Foot Soldiers Park (FSP) is pleased to announce its search to find a Director of Development to lead the organization’s fundraising efforts.
About Foot Soldiers Park
Foot Soldiers Park (FSP) is a nonprofit organization on a mission to fuel the civil rights movement of the past, present, and future as a means to achieve racial justice, economic prosperity, and liberty for all. Located in Selma, Alabama, the organization was founded in 2021 by co-founders Ms. Jo Ann Bland, a Selma native, foot soldier, and lifelong civil rights activist, and CEO Kimberly Smitherman.
Foot Soldiers Park’s work focuses on five areas of impact: Historic Preservation, Youth Engagement, Civic Education and Engagement, Building Wealth, and Whole Self Health. Through our immersive programs, we preserve Selma’s civil rights history, equip residents with knowledge, skills, and resources, prepare youth to lead, and create pathways to economic mobility and prosperity.
Central to our mission is the development of the Foot Soldiers Park Historic Memorial and Community Hub, a transformative campus that will catalyze living-wage jobs, increase civic participation, grow tourism, and shift how philanthropic resources are leveraged to advance Selma’s Black community and youth. To learn more, visit https://footsoldierspark.org.
Position Overview
Foot Soldiers Park seeks an experienced, relationship‑driven Director of Development to lead our fundraising efforts and build a comprehensive development infrastructure from the ground up. This is a high‑impact leadership role for a seasoned development professional who brings both strategic vision and hands‑on execution skills to grow sustainable giving programs.
Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Development will:
- Design and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy that supports long‑term organizational sustainability and revenue growth.
- Build systems, processes, and a small but high‑performing team to support annual fundraising goals of approximately 3 million, growing toward 4 million annually over time.
- Lead multi‑channel fundraising efforts across individual, institutional, corporate, and government funders, including major gifts and grants.
- Support the planning and execution of a multi‑year capital campaign for FSP’s Historic Memorial and Community Hub by partnering with external campaign counsel and internal leadership.
This role is ideal for a self‑motivated “builder” who thrives in entrepreneurial environments, is highly organized, and is deeply committed to civil rights, racial justice, community and people‑centered values.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy and Leadership
- Develop, implement, and oversee a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy and action plan to grow revenue toward 4M annually.
- Establish and strengthen FSP’s fundraising infrastructure, including systems, processes, policies, and best practices.
- Design and manage a multi‑channel fundraising program encompassing individual giving (annual fund, major gifts, planned giving), foundation, government, and corporate grants, and donor campaigns tied to organizational priorities.
- Lead online and digital fundraising, including email campaigns and social‑media‑driven giving initiatives.
- Support the development and implementation of a multi‑year capital campaign to fund campus construction in partnership with a campaign consultant and FSP leadership.
- Collaborate with the CEO, program staff, and communications consultants to develop compelling cases for support, impact stories, and solicitation materials.
- Monitor and report fundraising progress, analyze data to inform strategy, and adjust tactics based on performance.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and ethical fundraising standards.
- Stay current on nonprofit fundraising trends and best practices, incorporating innovative approaches where appropriate.
Donor Cultivation and Relationship Management
- Build and manage a dynamic portfolio of individual, corporate, and institutional donors and prospects with personalized cultivation and solicitation plans.
- Develop and grow a pipeline of major gifts from new and existing high‑net‑worth donors and prospects through research, networking, events, and relationship‑building activities.
- Lead the selection, implementation, and optimization of a donor database/CRM and use data to inform donor strategies and decision‑making.
- Design and manage donor cultivation, stewardship, and retention strategies across channels (events, digital communications, direct outreach, etc.).
- Partner with the CEO and Board to engage senior leadership in fundraising activities, including major gift solicitations and funder relationship management.
- Oversee systems for timely donor acknowledgments and fulfillment of donor benefits to increase donor satisfaction and retention.
Grants Writing and Funder Management
- Lead all aspects of the grants program, including prospect research, proposal and LOI development, applications, reporting, and relationship management..
- Develop and maintain a grants calendar to track deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal opportunities.
Team Leadership and Collaboration
- Develop and maintain a grants calendar to track deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal opportunities.
- Provide clear goals, coaching, and performance management to ensure alignment with FSP’s mission, values, and strategic direction.
- Collaborate closely with program, finance, and communications teams to ensure fundraising efforts are integrated with organizational priorities and impact.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will bring many of the following experiences and qualities:
- 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience in nonprofit organizations, with demonstrated success raising funds from multiple revenue channels.
- Proven track record of managing or growing an annual fundraising program of 2M or more, with experience working toward higher revenue goals.
- Demonstrated experience in donor cultivation, major gift solicitation, and stewardship across individual, corporate, and foundation sectors.
- Strong grant writing skills and experience managing a portfolio of government, foundation, and corporate funders.
- Experience participating in or leading capital campaigns at the seven‑figure level or higher.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects from conception through completion while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and keeping teams informed and engaged.
- Proficiency with CRM and fundraising platforms such as Bloomerang or comparable systems, and a data‑informed approach to fundraising.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, with strong strategic listening skills and the ability to exercise tact, discretion, judgment, and diplomacy.
- Leadership experience, including motivating, developing, and managing multidisciplinary teams and collaborating effectively with senior leaders and boards.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including underrepresented communities.
- Deep commitment to racial justice, civil rights, the importance of civil rights history, and equity-centered values aligned with Foot Soldiers Park’s mission.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, public administration, business, social sciences).!
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or active pursuit of CFRE.
- Experience with capital campaign planning and execution, ideally with external campaign counsel.
- Familiarity with philanthropic landscapes focused on civil rights, civic engagement, racial justice, Southern communities, historic/cultural preservation, creative placemaking, and historically underserved populations.
- Prior experience working with grassroots and social justice‑oriented organizations is a plus.
Compensation, Work Details and Benefits
- Salary Range – $100,000 to $125,000 annually, commensurate with experience and location
- Employment Type – Full-Time
- Reports To – Chief Executive Officer
- Location – Remote; candidates based in the South or major philanthropic hubs preferred
- Travel – Required for donor meetings, campaign events, and site visits to Selma, AL
- Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, generous holiday, vacation, and leave benefits
How to Apply
- Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a resume.
- A substantive cover letter describing their fundraising experience, specific revenue results (annual and major gifts, grants, campaigns), and alignment with FSP’s mission.
- Please email materials to [email protected] with “FSP DD” in the subject line.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Foot Soldiers Park is an equal opportunity employer. Having a diverse staff is a fundamental principle of the organization. Employment, development, and promotion opportunities are based on individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Selma, AL 36702
