Director of Development - African American Museum of Dallas

About Search Firm

This position is being facilitated by Pathway Talent Solutions Group , a specialized recruitment and talent advisory firm. We partner with organizations to identify, engage, and place exceptional talent. Candidates will be supported throughout the process with clear communication, guidance, and advocacy to ensure the best fit for both client and candidate.

About the African American Museum of Dallas

The African American Museum of Dallas (AAMD), located in Fair Park, is one of the few institutions in the United States devoted to the preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural, and historical materials. As a cornerstone of Dallas's cultural landscape, AAMD is committed to education, community connection, and honoring the richness of African American heritage for generations to come.

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 sponsorships, 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.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• 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

Major Gifts & Individual Giving

• 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

Corporate & Foundation Relations

• 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

Events & Community Engagement

• 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

Operations & Systems

• 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

Qualifications

Required

• 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

Preferred

• 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

Compensation & Benefits

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.