At Gasparilla Arts, our board of directors plays a vital role in shaping the future of one of the nation’s premier outdoor art festivals and in advancing our mission to support artists, expand access to the arts, and support arts education.
We are seeking passionate, engaged individuals who are excited to voluunter their time, expertise, and networks to help our organization thrive. Serving on the board is both an opportunity to make a meaningful impact and to be part of a dynamic group committed to the arts in Tampa Bay.
See below for current opportunities:
Opportunities with the Development Committee:
Gasparilla Arts is seeking two board members to help strengthen fundraising efforts on the sponsorship side of the Development Committee (DC), which has a sponsorship side and a grants side. There are currently two needs for the DC:
Co-Chair on Sponsorship side of the DC:
The DC has co-chairs, one for grants and one for sponsorships. The most important tasks/skills associated with the position of sponsorship co-chair are as follows:
Oversee and follow up on the efforts of DC members who are working on retaining and obtaining sponsors.
Work with the Sponsorship Administrator on managing and directing sponsorship efforts, planning for DC and board meetings, and considering other sponsorship opportunities. Experience in fundraising strategy is a plus.
Lead DC meetings to keep the committee moving forward and on task.
Review and contribute to messaging to sponsors and for public fundraising asks.
Present to the organization’s board at monthly meetings regarding the status of DC efforts on the sponsorship side, make asks of the board for support (as needed), and field questions about ideas and opportunities to take back the DC for consideration.
Engage with sponsors at events including the Preview Party and the Festival.
Candidates for this position would also benefit the DC and organization if they have personal and/or business connections in the region that could assist in developing additional sponsors. However, this would be a supplemental benefit as the primary need for this role is to manage DC efforts on the sponsorship side and to oversee the DC’s efforts and operation. Eric Page currently holds the sponsorship side co-chair position, and he has a year remaining on his second three-year term with the board. As such, the board member who is identified for this position will have a year to observe the operations before stepping into the position.
Sponsorship side Fundraising for the DC:
The organization’s Development Committee (DC) has a sponsorship component and a grants component. At his time, the DC needs support on the sponsorship side. The most important tasks/skills associated with the position of sponsorship fundraiser are as follows:
Personal and/or business connections and relationships in the region that are with individuals/organizations that might be interested in supporting Gasparilla Arts, which can be in-kind support, but which is usually more along the lines of direct monetary support.
A willingness to “make the ask” so that the person can leverage their connections and relationships to increase sponsors of the organization.
A willingness to “make the ask” of persons/organizations with which they may not have a connection, but that could benefit the organization.
Being organized with their efforts through follow ups with sponsors and potential sponsors to maximize support of the organization.
Be an advocate for Gasparilla Arts within their professional network, community, and at events associated with the organization and the art scene in the region. Above all, we want someone who is enthusiastic about the arts, believes in our mission, and is willing to be an active and engaged ambassador and fundraiser for Gasparilla Arts.