Overview
VBAC Mission:
The Virginia Beach Art Center offers an educational and supportive environment to inspire people of all ages and skill levels to experience, engage with and create art.
Purpose and Programs:
Virginia Beach Art Center brings visual art, local artists and the community together to experience the richness that artistic expression brings to the human condition. Our main program areas are Exhibitions, Art and Pottery Classes, Educational Programming, Artists Galleryand Community Outreach.
Description and Duties:
The Development Director will be energetic, creative, and detail-oriented to ensure various administrative duties are completed in full.
The Development Director will lead and implement all fundraising and contributed revenue strategies for the Virginia Beach Art Center. This role is responsible for building strong relationships with donors, funders, and community partners; increasing individual and corporate support; and advancing a culture of philanthropy that aligns with the Center’s mission, values, exhibitions, educational programs, and community engagement.
The ideal candidate is a strategic and relational fundraiser who is inspired by the arts and comfortable working in a small, collaborative nonprofit environment.
The Development Director reports to the Executive Director. He or she is expected to represent the Virginia Beach Art Center in the community, participate in events which increase awareness of the Art Center as needed, help expand community outreach, and perform duties which foster the development of the arts in Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region.
Regular Tasks Will Include:
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
- Design and execute a comprehensive annual development plan to meet fundraising goal of $250,000 through individual giving, corporate giving, sponsorships, events, and campaigns
- Work closely with the Executive Director to set revenue priorities and long‑term development strategies
- Track progress against goals and adjust strategies as needed
- Support the organization’s long‑range sustainability and growth Individual & Major Gifts
- Build, steward, and grow a portfolio of individual donors, with an emphasis on mid‑level and major gifts
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at all levels
- Develop donor recognition, stewardship, and retention strategies
- Manage annual appeals and targeted giving initiatives
Grants & Institutional Giving
- Collaborate with grant staff to identify new grants, gather outcomes, budgets, and support materials
Events & Sponsorships
- Secure corporate sponsorships and in‑kind support
Board & Volunteer Engagement
- Partner with the Board of Directors and Development Committee to support fundraising efforts
- Provide guidance, tools, and talking points for board member participation in development
- Support donor and volunteer engagement opportunities tied to exhibitions and programs
Communications & Collaboration
- Collaborate with marketing and artistic staff to ensure consistent messaging and branding across fundraising materials
- Contribute content for appeals, proposals, donor communications, and impact reports Represent the Art Center professionally in the community
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required
- 3–5+ years of nonprofit development or fundraising experience
- Demonstrated success in individual and corporate giving
- Strong writing, communication, and relationship‑building skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- Passion for visual arts, creativity, and community engagement
- Knowledge of local or regional philanthropic landscapes
- Complete ease with technology
Preferred
- Familiarity with donor databases and CRMs
- Experience working with boards and volunteers
Please note, VB Art Center occupies a space in the ViBe Creative District of Virginia Beach. The “office space” is shared. This is a part-time position (25-30 hours per week) with both remote and in-person hours.
If you have the required qualifications and are interested in applying, please email your resume to [email protected]
Pay: $25,000.00 - $28,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Virginia Beach, VA 23451
