Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Communications

Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Communications

Reports to: Executive Director (ED)

The Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Communications plays a key role in advancing the Adirondack Folk School’s mission by growing philanthropic support and strengthening community awareness. This position focuses on two primary goals:

1. Increasing charitable giving and memberships through personal outreach and broader solicitation strategies, including direct mail and social media.
2. Expanding communications and outreach to raise awareness of AFS, resulting in increased participation in classes, programs, and special events.

This role is responsible for meeting and exceeding annual strategic goals and helping prepare for a future capital fundraising campaign to support planned expansion.

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising

• Partner with the Executive Director to develop engagement strategies and solicit annual support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and other constituencies.
• Ensure effective systems are in place to solicit, acknowledge, thank, and steward donors and members in a timely and meaningful way.

Donor Database Management

• Build and maintain the donor database in Salesforce.
• Ensure accurate tracking of current and historical giving.
• Use database insights to support donor cultivation and solicitation strategies across giving levels.

Communications & Marketing

• In coordination with the ED, develop and implement a strategic, multi-channel communications plan. • Manage content across the website, social media (including daily post scheduling), email communications (including a monthly newsletter), and direct mail.
• Oversee communications for annual appeals, membership renewals, acknowledgements, and weekly promotional postcards.

• Create and manage an annual advertising plan and budget.
• Assist in final development of the annual class catalog and produce a website-based flipbook with active links to classes and sponsors.

Events

• Support the Events Committee in planning and executing major events, including the Hearts for the Arts Gala, Summer Festival, community fairs/expos, and other fundraising activities.
• Develop marketing strategies and promotional materials for key events.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2–4 years of successful, related professional experience.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• At least 2 years of nonprofit development and/or communications experience. • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and planning abilities with strong attention to detail.
• Highly motivated, goal-oriented self-starter and collaborative team player.

• Flexible and willing to assist where needed.
• Proficiency with Salesforce or other CRM systems, email marketing platforms, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and Microsoft Office.

Position Details

Full-time, on-site position at the Adirondack Folk School’s main campus in Lake Luzerne, NY.