Now Hiring! Sarasota African American Cultural Center Director of Development​

Side profile shot of a blue single-story home in the Newtown Sarasota, FL area known as The Historic Leonard Reid House

The Director of Development will be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive development strategy to support SAACC’s mission and growth. This role involves cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, securing major gifts, planning fundraising events, developing and overseeing an annual fund program, and managing grant applications. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in fundraising, excellent communication skills, and a deep commitment to the mission of SAACC. SAACC’s goal is to build a development team capable of broadening its donor base to sustain operations. The quiet phase of a capital campaign will be launched in 2026. This key position will lead the fundraising team.

Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy:
– Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to meet annual revenue goals.
– Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
– Develop and implement an annual fund program.
– Plan and manage fundraising campaigns and events.
Donor Relations:
– Build and maintain relationships with existing and potential donors.
– Develop and implement donor recognition and stewardship programs.
– Provide regular updates and reports to donors on the impact of their contributions.
Grant Management:
– Research and identify grant opportunities.
– Write and submit compelling grant proposals and reports.
– Manage grant compliance and reporting requirements.
Communications:
– Collaborate with the marketing team to develop fundraising materials and communications.
– Represent SAACC at community events, meetings, and conferences.
– Create and deliver presentations to potential donors and community partners.
Team Leadership:
– Help recruit, supervise and mentor future development staff, volunteers, and interns.
– Work closely with the CEO and Board of Directors on fundraising initiatives.
– Provide training and support for board members in their fundraising roles.

Qualifications
– Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business, Communications, or a related field.
– Minimum of 3 years of experience in fundraising and development, preferably in an educational or cultural institution.
– Proven success in securing major gifts and managing donor relationships.
– Strong grant writing and project management skills.
– Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
– Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
– Proficiency in fundraising software and CRM systems.
– Passion for African American history and culture.

Desired Attributes
– Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute long-term plans.
– Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
– Creative and innovative approach to fundraising.
– Ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
– Commitment to the mission and values of SAACC.

Salary + Benefits
– Competitive salary: $75-100k annually depending on experience.
– Available Health, dental, and vision insurance.
– Retirement plan
– Paid time off and holidays
– Professional development opportunities

Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to Vickie Oldham at [email protected] with the subject line “Director of Development Application – [Your Name].” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Desired start date is September 1, 2024. Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Director of Development’s position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it.

More information about the Sarasota African American Cultural Center is at: http://thesaacc.com.

Observer: Newtown is the largest Black historic district in Florida.

Thanks to the efforts of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition preservation project, Sarasota has become the second city ever to win the Stewards of Heritage Award as it is recognized as the largest historic African American district in the State.

Historic House in Largest Black Community in Florida
Historic House in the Newtown district of Sarasota, Florida. Photo taken by Ian Swaby

This July Sarasota received the Stewards of Heritage award from the Florida Archaeological Council. Based on the number of contributing resources, The Newtown district is now the largest Black historic district in Florida and joins St. Augustine as the only other city in the state to receive this award in its 50 years of existence.

Since 2015 Vickie Oldham, the president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, has been documenting the history of Newtown. At the start little information was readily available about the city’s historical Black community, meanwhile it it has seen a massive outgrowth. For instance, it has captured the attention of Steven High, executive director of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. 

As a result of this interest, the SAAC is now in partnership with the museum. Therefore the SAAC plans to create a new space for making and exhibiting art, at a warehouse site the museum owns next to Truvine Church, which is located at 1947 31st St.  

According to Vickie, “A project which started with a seed of an idea, has made possible a new Sarasota cultural institution”

Read full article by Ian Swaby on Observer

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