Description
Capital Campaign Manager
Art Omi Pavilions – Chatham, NY
Art Omi Pavilions is a visionary new arts center in development in Chatham, NY. Set across 190 acres of scenic Hudson Valley landscape, the campus will feature 18 legacy pavilions for leading artists and collectors, alongside a visitor center, biennale pavilion, and mini pavilions. Designed by world-class architects, each pavilion will preserve and present an artist’s or collector’s legacy in perpetuity. Construction began in 2024, with a public opening of Phase 1 planned for Fall 2026.
The Pavilions builds on the 33-year history of Art Omi in Ghent, NY—one of Columbia County’s most important cultural institutions. Our mission is to advance the legacy and collective power of creative expression from leading artists, architects, and collectors in an inclusive and sustainable natural landscape.
We are now entering a critical fundraising phase, with an immediate focus on securing significant multi-million-dollar capital support for upcoming pavilion projects. Foundation and institutional outreach will complement this work, but the priority is capital fundraising to make construction possible.
Position Overview
The Pavilions seeks a Capital Campaign Manager to play a pivotal role in advancing our fundraising efforts. This is a part-time position for a resourceful, entrepreneurial, and self-directed fundraiser who thrives in early-stage organizational growth.
The primary responsibility is capital fundraising: developing pavilion-specific strategies, researching and mapping networks, identifying prospects, and leading donor cultivation that leads to significant gifts. The successful candidate does not have to bring their own Rolodex of donors but be highly skilled at finding, initiating, researching, mapping, and leveraging networks—working closely with The Pavilions’ leadership, advisors, and collaborators to open doors and convert opportunities into funding.
While the primary responsibility is capital fundraising, the Capital Campaign Manager will also support select foundation and institutional outreach—primarily by researching prospects, following up on leads provided by leadership, and helping lay the groundwork for future operational funding.
The Development Manager will work with the existing development team at Art Omi to ensure all strategies are aligned and all efforts are coordinated in tandem.
In addition, the Capital Campaign Manager will oversee and execute all development cultivation events.
This is an exciting opportunity for a resourceful, detail-oriented, ambitious, and entrepreneurial fundraiser who thrives in early-stage organizational growth.
Key Responsibilities
Capital Campaign (Primary Focus)
Develop pavilion-specific fundraising strategies tailored to each artist, collector, and architect.
Proactively research, map, and track donor networks, identifying new prospects and pathways.
Leverage the connections of Art Omi Pavilions’ leadership, Advisory Board, and extended community to generate leads.
Maintain prospect lists, track outreach, and drive consistent follow-up, ensuring momentum with high-level prospects.
Prepare strategy memos, briefing notes, and follow-up communications for leadership donor meetings.
Foundation & Institutional Support (Secondary)
Conduct targeted research to identify foundations that could support capital projects or future operational funding.
Follow up on foundation leads provided by leadership, track deadlines and outreach.
Assist in preparing grant materials and inquiries where strong alignment exists.
Help position AOP for long-term institutional relationships that may support operations, endowment, or capacity-building.
Cultivation Events & Development Programs
Lead strategy, planning, and execution of all cultivation and fundraising events (e.g., VIP tours, private previews, donor dinners).
Manage budgets, logistics, event materials, and vendor/staff coordination.
Oversee pre- and post-event donor communications, including invitations, briefings, follow-up, and reporting.
Ensure consistent documentation of development activities and track outcomes to inform future strategies.
Desired Qualifications
3–7 years of development experience, with direct involvement in capital campaigns, major gifts, or foundation fundraising.
Strong skills in prospect research, network mapping, and lead generation.
Demonstrated ability to plan and execute cultivation events or donor programs.
Excellent organizational and project management skills; detail-oriented and accountable.
Proven ability to write compelling donor communications, proposals, or grants.
Entrepreneurial self-starter who thrives in building something new and can work independently.
Knowledge of the arts and cultural funding landscape is a strong plus.
Based in or with strong ties to the Hudson Valley preferred; hybrid possible.
Position Details
Status: Part-time (approx. 25 hours/week; potential to expand as funding and needs grow).
Compensation: $3,000 - $4,000/month retainer, commensurate with experience.
Location: Hudson/Chatham area preferred, with some hybrid flexibility. Expectation to be on site as needed for a minimum of two days/ week, including some Saturdays or Sundays.
Reports to: Co-Executive Directors.
Employment type: Contract or part-time employee (TBD).
Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to help build and launch one of the most ambitious and innovative new art institutions in the Hudson Valley. In its formative stage, Art Omi Pavilions requires energy, focus, and vision to generate donor momentum and bring its transformative vision to life. The ideal candidate will combine strategic thinking, entrepreneurial ambition with meticulous execution and will play a pivotal role in securing the legacies of world-renowned artists and collectors within a singular, enduring cultural landscape.
Requirements
Desired Qualifications
3–7 years of development experience, with direct involvement in capital campaigns, major gifts, or foundation fundraising.
Strong skills in prospect research, network mapping, and lead generation.
Demonstrated ability to plan and execute cultivation events or donor programs.
Excellent organizational and project management skills; detail-oriented and accountable.
Proven ability to write compelling donor communications, proposals, or grants.
Entrepreneurial self-starter who thrives in building something new and can work independently.
Knowledge of the arts and cultural funding landscape is a strong plus.
Based in or with strong ties to the Hudson Valley preferred; hybrid possible.
