board, and foster collaboration across teams.
• Passion for the visual arts and arts education, with a deep appreciation for their role in community vitality and cultural enrichment.

Responsibilities

• Lead PenArt’s comprehensive development program, cultivating and stewarding relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Partner with the Executive Director to identify, solicit, and secure major gifts and grants that sustain and grow PenArt’s mission-driven programs.
• Plan and implement strategic donor cultivation and engagement activities, including events and campaigns, that deepen connection and inspire philanthropy.
• Utilize PenArt’s CRM system (Neon One) to manage donor data, analyze giving trends, and strengthen fundraising outcomes through informed strategy.
• Drive annual and special fundraising initiatives that advance PenArt’s strategic priorities, from scholarships and community access to capital projects.
• Collaborate with program and finance teams to develop compelling cases for support and ensure alignment between fundraising goals and organizational needs.
• Steward grant funding and reporting processes to ensure compliance and impact storytelling that reflects PenArt’s educational and cultural contributions.
• Develop and implement creative donor recognition and stewardship practices that reflect PenArt’s spirit of gratitude, community, and artistry.
• Engage with the Board and Development Committee to strengthen their role as ambassadors and advocates in donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Build and sustain a culture of philanthropy across staff and volunteers that celebrates giving as an extension of artistic and community engagement.
• Partner with the Executive Director and senior leadership to develop and execute a long-term fundraising strategy that ensures financial sustainability and growth.
• Monitor trends in arts philanthropy to identify new opportunities for funding, collaboration, and innovation.
• Represent PenArt with professionalism and passion in donor and community settings, sharing the impact of art education and creative exploration.

Benefits

• Compensation range of $85,000 - $100,000.
• Five-day work schedule May through October, four-day work schedule November through April.
• Generous Paid Time Off.
• Paid Holidays with a paid winter break.
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
• Employee Funded Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Individual Retirement Plan (IRA).
• Professional Development.
• Relocation Support.
• Getting to live and work in beautiful Door County.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees