Director of Development

The Director of Development (DoD) will have primary responsibility for all aspects of the museum’s fundraising and philanthropic programs and will serve as a key member of the leadership team. Reporting to the CEO, the DoD will be responsible for conceiving, planning, and executing the museum’s fundraising strategy and engaging donors in the museum’s strategic direction while fostering a vibrant culture of philanthropy.

The DoD will work closely with the CEO, board, senior staff, volunteers, museum partners, and community to cultivate new donors while energizing the donor base. The DoD will identify and secure six-figure major gifts, corporate partnerships, and institutional grants. They will also conceive and implement annual and capital fundraising campaigns, energize and grow membership, reinvigorate special fundraising events, and expand the legacy gift program.

The DoD will be responsible for leading the division team of eight and directing the activities of Major Gifts, Membership, Grants, Database Management, and Events and Rentals to achieve fundraising goals of more than $5 million annually.

• Develop a vision and strategy to increase contributed revenue, including restricted and unrestricted support from individual, government, foundation, and corporate donors, for exhibitions, major initiatives, acquisitions, endowment, and annual operating support.
• Guide, cultivate, and increase the regular and premier membership base and affinity groups while actively developing a pipeline for community engagement and support.
• Work with and oversee the activities of the museum’s affinity organizations in general and specifically in their activities to fundraise for the museum such as with the annual Festival of Trees and Traditions and Fine Art and Flowers.
• Drive the planning and execution of the annual museum gala, establishing and working with a robust committee structure to coordinate all activities necessary for its success.
• Cultivate and inspire legacy gifts and oversee the stewardship and benefit of planned gifts to the museum.
• Prepare and organize for a major capital campaign in 2026-27 to help build the endowment, fund capital improvements, and support financial well-being.
• Invigorate and implement annual fundraising events, activities, and special campaigns to grow donor participation and welcome new communities to the museum.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Nominating and Governance Committee Chair to strengthen and expand the Board of Trustees, deepen existing relationships, and serve as a primary point of contact and an effective partner with the board.
• Support the Board’s development activities to advance development goals.
• Serve as one of the Wadsworth’s key representatives in the community, actively seeking opportunities to engage with the broader stakeholders and participate in events that position the museum for improved support.
• Advise the CEO and board on ways to increase their community, regional, national, and international networking capabilities and advance the museum’s community engagement plan.

• Collaborate with the CEO and the Director of Finance to establish fiscal goals and provide projections that accurately reflect anticipated revenues for the organization, presenting regular progress reports.
• Create an ambitious and comprehensive written annual development plan and calendar with clearly defined goals, objectives, timelines, and assignment of responsibilities.
• Train, mentor, and support museum colleagues and the board in their donor and prospect engagement activities, seeking ways to maximize their personal giving and participation in philanthropic programs.
• Collaborate with curatorial staff to secure the necessary funding for the thoughtful and illuminating exhibits that are vital to community engagement and the national and international reputation of the museum.
• Ensure that all departmental resources are properly and efficiently allocated, and that prospect research, outreach, solicitation, and stewardship are expertly executed to meet all fundraising goals and benchmarks.
• Provide oversight and support to grant writing…