Development Associate position at Clyfford Still Museum

Barbara Russell

About the Clyfford Still Museum

Home to one of the world’s most intact public collections of any major artist, the Clyfford Still Museum offers nine beautiful galleries of Still’s art, historic photos, objects and letters from the Clyfford Still Archives, interactive features, tranquil outdoor terraces, views into storage and conservation areas, a hands-on art creation studio, shopping, exciting programs and events, and more. Considered one of the most important painters of the 20th century, Clyfford Still (1904–1980) was among the first generation of Abstract Expressionist artists. The Clyfford Still Museum collection represents more than 93 percent of the artist’s lifetime output, including approximately 3,125 works created between 1920 and 1980, as well as his complete archives.

The Clyfford Still Museum is located in the heart of Denver’s Golden Triangle Creative District, west of the Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Building. The two-story, 28,500-square-foot building was designed by Brad Cloepfil of Allied Works Architecture specifically to display Clyfford Still’s work.

The Museum stewards a collection of artworks that belong to the City and County of Denver—the people of Denver. This civic identity animates our belief that everyone can find meaningful connections with our collection regardless of background, level of education, or art experience.

Primary Objective

The Clyfford Still Museum is offering a growth opportunity for a development professional to carve out a new role that will further CSM’s impact and ensure long-term sustainability.

The Development Associate will manage the Museum’s annual fund, steward a portfolio of donors, and also be responsible for donor event management and cultivation efforts. The Development Associate will engage with all prospective and current donors across all channels and program areas.

The Development Associate will report to and support the Development Director in crafting key fundraising strategies related to Museum goals and partner on strategic design, tactical implementation, and fundraising. In addition, the Development Associate is responsible for working with leadership to build strong individual donor strategies. Over time, the Development Associate will grow a portfolio of major gift prospects and be responsible for moving them through the development process to solicitation.

Principal Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of donors to cultivate and solicit gifts as directed by the Director of Development
• Be responsible for executing all donor-focused special events, with support from other Development team members
• Work closely with other members of the Development team to ensure the success of the Museum’s membership and annual giving programs
• Ensure all donors to CSM are receiving appropriate stewardship
• Manage all donor data entry, including gift processing, and acknowledgments
• Manage donor communications including the crafting of messaging, management of distribution channels (email, text, mail), and list segmentation
• Participate in establishing annual contributed revenue and expense budgets and monitor progress toward goals
• Generate analytical reports to measure the effectiveness of services, benefits, and policies relating to the retention and acquisition of donors
• Assist with writing and/or review of grant proposals and reports as needed
• Represent the development department on the internal Altru data management team

Education, Job Qualifications, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred; associate degree accepted. Applicants with closely related work experience, rather than a higher education degree, will also be considered
• minimum 2-4 years of successful nonprofit development or related experience
• excellent writing and interpersonal skills
• experience planning and executing events for up to 200 guests, including the management of outside contractors (catering, entertainment, etc.)
• strong ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work well under pressure to meet multiple competing deadlines
• a team player who works collaboratively across the department and institution
• must enjoy working with the public and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in customer service
• excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel. PowerPoint)
• experience with Altru database or similar fundraising software is important
• Volunteer management experience preferred
• Grant writing and management experience a plus
• Knowledge of Denver philanthropic community a plus

Special Considerations (Work Environment, Schedule, Required Travel, etc.)

• Ability to maintain the highest degree of professionalism, confidentiality, discretion is a requirement
• 35 hours/week; some evening hours will be required
• Hybrid work environment, with some onsite required
• Works in a clean, comfortable environment with some noise and distractions

Physical Factors

• Work is mostly sedentary or light work; however, the ability to lift or move 5- 45 pounds is occasionally required to carry packages and office supplies
• Talking and Hearing: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities which demand detailed or important instructions spoken to others or recorded by listening accurately and/or quickly
• May require some bending, stooping, pushing, puling and climbing
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer systems
• Vision to read reports and other written material

Diversity and Inclusion - The Clyfford Still Museum is committed to building a diverse staff to serve the needs of our visitors. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Non-Discrimination Statement - The Clyfford Still Museum bases its employment decisions on job- related qualifications and ability to perform a job, and therefore prohibits (a) making employment decisions or basing terms and conditions of employment, and (b) making contracting, admissions or facility use decisions or basing terms and conditions of contract or facility use on the basis of a person’s: race, creed, color, religion, sex, age 40 and over, height, weight, national origin, ancestry or ethnicity, sexual orientation, transgender status or gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or disability, as well as any other basis now or in the future protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. The Museum follows this policy in all terms and conditions of employment including, without limitation, recruitment, hiring, testing, training, certification, opportunities for advancement, promotions, demotions, terminations, performance evaluations, compensation, and leaves. The Museum expressly prohibits retaliation against anyone who brings a complaint of discrimination or who assists the Museum in the investigation of a complaint of discrimination.

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024

Start Date: ASAP

Classification status: exempt

Annual or Hourly Compensation Range: $63,000 - $67,000

Benefits: Full Benefits package

Reports to: Director of Development

Please send a cover letter, resume and references to hr@clyffordstillmuseum.org. Subject: Development Associate.