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The Los Angeles Visual Arts Coalition (LAVA) seeks an experienced fundraising consultant to develop, strategize, and then lead a multiyear fundraising campaign with an annual goal of $3 million dollars minimum. Funds raised will be directed toward ensuring healthcare coverage for employees of all member organizations; capacity building for shared funds to be used for professional development for members; and funds distributed to member organizations for sustainability.
This fundraising goal is a direct expression of the LAVA Coalition’s core values: to offer mutual support to our members, small to mid-sized nonprofit visual arts organizations in Los Angeles, in order to develop a healthy, vibrant arts sector. LAVA – which has raised nearly $2 million since its founding in 2020 – is deeply committed to fundraising to help each member organization thrive, to reverse a culture of scarcity endemic to the arts, and to support member organizations in creating healthy and supportive workplace environments. A majority of the funds raised will support healthcare for employees, as we have embedded in our mission a commitment to sustain the health and wellness of the staff of member organizations, so they can deliver on their respective missions.
The fundraising consultant is a freelance position and can be an individual consultant or a firm. The consultant will work closely with LAVA’s members, in particular the Fundraising Committee, to develop fundraising strategies that reflect the group’s values and mission. The ideal candidate will share a passion for LAVA’s mission, vision, and goals and be committed to helping LAVA steer towards a sustainable, lasting future. The consultant must have leadership experience in the field of non-profit fundraising and a proven track record of success in securing major contributions from a diversity of sources, including individual donors, foundations, and corporations. They would bring extensive knowledge of, and connections to, the Los Angeles and national cultural philanthropic community.
Responsibilities
The fundraising consultant is a freelance position and can be an individual consultant or a firm.
The consultant will work closely with LAVA’s members, in particular the Fundraising Committee, to develop fundraising strategies that reflect the group’s values and mission. The ideal candidate will share a passion for LAVA’s mission, vision, and goals and be committed to helping LAVA steer towards a sustainable, lasting future.
The consultant must have leadership experience in the field of non-profit fundraising and a proven track record of success in securing major contributions from a diversity of sources, including individual donors, foundations, and corporations. They would bring extensive knowledge of, and connections to, the Los Angeles and national cultural philanthropic community.
Experience in arts and culture non-profit fundraising, developing capital campaigns, and securing multi-year support for organizations are a plus. The ideal candidate will bring a deep knowledge of the national non-profit funding landscape, extending the reach of LAVA’s fundraising beyond the individuals and foundations already in our network.
The best candidate will serve as an effective ambassador for the innovative work of the Coalition, working closely with the Fundraising Committee to advocate for our mission with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and foundations alike. The consultant will be able to identify and build relationships with donors who align with LAVA’s values and would be keen to make major gifts.
They will also be expected to facilitate and manage the grants process with LAVA members; maintain an annual grants calendar and database; submit applications and complete final reports. The contractor can engage a grants writer or other support staff to facilitate their work, as needed. The ideal candidate will be a skilled researcher and strategic communicator, helping LAVA extend its visibility and appeal to donors beyond its current scope.
Compensation: TBD based on agreement between consultant and LAVA Coalition.
Time Range: Minimum of 2 years. TBD based on agreement between consultant and LAVA Coalition.
Requirements
Experience in arts and culture non-profit fundraising, developing capital campaigns, and securing multi-year support for organizations are a plus. The ideal candidate will bring a deep knowledge of the national non-profit funding landscape, extending the reach of LAVA’s fundraising beyond the individuals and foundations already in our network. The best candidate will serve as an effective ambassador for the innovative work of the Coalition, working closely with the Fundraising Committee to advocate for our mission with high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and foundations alike. The consultant will be able to identify and build relationships with donors who align with LAVA’s values and would be keen to make major gifts.
They will also be expected to facilitate and manage the grants process with LAVA members; maintain an annual grants calendar and database; submit applications and complete final reports. The contractor can engage a grants writer or other support staff to facilitate their work, as needed. The ideal candidate will be a skilled researcher and strategic communicator, helping LAVA extend its visibility and appeal to donors beyond its current scope.
Responsibilities/Skills:
The fundraising consultant would be primarily responsible for the following duties, working in partnership with and reporting to the LAVA Fundraising Committee, and would have the following skills:
Strong interest in contemporary visual arts and supporting LAVA’s work.
Identify and approach potential sponsors, donors, and grantors.
Conduct research and develop a funding strategy and pipeline.
Develop a list of top foundation and corporate prospects at the local and national level.
Manage and track all donor information and develop a stewardship program aimed at
cultivating deeper ties with donors.
- Oversee stewardship by developing and maintaining relationships with existing and
future LAVA donors.
- Create and maintain a donor database. Access to high net-worth databases and
subscriptions to capacity research tools is also appreciated.
Oversee writing of all grants applications and reports.
Maintain grant deadline calendar and master list of institutional funding credit lines.
Attend Fundraising Committee meetings monthly and provide regular updates to be shared with the full Coalition.
Develop relationships, focused on knowledge and resource sharing, with LAVA members. Attend full Coalition meetings periodically to lead professional development workshops on fundraising strategy and to share reports on work to date.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to effectively and professionally represent LAVA to potential donors.
Extensive knowledge of fundraising principles and strategies that span capital annual giving to corporate giving to endowment campaigns.
Creative thinker with an interest in exploring new opportunities and untapped sources of support.
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint (or other presentation software), Photoshop, and Acrobat and ability to present professionally designed and compelling fundraising decks and reports.
Fundraising certification is current with the State of California.