DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Director of Development sought for The HistoryMakers, a national non profit educational institution committed to preserving, developing and providing easy access to an internationally recognized archival collection of thousands of African American video oral history interviews. Annual revenues are currently $1.5-$2 million but seek to grow to $3 million annually. The Director of Development will report directly to the Executive Director. (S)he must have worked with a small non profit, had prior successful experience with event fundraising, capital campaigns, major gifts, annual campaigns, gift solicitations, naming opportunities and individual, corporate and foundation giving. A prior grant writing background would be preferred and academic training in the humanities would be a plus.

COMPENTENCIES

AFFECTIVE:
This individual must demonstrate a commitment to the mission of The HistoryMakers and the ability to function in a mission-oriented organization.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Significant knowledge of event fundraising, major giving, annual and capital campaigns.
2. Ability to develop and manage the systems, procedures and strategies to secure major gifts.
3. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written and verbal communications skills.
4. Experience with federal, corporate and foundation grants;
5. Event planning experience of upscale small and large events.
6. Interacting professionally with diverse individuals of means, including donors, trustees, and volunteers;
7. Significant project management experience and great administrative skills;
8. Knowledge of the educational, humanities-related, museum or other archival fields.
9. Bachelor’s or master’s degree.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Play an instrumental role in planning and implementing The HistoryMakers An Evening Withcelebrity interview PBS-TV interview series as well as smaller events.
2. Develop solicitation strategies that meet The HistoryMakers’ fundraising goal.
3. Develop an excellent understanding of the organization, its programs, goals, and clientele, and be able to articulate these in a compelling and ethical manner to donor prospects.
4. Research, write, and submit proposals on a timely basis to secure appropriate funding
5. Develop and maintain a project tracking system for timely submission of reports and follow-up activities.
6. Develop all briefing materials, strategies, proposals, presentations, reports, etc. in accordance with The HistoryMakers guidelines.
7. Represent The HistoryMakers at all times professionally and adhere to The HistoryMakers confidentiality and ethics procedures.
8. Perform all other duties as from time to time assigned.
9. Travel occasionally. Candidate should own a car and have a valid driver’s license and
10. Fulfill other duties as assigned.

COMPUTER SKILLS:
Highly proficient in MS Office, Word, Access. Excel

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. The HistoryMakers also offers a competitive benefits package that includes 403(b), PTO, health, vision and dental insurance, tuition reimbursement and school loan repayment assistance.

The HistoryMakers

The HistoryMakers, the nation’s largest African American video oral history archive(www.thehistorymakers.org), is a one-of-a-kind collection, housed permanently at the Library of Congress. Its website (www.thehistorymakers.org), accessed by millions worldwide, is sited in Wikipedia and used as a “go to” reference tool. Its digital archive(https://da.thehistorymakers.orguser name: [email protected]; password: THMDemo) has been licensed by colleges, universities, K-12 schools and public libraries for use by faculty, students and patrons and is growing in popularity in the wake of COVID19 and the focus on online learning. Within the next few years, The HistoryMakers will become the digital repository for the Black experience: providing much needed content, role models, success pathways and frameworks for a 21st century citizenry that has become increasingly less tolerant, divisive and economically and educationally disparate.

Please send resumes to:

The HistoryMakers

1900 S. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60616

[email protected]