Director of Development

Background:
The Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) is a nonprofit, congressionally chartered historical and public service organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the life, ideals, and enduring legacy of the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. Founded in 1919 and chartered by Congress in 1920, the TRA is a nonpartisan organization that inspires leadership, citizenship, and service through educational programs, public outreach, and civic initiatives.

Guided by five core pillars-Military, Police, Youth, Historical Scholarship, and Conservation, the TRA develops programs that reflect Theodore Roosevelt's lifelong commitment to courage, character, and public service. As a member-based organization, the TRA also offers historical tours, educational events, and experiences that connect participants with the places, people, and ideas that shaped Theodore Roosevelt's remarkable life and continue to influence America today.

The TRA has been instrumental in preserving historic sites and maintains close relationships with:
Sagamore Hill, the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace, Harvard University’s Houghton Library, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic site, Pine Knot (the presidential retreat in Charlottesville, Virginia), Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University, National War College, American Museum of Natural History, and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.

Position:
The TRA is seeking a seasoned fundraising professional to become its next Director of Development. The new Director of Development will be capable of identifying, cultivating, engaging, and stewarding existing donors and new prospects, managing fundraising events, seeking and securing foundation support, creating and executing a fundraising strategy, and serving as a development advisor to the Board and staff.

The Director of Development will deepen the connection of the TRA community with its mission and provide regular opportunities for support. They will be successful at building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with stakeholders and serve as a passionate advocate for the work of the TRA, with a strong emphasis on community relationship-building and philanthropic growth. They will seek foundation support through research, grant writing, and stewardship.

The ideal candidate will bring a track record of success in planning and executing major gift campaigns, and an ability to craft compelling donor-centered narratives. In collaboration with the Board and Executive Director, they will develop, implement, and monitor key performance metrics to evaluate fundraising success, including individual donor revenue, new donor acquisition, major gifts secured, successful grant applications, growth in monthly and annual giving, and the effectiveness of donor communication strategies and annual giving campaigns.

The TRA is looking for a highly motivated self-starter with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, capable of balancing strategic planning with hands-on execution in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. They will be a team player with creative ideas not only about cultivating support but also building the TRA’s development infrastructure.

• Partner with the Executive Director and Board to develop and implement a comprehensive, sophisticated fundraising plan that will advance the TRA’s fundraising goals, assist with the cultivation of major gifts, strengthen the pipeline, and increase donors’ affinity with the mission
• Lead foundation fundraising efforts, including research, grant writing, reporting, and stewardship
• Identify and cultivate foundation funding opportunities to support organizational priorities
• Manage the grant lifecycle, from proposal development through reporting and renewal
• Maintain and deepen donor relationships through regular communication, stewardship, and solicitation
• Manage, revise, and evaluate strategies for annual giving and planned giving
• Partner with the Board and Board committees to strengthen engagement, advance strategic priorities, and support governance and fundraising…