Director of Development

Director of Development

Location: Hybrid with statewide travel

Reports to: Executive Director

Status: Full-time, Exempt

ABOUT US

Mass Humanities is a private nonprofit foundation that creates opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth. Based in the gateway city of Holyoke and charged with impacting our entire state, we provide funding, partnerships, and support for organizations who serve their neighbors through local programs. From museums to filmmakers, libraries to community organizers, our network is diverse and growing. At this critical moment, Mass Humanities remains committed to our values and determined to uplift storytellers and public spaces dedicated to the common good.

Since 1974, Mass Humanities has served as one of 56 state and territorial affiliates of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the federal agency dedicated to increasing access to knowledge and culture. Despite being one of the best resourced humanities councils in the nation, we continue to reenvision our model following the termination of our federal funding in 2025. Rather than retreating, we believe we have a unique opportunity to redefine how the humanities can benefit more people in Massachusetts.

Our key initiatives include the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street partnership, the Expand Massachusetts Stories grantmaking initiative, the Reading Frederick Douglass Together program, and the Clemente Course in the Humanities. Since 2020, we have delivered $10 million in grants to Massachusetts nonprofits.

Mass Humanities is entering one of the most pivotal moments in our history. At a time when communities across the country are searching for connection, meaning, and renewal, we are determined to build something more necessary than ever.

The Director of Development will play a defining role in this evolution. This is a rare opportunity to raise transformational support for a vital organization pivoting toward a bold future. With growing partnerships in public media and government, a statewide network of grantees, and a reputation for amplifying underrepresented voices, Mass Humanities is poised for philanthropic growth. We seek a fundraising leader ready to deliver.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Development is a relationship-centered fundraiser who will help shape the next chapter of Mass Humanities by building and strengthening our base of individual supporters. Reporting directly to the ED, you will cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with donors who believe in the power of storytelling to connect us to our past and each other through the humanities. We seek a hard-working, creative, and responsive individual who is fluent in fundraising and driven to increase resources for the arts and humanities.

This role focuses on identifying and securing mid-level major gifts ($5,000–$50,000), stewarding our current supporters and board members, and cultivating new donors through engagement with our leadership and programs across the commonwealth. You will act as a statewide ambassador for Mass Humanities, attending events, making visits, and communicating regularly to connect individuals to the ways that the humanities can thrive in Massachusetts.

A thought partner for the Executive Director, the Director of Development supervises a Development Manager (database management, mailings, event production, and board meeting coordination) and a contract grant-writer (identifying, writing, submitting proposals and reporting for corporate and foundation support). The Director of Development is part of the management team alongside the Director of Finance and Administration and the Director of Grants and Programs.

Your typical work week might include attending a Reading Frederick Douglass Together event with a donor and following up on their experiences; crafting an appeal letter; proposing and scheduling meetings between the Executive Director and a prospect; reviewing recent gifts to ensure prompt, thoughtful acknowledgement; cross-checking databases with Finance Department; leading a board fundraising committee; collaborating with colleagues on a quarterly calendar of events and a suite of original content aimed at attracting audiences, highlighting the power of the humanities, and providing development opportunities.

This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious fundraiser who wants to be part of building something new: a public humanities infrastructure equipped for the challenges—and possibilities—of this moment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship (50%)

• Build and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with mid-level major gift potential
• Cultivate meaningful relationships that apply storytelling, listening, and shared vision to connect with individual supporters
• Develop personalized cultivation strategies in partnership with the ED that engage donors with Mass Humanities programs and events in their regions.
• Steward current donors with compelling messaging that illustrates the impact of our civic storytelling programs
• Hold regular donor meetings, visits, calls, and tailored follow-ups
• Identify, research, and qualify new prospects, including high-net-worth individuals
• Secure 5 or more mid-level major gifts ($25,000–$50,000) annually
• Work with the ED to craft and execute major gift solicitation strategies
• Act as staff lead to the Development & Events Committee of the Board of Directors, manage quarterly committee meetings and report to the Board as needed.

Development Operations & Collaboration (35%)

• Create department annual plan in collaboration with Executive Director, recommending goals, objectives, and performance metrics. Monitor and report on progress throughout the year
• Collaborate with Communications Manager on donor materials (briefings, proposals, case statements) that articulate our new narrative and infrastructure vision.
• Manage department budget and coordinate with Finance function on periodic budget review and forecasting, and development-related financial reporting.
• Maintain department systems and processes and related procedural. documentation, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Supervise moves management and accuracy in the Little Green Light donor database.
• Supervise a contract grant-writer and Development Manager.
• Support corporate/foundation strategy and proposal development.
• Supervise direct-mail campaigns.

Events & Community Engagement (15%)

• Represent the organization at cultural gatherings, conferences, and community conversations across the state, with particular emphasis on expanding our network in metro Boston.
• Design intimate donor experiences (private receptions, visits to cultural institutions with leadership, events held at the Holyoke headquarters) that highlight storytelling, community work, and civic dialogue in authentic ways.
• Support planning and implementation for larger events that provide opportunities for donor cultivation and stewardship.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 2+ years of demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting individual donors
• A genuine passion for the humanities, storytelling, civic engagement, or community-rooted cultural work
• Experience securing gifts of $10,000+
• Comfort communicating with and building trust among high-net-worth individuals
• Commitment to being a respectful, supportive member of a diverse staff and board
• Experience using donor database software
• Experience collaborating with non-profit board
• Ability to travel statewide for donor meetings and events
• Self-directed, detail-oriented project manager who can lead relationships over time

Preferred

• Experience closing gifts in the $25,000–$50,000 range
• Knowledge of Massachusetts philanthropic landscape
• Experience in fundraising for cultural institutions or higher education
• Spanish-language skills
• Experience in high-performing development environments
• Existing donor relationships or networks in arts, culture, civic engagement, or public media
• Comfort working within an evolving organizational model

We encourage candidates who meet many—but not necessarily all—qualifications to apply. We value transferable skills, community experience, and passion for our mission.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

• Hybrid or flexible work arrangement - 1 day per week / total 6 days per month at Holyoke office.
• Statewide travel required, occasional evenings and weekends
• Supportive, collaborative staff culture
• Professional development opportunities
• Salary range: $110,000-$125,000
• Generous benefits package (family health coverage, professional development, 401k)

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES

We value many voices in our decision-making processes, operations, evaluation and programs.

We value opportunities for connection where we learn, experience, and share in the richness of the Commonwealth.

We value systems and structures that create equitable access to opportunities connected to the humanities.

We value the strength of multiple perspectives to tell a more complete story of the Commonwealth.

EEOC STATEMENT

Mass Humanities is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and value diversity across race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, and lived experience.

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQ+ candidates, first-generation professionals, rural applicants, and others who bring diverse perspectives to the humanities.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé to jobs@masshumanities.org with “Development Director” in the subject line.

• Hybrid or flexible work arrangement - 1 day per week / total 6 days per month at Holyoke office.
• Generous benefits package (family health coverage, professional development, 401k)