Fundraising & Development Manager – American Museum & Gardens

About the American Museum & Gardens

The American Museum & Gardens is truly unique. Founded in 1961 to bring American history and cultures to the people of Britain and Europe, it is the only museum of Americana outside the US.

Set within a Grade 1 listed Georgian manor house on the edge of Bath, the Museum houses fascinating period rooms and a remarkable permanent collection of folk, decorative arts and cultural objects, showing the diverse and complex nature of American traditions, focused primarily on the 14th-20th centuries. The Museum is situated within a Georgian estate of 125 acres of historic parkland, ancient woodland and formal American gardens, with a gallery shop, café and children’s garden. Located in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the views across the Limpley Stoke Valley from the lawns and café terrace are unrivalled.

A separate Exhibition Gallery offers two showcase exhibitions per year, covering a diverse range of subjects including fashion, photography, art, American culture and family-friendly shows. Throughout the year there’s a programme of exciting events offering concerts, outdoor theatre, family activities, workshops, talks, a wellbeing programme, a Christmas illuminations trail, and new in 2022, a 3-day summer festival of music, comedy, and food.

In recent years the gardens surrounding the manor house have been developed as The New American Garden, the first European commission for renowned US landscape architects Oehme, van Sweden. The design is characterized by large swathes of grasses and fields of perennials, a planting style made famous by the OvS founders, and includes a replica of George Washington’s garden at Mount Vernon and an Arboretum.

The American Museum & Gardens is a registered charity governed by a Board of Trustees. The organisation receives funding from foundations membership, sponsors and individual donors, and generates additional income through paid admissions, cafe, shop and events. 

About the role

The Fundraising & Development Manager manages the daily activities supporting the delivery of the organisation’s fundraising strategy and provides line management to the Membership Officer and Museum Administrator. The role sits in the Business and Development department. This team is responsible for commercial income generation for the Museum through fundraising, membership, catering, retail, venue hire, weddings and film location hire.  Membership is important to us as it provides not only income but also ongoing support, advocacy, and donations to the Museum from members.

These responsibilities involve key activities outlined below: 

Fundraising

• Work closely with Leadership Team to develop funding priorities and establish annual targets and metrics to ensure strategic goals are met and successful fundraising campaigns achieved
• Identify grants and funds available to support museum projects and work with the Business & Development Director to prioritise funding applications
• Liaise with trusts and foundations to ensure applications are appropriate
• Preparation and submission of bids to trusts and foundations
• Work with the Business & Development Director in the delivery of bids to major, national prospects for capital programmes, in collaboration with departmental specialists
• Ensure that effective monitoring and evaluation of projects is carried out, when necessary, that reports are prepared on time for grant makers, and that conditions are met
• Develop a digital fundraising strategy to include opportunities for individual giving, onsite donations, crowdfunding, and appeals
• Manage fundraising campaigns for specific projects
• Record all funds received from US and UK donors and maintain fundraising database
• Develop the legacy programme

Development

• Plan and manage annual calendar of events and comms that complement fundraising goals and donor engagement – building in loyalty and retention
• Plan and implement cultivation & fundraising events to maximize prospect/donor engagement
• Meticulous stewardship of donors, sponsors and partners

• Support the Business & Development Director in identifying potential sponsors and manage the sponsorship programme, including maintaining a database of current and potential sponsors
• Work with the Business & Development Director to identify revenue-generating opportunities
• Identify and develop partnerships to support community engagement and local business opportunities

Line Management

• Manage the Membership Officer and manage the strategic development of the membership programme to drive membership sales and generate loyalty, ensuring renewal processes and recruitment campaigns are carried out effectively

• Manage the Museum Administrator, ensuring a balance of support across all functions

Other

• To promote and support the charitable aims of the organisation
• To take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the organisation
• To agree to abide by organisational policies such as Health and Safety, Safeguarding etc.
• To maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to the organisation
• To maximise income and minimise expenditure whenever possible
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to this role
• To be flexible and to undertake any other reasonable duties

Personal Specification 

Essential:

• Successful experience in fundraising, grant research, document preparation, and cultivation
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to plan and prioritise a demanding workload and meet deadlines
• Fully conversant with Microsoft Outlook, Office, Word and Excel
• Excellent organisational skills and strong attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to relate effectively and appropriately to a wide range of people
• A demonstrable passion for the arts, heritage, or museums

Desirable:

• Previous experience working within an arts/heritage organisation/cultural sector
• Experience of working with fundraising databases or CRM systems

 Other information

The American Museum & Gardens is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff members to share this commitment.

This role may be subject to a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If called for interview you will be asked to disclose details of any convictions which are not yet spent.

The American Museum & Gardens is an equal opportunities employer.

To apply

Please send a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet requirements of the role, together with a completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form  to tracy.foster@americanmuseum.org or by post to The American Museum & Gardens, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD.

Closing date for applications: Midnight on Friday 15 July 2022

Benefits for working at the American Museum include:

• 20% discount on purchases in our café and 10% discount in our shop
• Free parking
• Free hot drink and cookie each day from The Garden Café
• Free entry to the museum for you and your immediate family, and 6 guest passes
• 25 days annual leave
• Wellbeing programme (free weekly yoga classes)
• Pension Scheme 8% (4% museum, 3% personal contribution, & 1% from government)