Position Overview Development Resources, inc / www.driconsulting.

com

Director of Development
Highlands, North Carolina
About The Bascom
The Bascom is a nonprofit center for the visual arts in Highlands, North Carolina (70 miles west
of Asheville; 120 miles north of Atlanta) whose mission is to provide audiences of all ages with
stimulating exhibitions, studio art instruction and other enriching cultural experiences in a
welcoming park-like setting. Originally founded as part of the Hudson Library in Highlands,
proceeds from the sale of William and Louis Barratts' family home funded the original art center.
Today, as a separate entity from the library, The Bascom has developed into a beloved creative
resource for art lovers and artists at all ability levels, as well as the community and region as a
whole. At The Bascom, individuals come together, participate in studio art classes and public
programs, share in programs and festivals and volunteer opportunities, and enjoy the synergy of
art and nature.

The Bascom moved into its new home in June 2009, located high on a mountain plateau on a six-
acre, barn-and-vintage wood architect-designed campus where it serves people through high-
quality rotating exhibitions, classes and educational presentations. Formerly a horse farm, The
Bascom’s campus features an early 1800s covered bridge, a nature trail, a 27,500 square foot
main building with classrooms, meeting rooms, cafe, shop and terrace; a separate reconstructed
Studio Barn is for art instruction as well. The Bascom’s new complex and landscape offers its
visitors an enticing respite from the demands of day-to-day life.

The Bascom has a current operating budget of $1.8 million and more than 300 volunteers who
serve in a variety of capacities. Fundraising continues for the new campus and for a separate
educational and exhibitions program endowment.

Leadership for The Bascom is comprised of 24 dedicated and actively involved individuals who
are successful at fundraising. Linda Steigleder, Executive Director, manages the day-to-day
operations of the Arts Center. Prior to taking the lead at The Bascom in January 2008, Ms.
Steigleder was director of Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, CT. Her degrees are in art history
from Syracuse University and The College of William and Mary. She graduated from the
Museum Management Institute, a leadership program of the J. Paul Getty Trust and the
University of California. To learn more about The Bascom visit: www.thebascom.org.

The Bascom is being assisted in this recruitment by Development Resources inc. All resumes
and questions should be sent to search@driconsulting.com
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Director of Development
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Position Summary
The Bascom is currently embarked on a $13.2 million campaign to fund the construction and to
build an endowment for the future. To date, over 1,100 corporations, foundations and
individuals have contributed $9.2 million. The Bascom is now seeking a Director of
Development who can successfully raise major gifts to secure operating support, help raise
capital campaign funds, and continue shaping The Bascom's philanthropic vision.

The Director of Development is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for conceptualizing,

building and executing a strategic long-term fundraising plan including major gifts, themed
events, program and exhibition sponsorships, membership, a patron affinity group, grants and
more. The Director of Development will create fundraising program components and operations
in an organization with an intensely active May through October season, when country clubs are
in operation and summer home owners are in residence. He/she will evolve an advancement
effort that is transparent, systematic, and productive.

Chief responsibilities of the position include: expanding the donor base and charitable gifts to
The Bascom; enhancing the strategic involvement of volunteer leaders within the organization;
and managing the development and marketing department and staff to improve processes and
implement best practices. The Director of Development will maintain their own portfolio of
donors while also enabling the cultivation and major gift solicitation by the Executive Director
and Board Chairperson. He/she identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major capital,
endowment and annual gifts. The Director of Development is also responsible for expanding
The Bascom's public image and visibility among broad and targeted audiences, as well as among
targeted philanthropic constituencies.

Key Responsibilities
Serve as a member of the senior management team, supervising all development,
membership, special and benefit events, marketing and communications staff
Plan and implement or delegate all personal solicitations and other activities included in the
fundraising program
Develop and manage the department, its staff and budget to improve processes and
implement best practices; direct and evolve systems and protocol for data collection,
processing, protocol, batching and analysis
Lead the planning and execution of fundraising strategies to meet or exceed fundraising goals

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Director of Development
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Increase museum financial support through individual memberships, individual benefactor

ticketing, Board member and patron contributions, foundation grants, major and planned
gifts, corporate sponsorships, benefit events and other special fundraising initiatives
including rentals of facilities
Serve on the Development and Leadership Committees of the Board of Directors, as well as
Benefit Event, Finance and Endowment Committees as needed; attend meetings and provide
reports as necessary
Assist in the identification and recruitment of Board and volunteer leadership prospects
Provide timely, proper stewardship to existing Board gifts and manage Board giving
Manage and direct writing, editing and submission of proposals and reports to sources of
corporate, foundation and other funding as well as preparation, coordination and
solicitation/delivery
Oversee the stewardship process for individual, corporate, and foundation gifts to include
development of requests based on institutional goals and budget, involvement of new
partners and funding sources, acknowledgement of gifts and fulfillment of benefits
Help design and coordinate all marketing, public relations, communications and publication
activities to broaden awareness of The Bascom, both regionally and nationally
Collaborate with key external constituencies and organizations to enrich strategic
relationships and strengthen marketing and advancement

Ideal Experience
Possess at least five years of increasing responsibility and proven success in fundraising
management for organizations with $2 million operating budgets or larger, and with capital
campaigns of $10 million or larger
Proven success with staff oversight, collaborations, team building and committee work
Successful track record of major, planned and annual gifts, sponsorships and benefactor
support of benefit events, and membership support
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, steward and acknowledge donors
Knowledge of museum membership, industry standards, charitable gift rules and regulations
Good computer skills and knowledge of membership database programs
Excellent interpersonal skills to include vision, patience, perseverance, tact and diplomacy
Bachelor’s degree required; Master's degree preferred; knowledge of art history and past
experience in seasonal resort community is a plus

Personal Characteristics
A facilitator and coordinator with outstanding leadership abilities and interpersonal skills;
must have credibility, good judgment, honesty, integrity, trust and an ability to motivate
others in a similar vein
Able to problem-solve, work independently and excel in a high-performance culture
A team player with a positive attitude and an understanding and appreciation of stewardship

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Director of Development
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Able to view challenges, opportunities and new projects as a chance to develop creative and
innovative activities that stimulate the team
Collaborative, positive and proactive style; a strong public ambassador for The Bascom; able
to create an atmosphere charged with excitement and energy
Flexible and able to refine strategies after feedback from key stakeholders
Self-motivated in order to identify prospects and initiate meetings and opportunities in an
appropriate manner
Appreciation for the arts

To Apply
Questions, resumes and CVs should be sent to: search@driconsulting.com.

All first round interviews for the Director of Development will take place at Development
Resources, inc. or via telephone: 1601 N. Kent Street, Suite 1200, Arlington, VA 22209, (703)
294-6684.

The Bascom is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Bascom encourages applications from
qualified persons of every race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status,
sexual orientation, and disability.

search@driconsulting.com Development Resources inc.