Director of Development - Ashley Rountree

Director of Development

Lexington, KY

Full-Time

ABOUT KENTUCKY HUMANITIES

Kentucky Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. Kentucky Humanities is supported by the National Endowment and by private contributions. We are not a state agency but are proud partners with Kentucky's cultural, heritage, arts, and tourism agencies.

We tell Kentucky's story, which is more than just history. By Kentucky's story we mean Kentucky's writers, inventors, judges, musicians, architects, doctors - in short, the contributions from every walk of life to the quality of life in Kentucky. We recognize a need to build civic engagement as well as literacy, and we want to involve all ages and all places from Pine Knot to Princeton. Every Kentuckian has a story to tell, and everyone can learn from the stories of others. These stories, taken together, are the stories of our communities, our counties, our regions, and our unique Kentucky culture and heritage. They are the basis of our pride and the basic premise of community.

THE OPPORTUNITY

KY Humanities has created our first ever Director of Development role. This leader will oversee all fundraising functions including grants, foundation relations, donor database, donor relations, fund development planning, stewardship, advocacy, and event planning & execution. They will work directly with the Executive Director, contract Grant Writer, and the Board. This is a leadership position who is expected to be in the office each day of the week (when not traveling to work with donors or events).

This is an opportunity for a values-driven leader with 3-5 years of fundraising experience to build on the current philanthropic success and develop a program that makes a powerful impact across our Commonwealth. This leader will have the ability to create a true fundraising/development team. Our Director of Development will play a vital role in the expansion of the organization by helping add necessary relationships and resources throughout Kentucky.

If you're ready to lead a strong organization's fundraising/development efforts and create a resource building structure that supports our humanities across Kentucky, then this role is for you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Structure

• Create and manage a true development/fundraising structure that will support growth in all revenue generating areas.
• Create a development plan for the next 2-3 years that will identify funding growth opportunities and the expected resources it will take to reach those goals.

Grants Management

• Oversee all grant opportunities, including research, grant writing, tracking, and reporting.
• Assure that grant writing records and grantor relationships are maintained through our database (in conjunction with our Grant Writer).

Donor Identification

• Assess current donor database and recent history of giving.
• Develop strategies for donor acquisition & retention, and coordinate efforts to develop strong relationships across the Commonwealth.
• Help facilitate meetings with potential donors and the Executive Director.
• Manage all outreach, solicitations, follow-up, and stewardship with all donors.

Other Fundraising

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, help lead all fund drives to maximize returns.
• Track all development activities within donor database.
• Develop fundraising materials and messaging.
• Assist in coordinating fundraising events, including logistics, volunteer recruitment, and donor/sponsor cultivation.
• Track and report on fundraising metrics, including revenue and donor retention.
• Stay informed about trends and best practices in fundraising and philanthropy.
• Creat a stewardship plan for all donor relationships, including acknowledgment letters.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies to meet annual fundraising goal.
• Create and execute a Planned Giving program, along with proper policies and procedures.
• Work with KHC Board and Alumni Board to increase engagement and giving opportunities.
• Work with Executive Director to create an Advocacy strategy at the state level.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, or related field
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising/development in the nonprofit sector
• Demonstrated success in grant writing/management, donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Experience with annual giving, major giving, and planned giving programs
• Knowledge of donor research tools and techniques
• Experience working with volunteers and board members
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance and ethical standards in fundraising
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire donors and stakeholders
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency in fundraising software and databases, as well as Microsoft Office Suite
• Commitment to the organization's mission, vision, and values
• Respects cultural differences throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky
• Nurtures an inclusive workplace valuing diversity and individual differences
• Promotes a culture of teamwork, support, and accountability within the organization

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Kentucky Humanities is prepared to offer a base salary in the range of $65,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience. A comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, & vision) is available along with an annual retirement fund matching contribution of at least 5% of annual salary, separate vacation-holidays-sick days, and a fund to support professional development opportunities.

Kentucky Humanities is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.