Position Title: Development Director
Category/FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt
Position Reports to: Executive Director
About the W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation
The W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Foundation (WEBDBMF) is a nonprofit organization established in 2019 in Delaware, and a sister Non-Governmental Organization of the same name incorporated in Ghana in 2021. The common mission is to honor the life and legacy of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois by redeveloping his final resting place in Accra, Ghana into a fitting complex that will attract tourists and scholars from around the world. He was the celebrated US civil rights leader, cofounder of the US-based NAACP, long-time editor of its celebrated The Crisis monthly, father of Pan-Africanism, and pioneering scholar of sociology, race relations, and global human rights.
WEBDBMF has in place, an Agreement with the Government of Ghana through its Ministry of Tourism, Creative Arts, and Culture, to finance, redevelop, manage, and transfer the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Accra. While the Ghana NGO constructs and operates the planned W.E.B Du Bois Museum and Library Complex in Accra, the USA nonprofit has the responsibility to raise the necessary multi-million funding and create an endowment to support operations for decades.
Position Summary
The Director of Development will serve as a frontline fundraiser and support the Executive Director, COO/CFO and the Board in key donor engagement strategies. The role will be responsible for identifying and building relationships with new prospects, as well as strengthening relationships with existing donors to maximize philanthropic support.
The successful candidate will have a personal commitment to the mission of WEBDBMF and will be an experienced fundraiser, team leader and supportive team player. S/he will provide executive-level leadership and transition between leading innovative efforts and tasks; collaborating on initiatives with the Executive Director, COO/CFO, colleagues and board members; and coaching team members. She/he will possess an entrepreneurial spirit and competencies in effectively cultivating long-lasting relationships, developing and executing fundraising strategies, and seamlessly moving donors through the gifting process. Additionally, s/he will build upon the momentum generated in the 2025 launch of the conceptual architectural drawings of the W.E.B. Bois Museum & Library Complex in Accra, Ghana, and be energized by playing a collaborative role in establishing and implementing the direction for the next few years.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
§ Identify and qualify new major gift prospects and create a comprehensive strategy for donors
engagement.
§ Manage a robust portfolio of donors by assisting in the implementation of strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and new donors.
§ Directly solicit major gifts and partner with the Executive Director by providing prospect briefings, strategic guidance, and assistance with donor communications.
§ Work with the Executive Director, COO/CFO, board, and volunteers, to identify ability and interest of major gift prospects for their solicitation in alignment with the organization’s priorities.
§ Develop, plan, and participate in strategic donor stewardship opportunities, such as events.
§ Deliver a high-quality donor experience through regular correspondence, tailored proposals, timely gift acknowledgments, and effective stewardship activities.
§ Ensure that all data related to prospects and donors is recorded and tracked in a donor database, updating donor records and assisting with database maintenance.
§ Track prospect activity by maintaining regular reports that accurately reflect progress toward
annual fundraising goals.
§ Work with the CCS, a Campaign Consulting Firm, the Executive Director, COO/CFO, Board to develop timeline and short-term, mid -term, and long-term capital campaign plans to meet the goals of the organization and financially sustain WEBDBMF.
§ Supervise additional Development Staff who may be added over the years.
Essential Knowledge, Competencies, and Skill Requirements
● Entrepreneurial spirit with a successful track record of a minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising.
● Excellent team leadership skills, including hiring, coaching, and developing staff and fostering a positive, collaborative environment.
● Skillful at building strong new and lasting relationships, networking, and stewarding a portfolio of contacts.
● Connected to a strong network of nonprofit professionals, corporate contacts and philanthropists.
● Adept at leading communications and marketing across a broad array of channels, and the ability to serve as an ambassador for WEBDBMF.
● Successful track record reporting to C-level and working with nonprofit boards of directors.
● Excellent project planning, project management, and budgeting skills.
● High level of professionalism, integrity, diplomacy, and accountability.
● Knowledge of and commitment to human and civil rights, Pan Africanism and a professional desire to independently learn about Dr. W.E.B Du Bois and his wife Shirley Graham Du Bois.
● Ability to work well independently and collaboratively as a team player.
● Lifelong learner.
Education
The successful candidate must hold either a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with at least ten years of fundraising and capital campaign experience, or a master’s degree in a relevant field with at least five years of such experience.
Salary: $75,000 to $90,000 based on experience.
Benefits:
● Attractive
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
This position requires the ability to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment, and the physical ability to perform light lifting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand or walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop or bend; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Work is performed in an office setting. This person may be required to
Travel domestically (US) and/or internationally (mostly to Ghana.) There is no exposure to hazardous materials.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
WEBDBMF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other discrimination prohibited by law. The organization complies with all applicable US federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances prohibiting employment discrimination.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees within this class.
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume