Gift Officer (Corporate Partnerships)

The Walker Art Center empowers people to experience the transformative possibilities of the art and ideas of our time and to imagine the world in new ways. In our over 125-year history, we have become one of the most celebrated art museums in the country and we are known for our innovative presentations and acclaimed collections of contemporary art across the spectrum of the visual, performing, and media arts.

Reporting to the Director of Major Giving and Institutional Relations, the Gift Officer (Corporate Partnerships) is a collaborative position on the Development and Membership team. This Gift Officer position will develop and execute fundraising strategies to build a strong prospect pipeline and expand meaningful engagement with corporate partners, including corporate members, foundations, sponsors, and social responsibility teams. Primary responsibilities include the identification/qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate donors, sponsors, and prospects. The Gift Officer will build and manage a portfolio of corporate partners and prospects; make direct asks to secure funding for the Walker; identify opportunities for in-kind contributions; manage and enhance the Walker’s Corporate Partners Program; serve as the lead for event sponsorships; create compelling materials, proposals, agreements, and reports; expand opportunities for corporate employee engagement; and engage appropriate staff, vendors, partners, and volunteers to advance fundraising strategies. Excellent fundraising/sales, negotiation, communication, interpersonal, and writing skills are required in order to serve as a key representative of the Walker with corporate donors and prospects, work effectively with cross-departmental teams, and persuasively convey the Walker’s mission, programs, and impact. 

WHAT YOU GET TO DO 

Portfolio Management: Corporate Partners and Prospects

• Manage an assigned portfolio of corporate partners and prospects (60-85+), with annual contributions ranging from $5,000 to $100,000+.
• Actively participate in fundraising strategy meetings to identify prospective corporate donors and opportunities for support, align fundraising activities with the Walker’s priorities, and strategize fundraising approaches.
• Build relationships with corporate executives and decision-makers and expand the corporate partner pipeline; identify, research, and qualify prospects through tailored outreach, communications, and engagement.
• Secure corporate contributions to meet ambitious fundraising goals in support of the Walker’s annual operations, exhibitions, programs, events, special projects, strategic priorities, and campaigns.
• Conduct one-to-one meetings and communications to qualify, cultivate, solicit, retain, upgrade, engage, and steward corporate partners, and to strengthen corporate relationships and support for the long-term.
• Create compelling presentations, pitch decks, and tailored proposals.
• Manage direct solicitations and negotiations.
• Draft and execute agreements to meet corporate partner needs, expand corporate engagement, and increase retention rates.
• Ensure agreements and stewardship plans are executed to the highest standards, including benefits fulfillment and tracking, recognition activities, and reporting.
• Grow and manage donor relationships through ongoing communication, anticipation of donors’ needs, and full understanding of benefits and opportunities.
• Engage trustees and committee members to identify prospective corporate partner connections and engagement opportunities.
• Facilitate opportunities to engage Walker leaders, curators, and staff; Board of Trustees; and committee chairs and members in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate partners, including participation in events, tours, and site visits.
• Refer possible prospects for individual giving and/or board and committee opportunities.
• Ensure all donor information, strategies, and initiatives are recorded in the Walker’s database (Tessitura), including actions, deadlines, contact reports, and follow-up activities.
• Follow best practices in donor development and moves management.
• Communicate on activities and provide timely and accurate progress reports.

Program Management: Corporate Membership and Sponsorship

• Manage the Walker’s Corporate Partners Program; develop and execute annual strategies for engaging corporate donors and prospects through memberships (Corporate Annual Fund), foundation grants, sponsorships, in-kind contributions, and employee matching gifts.

• Review and refresh the Corporate Partners Program, with a focus on growth to build the pipeline, expand meaningful corporate engagement, and me