Director of Development

The position will work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to ensure that development strategies are aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the American Jazz Museum; lead and manage the day-to-day activity of all development operations, including government, foundation, and corporate fundraising; individual cultivation and stewardship, membership, annual fund programs, special events and programs, and capital fundraising.
 
Duties and Daily Responsibilities:

• Oversee annual fundraising, capital gifts, planned giving campaigns, corporate giving, and grants/funding from private foundations and public sources.
• Cooperate with and assist the Executive Director in advancing the mission of AJM through the coordination of all development activities.
• Remain personally active in the pursuit of major and planned gifts, maintaining a portfolio of 150+ high-end donors and prospects.
• Maintain a working knowledge of AJM policies and procedures specifically related to his/her area of responsibility.
• Identify and coordinate appropriate opportunities to utilize the strengths of the Executive Director in his participation in the cultivation and solicitation of high-end donors and prospects.
• Prepare a Strategic Development Plan and department budget prior to the beginning of each fiscal year showing goals, action steps and outcome measures for each fundraising discipline and individual for the ensuing year.
• Establish realistic, inspiring, and challenging development goals and objectives with staff and present to the Executive Director to review and reach agreement on proposed development goals and objectives; provide regular updates on results.
• Maintain a donor database and track all existing institutional, corporate, and individual donor relationships.
• Identify, cultivate, increase, and renew grants and contributions from institutional partners.
• Plan, organize, and supervise special events for solicitation and cultivation purposes, including the museum's annual “Believe In AJM” Gala, regular fundraisers, year-round donor engagement and cultivation events, etc.
• Hire, train and support development staff and monitor accountabilities for results and outcomes of all development initiatives.
• Effectively and efficiently administer the affairs of the department, especially to the creation and monitoring of the budget to ensure compliance with AJM standards, policies, and expectations.
• Maintain a donor database and ensure all records are current and relevant, including comprehensive updates to membership lists and fundraising calendar.
• Oversee the development of all direct mail appeals, rigorously evaluating the productivity and efficiency of mail service vendors to ensure generation of an acceptable return on investment.
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Department to ensure all AJM promotional materials are current and appropriate for use in advancing fundraising initiatives of all types.
• Collaborate with other AJM departments on their fundraising needs.
• Serve as a member of the AJM senior leadership team and maintain an effective liaison with AJM personnel to promote clear understanding of development programs and responsibilities.
• Direct the oversight and development of all aspects of the capital campaign to include assessing needs, strategic planning and participation of volunteers and appropriate staff.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned, or as needed.