Director of Institutional Giving

Job Description

Job Description

Organization Overview 

The School of American Ballet (SAB) at Lincoln Center, founded by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, is the preeminent ballet school in the country. Our mission is to train professional dancers for careers in classical ballet. We provide the resources for a diverse pool of students to train at the highest level – with 15-25 a year going on to dance for New York City Ballet, our official but independent ballet company, and other major ballet companies worldwide. SAB has a far-reaching impact on the art form and enriches the lives of each student who comes through its doors, over 800 annually, ages 6 to 18. SAB has approximately 90 part- and full-time employees and an operating budget of $17 million. In the 2025-2026 school year, administrative employees are expected to work in person 4 days per week and may telecommute one day per work week. 

Position Overview 

The School of American Ballet (SAB) seeks a Director of Institutional Giving to lead and expand its robust institutional giving program, comprised of foundation, government, and corporate foundation giving components. As a member of the School’s development staff, the Director of Institutional Giving will be responsible for raising over $1.5 million annually, plus additional capital and endowment fundraising as needed. This position leads and grows the School's institutional fundraising and is a leader and resource for department-wide staff and volunteers. The Director of Institutional Giving directly supervises and mentors one staff member.  This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Chief Development and Marketing Officer.  

Key Responsibilities 

Institutional Giving 

• Manage and expand the School’s institutional giving strategy to secure more than $1.5 million, with gifts ranging from $1,000 to $250,000+.  

• Build and manage relationships with 40+ foundations, corporate, and government donors to ensure strong engagement with SAB and steward lasting support.  

• Identify and strategically cultivate institutional prospects; implement tailored engagement strategies; solicit and secure gifts personally and as part of a team; and steward donors to maintain and strengthen long-term relationships.  

• Work closely with SAB-wide staff to conceive of and submit persuasive, well-written, and applicable proposals and reports, with accompanying budgets and support materials, on behalf of student life programming, the scholarship fund, and other priority initiatives.  

• Oversee a comprehensive donor communication strategy, ensuring timely and high-quality engagement through acknowledgement letters, written correspondence, invitations, mailings, visits, calls, newsletters, and e-blasts.  

• Develop strong relationships with Board members and coworkers; engage the Board’s Development Committee in cultivating and stewarding institutional donors; and serve as a resource to the Board and senior leadership team in their fundraising efforts.  

• Guide prospect solicitation and donor stewardship efforts by the Executive Director and Board through the preparation of research, talking points, email drafts, and meeting briefings.  

• Partner on the planning, execution, and fundraising for future capital and endowment campaigns.  

Supervision 

• Mentor, train, and supervise staff in Institutional Giving to ensure that departmental goals and needs are being met, and that staff are continually developing in their roles.  

• Oversee the work conducted on behalf of Institutional Giving by department staff and volunteers.  

• Supervise the maintenance of tracking systems, Institutional Giving mailing lists, and electronic and physical donor records.  

• Manage Institutional Giving’s expense budget.  

Requirements

Qualifications 

• 5+ years of demonstrated success in institutional giving; knowledge of New York area funders.  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; fluency in budgeting and data analysis; ability to manage time and projects in a fast-paced environment.  

• Proven track record of securing institutional gifts at the $100,000+ level.  

• Polished and professional demeanor, with the ability to speak on behalf of the School at events.  

• Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or a similar donor database.  

• Tasks might include some lifting, including heavy items that require use of carts.  

• Evening and weekend hours required for donor events.  

Benefits

SAB offers a superior benefit package, including full health benefits, four weeks of vacation (plus two holiday weeks in December), and generous retirement savings benefits. 

The School of American Ballet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. 

The annual salary range is $100,000-$112,000.