Director of Philanthropy

Historic Seattle’s Mission

Saving meaningful places to foster lively communities.

Position Summary:

Historic Seattle invites applications for the position of Director of Philanthropy. Our incoming Director of Philanthropy will be a talented and experienced individual joining a cohesive senior staff team and organization of individuals dedicated to its mission. Our fundraising program is supported by a great team of individuals with specific focus on community, donor, and constituent engagement primarily through our annual fund program, grant writing, estate giving and major gifts programs. This position will be responsible for leading this team and ensuring that these core functions support the fundraising strategies and goals that will be created by the Director of Philanthropy.

Not only will this position have the support of colleagues focused on community, donor and constituent engagement, the Director of Philanthropy will also have the opportunity, with the Executive Director, to build and steward the Development Committee of Historic Seattle’s Council. The recent creation of this committee within the governance structure of the organization is intended to amplify Historic Seattle’s commitment to developing and curating a culture of philanthropy that will help to make it possible for Historic Seattle to expand our advocacy outreach and effectiveness, develop even more engaging education programs, and maintain and expand our community-centered, historic real estate portfolio.

Candidates for this position must bring demonstrable, senior-level experience raising gifts in a variety of ways and from a variety of sources while leading a team of colleagues and volunteer leaders. Funds raised by our Director of Philanthropy will help our organization achieve the goals articulated within our 5-year strategic plan: growth of our financial capacity, strengthening our advocacy toolkit, boosting our real estate portfolio, cultivating relationships, and building brand awareness.

The Director of Philanthropy reports directly to the Executive Director and closely collaborates with all Historic Seattle Staff, Council and Foundation Board Members to strategically develop and cohesively execute these core activities.  

Essential Job Functions:

The responsibilities of the position break down into the following broad categories:

1. Fundraising (80% Time)
2. Relationship and Volunteer Management (15% Time)
3. Additional (5%)

Fundraising (80%)

• Expands an existing major gifts program in support of the organization’s five-year strategic plan.
• Expands our estate giving program.
• Oversees the Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Communications as they manage the annual and monthly giving programs, corporate sponsorship program, grant research, writing and reporting, donor stewardship, development of donor-centric publications including the annual report, newsletters, and collateral materials.
• Oversees the Engagement Coordinator as they execute the logistical and administrative duties in support of the philanthropy team, including grant writing and reporting, gift acknowledgement, and database administration. 
• Creates strategy and leads the execution of donor-centric events such as an annual awards gala, and donor cultivation, and recognition events.
• Applies a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility lens to fundraising and implements and advances appropriate elements of the team’s DEIA work plan.

Relationship and Volunteer Management (15%)

• Identifies new and existing constituents with financial and/or network capacities, builds and cultivates relationships, and recruits prospects to join and actively participate on Historic Seattle’s Development Committee.
• Builds and stewards professional relationships with co-workers, community groups, audience members, tenants, neighbors, and Historic Seattle constituents.

Additional (5%)

• Supports Executive Director in additional needs as requested.
• Collaboratively works with and supports all other staff to integrate fundraising goals and strategies in support of education programs, community engagement activities, advocacy efforts, and real estate initiatives.
• Plays an integral, team-oriented role with other Historic Seattle Staff and Council members as we foster a supportive organizational culture based on transparent communication and mutual accountability.

Position Status:

This position is a full-time, 40 hours per week, exempt, salaried position, and reports to Historic Seattle’s Executive Director. Candidate must be willing to work outside of normal business hours on occasion.

Compensation: 

$75,000 - $90,000 annual salary, dependent upon experience; eligible for medical benefits, long term disability, holiday, vacation, and sick days. A comprehensive benefits package is offered with employer retirement contribution. Historic Seattle offers the opportunity for a hybrid (in office/ work from home) flexible working environment.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• 8+ years fundraising experience developing and effectively stewarding relationships and volunteers, targeted fundraising related communications, program, and audience development to enhance and support fundraising activities.  Candidate should have a track record of securing major gifts.
• Experience in and knowledge of historic preservation, real estate development, and public funding programs.
• Provide effective writing, organizational, leadership, administrative, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Ability and desire to work effectively with people of diverse personalities, cultures, and communication styles, including volunteers, community leaders, business representatives, Council members, and colleagues.
• Experience in a non-profit setting.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently at multiple, concurrent tasks in a self-directed manner while managing scheduled activities and seamlessly adjusting and prioritizing workflow when unexpected activities and emergencies occur.
• Time management skills and experience independently managing projects of varied size and scope.
• Experience working within a team environment, pro-actively solving problems in imaginative as well as practical ways, and effectively communicating with other team members, constituents, contractors, and vendors.
• Experience interfacing respectfully with people from diverse populations.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both verbal and written form.
• Proficiency with personal computers and common software applications, such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please email a cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position, résumé highlighting relevant experience, and at least three references, to Kji Kelly, kjik@historicseattle.org, with “Director of Philanthropy” in the email’s subject line.

More information about Historic Seattle can be found at www.historicseattle.org. Questions may be directed to Kji Kelly at kjik@historicseattle.org.

Historic Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants representing the diversity of our community are encouraged to apply.

Historic Seattle’s Working Equity Action Statement
Historic Seattle is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization and to implementing an equity lens in all of our areas of work. To advance this commitment, we have retained the services of RISE LWP, which brings equitable solutions to fast-paced, constantly shifting economic and political landscapes.

In partnership with RISE LWP, we are learning the nature of change agency and its impact on individuals as well as companies and organizations. We collectively believe that equity is an ardent journey toward well-being as defined by the affected. We collectively know that equity demands sacrifice and redistribution of power and resources in order to break systems of oppression, heal continuing wounds, and realize justice.

To achieve equity and social justice in economic and political landscapes, we must first root out deeply entrenched systems of racism. This lies at the root of our work with Rise LWP, which works to build strong foundations of agency, disrupt systems of oppression, and guide clients through discomfort, with the goal of creating the bold restoration that equity brings. This work is fundamental to the community we want to build. Rise LWP is committed to striving for equity in all of its work, including in partnership with Historic Seattle.