To AppWho We Are
Our Mission
The mission of Travellers Rest Historic House Museum, Inc. (Travellers Rest) is preserving and interpreting the Overton home and landscape and serving as a gateway for learners of all ages to explore and experience Nashville’s historic past.
Our Story
Nashville’s oldest historic house open to the public, Travellers Rest has been an integral part of the Nashville and Middle Tennessee museum community for over fifty years. Saved from demolition in 1954 by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Tennessee, the historic house, built originally in 1799, was restored to interpret the early 19th century life of Judge John Overton, one of the state's first Supreme Court Justices, one of the founders of Memphis, and a close personal friend of Andrew Jackson.
Over the past half-century, the site's interpretive and educational mission has evolved and expanded to include almost 1,000 years of cultural development of the mid-Cumberland Basin, from the area's prehistoric origins as a Mississippian-era settlement, to Nashville as an outpost on America's first frontier, politics during the Age of Jackson, slavery, the Civil War and the city's emergence as a leading capital of the New South.
Today, Travellers Rest, a National Register property, is recognized as a model of preservation excellence. Visitors can tour the house, peek into historic outbuildings, stroll through the eight-acre arboretum and gardens, and see award-winning exhibitions about the Civil War and the enslaved people who worked here. Travellers Rest offers a wide variety of educational public programming using interactive and living experiences through field trips, summer camps for children, and the highly successful historic Trades Days Festival.
For more information, please visit our website at www.historictravellersrest.org
The Position
Position Summary
The Director of Development is responsible for all areas of fundraising, donor relations, and special events for Travellers Rest. He/she works closely with the Executive Director as well as with a volunteer Board of Directors.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising
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Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan that raises awareness of and increases funding streams for the organization.
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Create and execute an annual fund campaign.
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Research and develop a membership program.
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Oversee production of collateral materials for development efforts, including appeal letters, annual report, and invitations for donor cultivation events.
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Research, draft, and submit foundation and other specific grants as mutually agreed upon with Executive Director.
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Create sponsorship packages for major fundraising events and seek sponsors.
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Assist with management of Kindful donor database.
Cultivation
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Create and implement a major gifts strategy focused on long-term donor retention. Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors through coordination of personal visits and various types of direct communication. Meet with major donors and community leaders. Actively cultivate giving from individuals as unrestricted gifts and initiate active follow-up efforts. Utilize best practices to identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors and friends of Travellers Rest.
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Maintain contact with capital campaign donors, foundations, and descendants providing updates on programmatic and preservation work.
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Work with Board committees and staff to plan and execute cultivation events and fundraising events, including acting as a liaison with a potential young generation committee.
Time Commitments
Benefits
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10 days paid vacation; 4 personal/sick days
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5 paid holidays as well as paid time off from December 24-January 1
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50% employer-paid health insurance plan for employees and spouse/family
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403b retirement plan available after 6 months of service
Salary
Salary range of $65,000-$75,000 depending on experience.
The Candidate
Experience & Qualifications
Travellers Rest seeks an experienced development professional with demonstrated leadership in a non-profit setting. This includes fund development, experience running a membership program, grant writing and management, planned giving, community outreach, and working with the Board of Directors.
Professional Characteristics
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Graduation from an accredited university with a bachelor’s degree; advanced degree and/or CFRE, ACFRE, certificate in fundraising or non-profit management a plus.
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3-5 years of experience in advancement.
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Working knowledge of nonprofit fundraising policies and procedures.
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Working knowledge of nonprofit fiscal management, including fund accounting and budgeting and a track record for being fiscally responsible is desired.
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Demonstrated ability in public speaking, written and oral communication, and outstanding interpersonal relations.
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Experience in grant writing procedures.
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Must maintain a valid driver’s license and wireless service in order to carry out the responsibilities associated with the position.
Personal Characteristics
The candidate must have an understanding of the mission of Travellers Rest and the Nashville community to effectively support the programs and services that the historic site provides. The individual will be outgoing, highly proactive, capable of quickly identifying critical issues and developing plans and programs to accomplish objectives. Strong organizational skills are required, and exemplary interpersonal and written communication skills are essential. The successful candidate must be self-motivated, intuitive, and willing to take initiative. The successful candidate will display a level of integrity, maturity, compassion, and a leadership style that will create trust and confidence. The candidate must be energetic, positive, intelligent, with a strong sense of team to help grow the organization.
To Apply:
Send a CV and cover letter to director@trhousemuseum.org.
