Formed in 1998, the Battleship Texas Foundation (BTF) exists today as an advocate for Battleship Texas to help develop the historic ship into a premier hands-on museum and visitor attraction.
The Battleship Texas Foundation is currently working on the following preservation efforts and educational outreach programs, to name just a few:
- Completing repairs/ restoration to the Battleship Texas in a Galveston shipyard.
- Working with the Port of Galveston to locate a new home port for the ship.
- Fully restoring the ship’s anti-aircraft guns and secondary battery
- Increasing public awareness of Battleship Texas, her history, and the men who served on her, as well as her current and future preservation needs
- Partnering with local museums and organizations to continue displaying Battleship Texas artifacts and educational materials while the ship is being repaired.
Overview: In collaboration with the Board of Directors, President/CEO, and senior leadership staff, the VP of Development will be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive fund development program, including annual giving, major donors, foundation and corporate initiatives, and management of special projects, to generate funds for operations; continue and bring to completion the current capital campaign which has raised approximately $7 million of a 15 million goal and generate significant philanthropic support for the Battleship’s education programs and restoration.
The position reports directly to the President/CEO.
Responsibilities:
Fundraising
- Lead efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual, major, and planned gift donors and prospective donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
- Represent BTF to the community, including presentations to potential donors and community organizations and accompanying tours of the Battleship Texas, as needed.
- Prepare local and regional grant submissions and maintain proposal timelines, tracking, and reporting.
- Optimize BTF’s existing direct mail campaign to increase annual fund revenue
- Utilize information systems to maintain donor relationships, track donor progress, and evaluate the fundraising program’s success.
- Oversee donor stewardship/recognition activities.
- Manage effective engagement and communication with current and prospective donors, including letters, event invitations, website updates, and social media.
- Establish and oversee policies and procedures for a professional development program.
- Working with the President/CEO and the Board on the current Capital Campaign for significant restoration and visitor experience improvements to the Battleship.
Management and Administration
- Develop, maintain, and update a fundraising strategic plan with the assistance of the president/CEO and board of directors.
- Create and oversee annual fundraising revenue and expense budgets.
- Prepare monthly status reports for Board and/or Development Committee meetings. Assist in finding and qualifying new Board members.
- Assists the President/CEO with Board recruitment, training, and development. Manages membership services and develops the membership database.
- Manage the growing Development Team, which currently has a Development Manager and a part-time data entry person.
- Serve as the media liaison for the BTF.
Qualifications:
- A passion for the mission of the Battleship Texas Foundation, historical preservation, education programming, and a visionary understanding of the Battleship’s potential as a major attraction.
- A minimum of 3-7 years of successful fundraising and/or marketing experience is preferred to those with major gift experience.
- Strong organizational abilities with experience in financial management, program development, and project management.
- Demonstrated experience and success with fundraising and desire to lead the implementation of comprehensive, collaborative fundraising plans.
- Demonstrated ability to establish effective relationships with diverse community stakeholders and interested citizens.
- The ability to gather and synthesize information and turn it into a compelling case statement. Ability to effectively communicate the Museum’s mission and goals to current and prospective donors and stakeholders.
- Strong writing, public speaking, and media skills.
- Experience with nonprofit boards of directors.
- Highly self-motivated to take on new challenges.
- Preferred:
- Experience in either historic preservation, museums, or military history.
- Knowledge and use of Blackbaud Altru or Razor’s Edge fundraising platforms and wealth intelligence/prospect-building software such as Wealth Engine.
- CFRE certification.
- Demonstrated successful grant writing and submission experience.
Compensation: $90,000 to $125,000 commensurate with experience, Full-time salaried position, Competitive benefits provided.