Development Assistant

About Dia Art Foundation 

Dia Art Foundation was established in 1974 for the purpose of collecting, commissioning, and presenting major works of art made in the 1960s onward. Today it consists of nine permanent sites across the United States and Germany, as well as three changing exhibition spaces in New York State: Dia Chelsea in the city, Dia Beacon in the Hudson Valley, and Dia Bridgehampton on Long Island. Dia is taken from the Greek word for “through” and conveys the foundation’s role as a facilitator of meaningful artistic experiences that can be encountered in single and repeated visits. 

Position summary 

This is a full-time, entry-level role providing administrative support across various aspects of the Development department’s operations. Reporting to the Director of Development and under the general oversight of the Senior Deputy Director of Advancement, the individual in this position provides crucial assistance to a small and busy Development team. This role offers opportunities for learning and growth as well as experience with a full range of development activities in an arts nonprofit, including donor communications, gift processing, constituent records management, and events. 

Essential duties and responsibilities 

• Perform a variety of data-entry functions in Altru, a Blackbaud fundraising database, including updating contacts, prospect coding, mailing lists, and other constituent tracking 
• Administer gift processing for the department, completing tasks such as weekly gift entries, preparation of weekly gift reports, and ongoing coordination with the Finance department 
• Prepare invoices, donor acknowledgements, and other written communications as needed 
• Provide support for biannual benefits, membership programs, and other special events, including tracking RSVPs and assisting with preparations, occasionally off-site and after-hours as needed 
• Compile research and profiles on individual, foundation, and corporate prospects 
• Support the department in donor and prospect relationship management, including billing and visiting inquiries, VIP ticket arrangements, and other tasks as assigned 
• Manage department calendar, prepare meeting agendas, and take meeting notes as assigned 
• Manage department mailings of books, holiday cards, and other large appeals 
• Assist the Senior Deputy Director of Advancement with travel, meeting schedules, reservations, and monthly expense reports 

Education, certification, and experience 

• Bachelor’s degree, equivalent education, or comparable practical experience required  
• Prior work or internship experience, preferably in a development or arts environment, required 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities 

• Must have strong administrative-support skills and be organized and detail oriented 
• Accurate data entry skills; experience with Altru or a similar database preferred, but training is provided   
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite 
• A proactive worker, able to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities 
• Works well in a team setting with a positive, helpful attitude 

Working conditions and physical demands 

• This is a full-time position in a hybrid environment with no fewer than 3 days in the office 
• Occasional travel to Dia Beacon  
• Significant computer work, which may require repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting, and sustained visual and mental applications 

Dia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, Dia will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and supports a neurodiverse workplace. Candidates with nontraditional learning or career paths and/or applicants whose qualifications differ from those listed above are encouraged to apply. 

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by completing the online job application, linked here and attaching a resume and letter of interest.