Director of Development - African American Museum of Dallas

Position Overview

The Director of Development is a senior‑level role responsible for leading and executing the Museum's fundraising strategy. This position oversees all contributed revenue streams — including individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsor ships, foundation grants, special events, and planned giving — with a focus on growing a sustainable and diverse funding base. The Director of Development serves as a strategic partner to the Executive Director and plays a central role in advancing the Museum's mission and visibility in the Dallas community and beyond.

• Design and implement a comprehensive annual development plan with clear revenue goals and strategies
• Diversify and grow the Museum's contributed revenue portfolio across all funding streams
• Serve as a thought partner to the Executive Director on philanthropic vision and donor engagement
• Track fundraising metrics and provide regular reports on progress toward goals

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects
• Develop and manage a robust annual giving program, including membership and recurring donor campaigns
• Create personalized stewardship strategies that deepen donor relationships and increase retention
• Partner with board members on donor identification and relationship‑building

• Build and manage relationships with corporate sponsors and philanthropic foundations
• Write and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and progress reports
• Research and identify new grant opportunities aligned with the Museum's mission and programming
• Ensure grant compliance and timely reporting in coordination with the Financial Manager

• Lead the planning and execution of fundraising events, galas, and donor cultivation gatherings
• Partner with marketing and programming staff to leverage events for visibility and donor engagement
• Represent the Museum at community and civic events to build awareness and philanthropic interest

• Maintain and optimize the donor database (CRM) to ensure accurate tracking of gifts, contacts, and communications
• Supervise development staff and volunteers as the team grows
• Develop and manage the development department budget
• Ensure compliance with all fundraising regulations and ethical standards

• Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business, or a related field
• 5–7 years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts and grant writing
• Demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including grant writing and donor correspondence
• Experience with donor management software (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce NPSP, Bloomerang, or similar)
• Ability to cultivate authentic relationships with donors, board members, and community stakeholders

• Experience in cultural institutions, museums, arts organizations, or community‑centered nonprofits
• CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification or active pursuit
• Established relationships within the Dallas/DFW philanthropic community
• Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish) a plus

The African American Museum of Dallas offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a benefits package that reflects our commitment to employee well‑being. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.