The Director of Development reports to the President & CEO, or his/her designated executive, and works in collaboration and cooperation with the Museum’s development consultants and communications and marketing team. The Director of Development’s main responsibility is to provide overall leadership in the design, implementation and management of the fundraising plan and develop a comprehensive and effective long-term fundraising strategy. The Director of Development will coordinate management of the pursuit and expansion of individual, foundation, corporate and government support, building a planned giving program and shaping a plan for growing the endowment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Campaign Management:

•Implement and manage a campaign that supports a $10 million per year budget and a $5 million property maintenance endowment;

•Establish solicitation priorities, manage prospect lists and research, develop and execute targeted cultivation plans and solicitation strategies for a range of prospects; prepare and provide support to President & CEO and other executives, department heads, board members and volunteers for solicitations;

•Manage the development of fundraising materials, including print and electronic collateral materials and coordinate their design and production;

•Oversee donor communication, creating content for e-newsletter and talking points for the media; integrate campaign milestones into ongoing public relations outreach;

•Manage Cultivation and recognition events, and other initiatives as required;

•Manage the fundraising budget;

•Ensure that data related to prospects and donors is recorded and tracked in electronic and hard copy files; manage campaign record keeping, evaluate progress towards goals, prepare periodic reports on fundraising plan, as needed, to meet goals;

•Ensure donor acknowledgement, stewardship and public recognition, as appropriate;

•Preparing an annual fundraising plan that details goal, schedules and budgets.

•Developing relationships with individuals and cultural, civic and corporate organizations to cultivate prospective donors;

•Work collaboratively with staff and board members to cultivate identified institutional prospects and prepare foundation and government grant proposals;

•Oversee individual gift solicitation, tracking and acknowledgements (such as the gala and other fundraising appeals);

•Working with the Department heads to identify individual donors and corporate sponsors for special projects;

•Collaborate with the venue manager and events department, maximizing potential for profit and/or visibility, depending on the nature of the event;

•Ensuring that appropriate systems, procedures and controls are in place for identifying new donors, tracking and acknowledging gifts and organizing donor recognition; and

•Working with the President & CEO and Trustees in long range planning for the Museum.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

•Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree preferred, and familiarity with nonprofit cultural institutions, as well as contemporary visual arts and/or historic preservation;

•Minimum 10 years of professional experience in fundraising with a track record of success, with experience in capital or endowment campaigns, individual giving and/or major gifts, and the tracking/monitoring of pledges;

•Knowledge of City of Chicago, State of Illinois, national and international philanthropic communities that support the education and arts and culture organizations;

•Superior verbal and written communication skills;

•Experience in managing budgets;

•Excellent interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills, capable of working effectively with board members, staff members, volunteers, consultants and donors/prospects;

•Energetic, self-motivated, flexible and adaptable, able to multi-task and work independently in a small, hands-on work environment; and

•Computer fluency in MS office, and other donor database software, web applications, and knowledgeable about the role of technology and electronic communication in fundraising. DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.