Development and Fundraising Manager – The Freeman Center, Bridgeport, CT
The Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
Little Liberia (known as Ethiope then Liberia in the 1800s), a seafaring community of free people of color, boasted a luxurious seaside resort hotel for wealthy Blacks, Bridgeport’s first free lending library, a school for colored children, businesses, fraternal organizations, and churches. Of about 36 structures that comprised Little Liberia, only the Freeman Houses survive on original foundations. Mary & Eliza Freeman (of African and Paugussett heritage) were accomplished business women. The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed the Freeman Houses on its “11 Most Endangered Places” list in 2018. They are on the CT Freedom Trail and were designated one of the state’s first five Sites of Conscience. Important archaeological sites, these homes highlight legacies of freedom, entrepreneurship, and social innovation.
Development and Fundraising MANAGER
The Development and Fundraising Manager reports to the President and CEO, and works closely with the Development Leadership Team. In collaboration with the Freeman Center Board of Directors and Development Advisor, a development and fundraising plan will be created. The Development and Fundraising Manager supports, coordinates, and monitors this process. They are also charged with executing day-to-day fundraising and development functions related to annual and capital fundraising campaigns, including database management and communications. They help further the Freeman Center’s sustainability, capacity-building, and strategic partnership goals by researching strategies that increase earned income and diversify revenue streams. Grant research is also an important component of this job.
The Development and Fundraising Manager facilitates participation by the Board of Directors, community stakeholders, and volunteers. They also support the President/CEO, Development Advisor, and Development Leadership Team as they solicit major gifts and corporate sponsorships. Candidates should have some experience with community development projects (up to $10,000,000), as well as experience developing grant budgets and writing business plans. Familiarity with historic and other tax credits, or willingness to be trained in these areas, is mandatory.
We are seeking a Development and Fundraising Manager with an understanding of the historic and present challenges in fundraising for African American community-based cultural organizations, as well as a working knowledge of the local and national landscape of donors and grants for African American humanities organizations.
The Development and Fundraising Manager should be an inspiring and effective leader and manager, an articulate and persuasive communicator, a relationship-builder, and entrepreneurial. The Manager must be a creative, inquisitive, analytical and observant thinker, who enjoys brainstorming and problem-solving with colleagues. They must be prepared to be “hands-on” when needed, and to give public presentations and workshops. Above all, the Manager must continue building expertise in their field. We seek a leader and mentor who readily offers expert advice and informed opinions. Freeman Center staff have overlapping skill sets and are expected to work collaboratively in project teams to carry out the organization’s work and achieve desired outcomes. All staff are expected to have grant-writing experience and to provide research for grants as needed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Qualifications
- Minimum of five years’ comprehensive experience in a non-profit community development organization, educational, or cultural institution; experience in the Northeast corridor or New York City metropolitan area is a plus.
- A Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) in a related field.
Required Skills
- Experience soliciting major or planned gifts with a track record of building donor relationships and success closing gifts in a six-figure range.
- Exceptional strategic, analytical, organizational and decision-making skills with a high attention to detail.
- Experience researching, writing, submitting and administering State, Federal, and private foundation grants.
- Experience leading a comprehensive development operation.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; proficiency in Blackbaud eTapestry or Raiser’s Edge is preferred (or willingness to undergo intensive training).
Abilities
- Must be an enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to engage in self-evaluation regarding leadership, performance, and professional growth, and the ability to work independently with moderate supervision.
- Flexibility and capacity to make thoughtful, independent decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Persuasive, articulate communicator; active listener with strong written and presentation skills.
- Excellent relationship-building skills, both externally and internally, and the ability to effectively represent the Center in all venues.
Salary: $65,000 – $75,000, based on experience, plus healthcare.
This position is fully funded by a grant from the Mellon Foundation for the first three years.
Exempt Status: Exempt
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours a week, with some weekend and evening work required.
The Freeman Center; 1019 Main Street, Suite 210, Bridgeport, CT 06604
- The Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable.
- Driver’s license required.
- Background check prior to hiring.
- We are committed to an inclusive workplace and actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.
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