Director of Resource Development

Position Summary:

The Director of Resource Development at the Archaeological Research Institute (ARI) is responsible for leading the organization’s fundraising, resource generation, and donor relations efforts. This role will focus on developing and executing strategies to secure diverse sources of revenue, including grants, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director, the Executive Operations Strategist, and the Board of Directors to identify and engage potential donors, funders, and partners while fostering long-term relationships to ensure ARI’s financial sustainability. The Director of Resource Development will embody ARI’s cultural values of exploration, preservation, research, and education and will work to create a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven environment for all stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Fundraising Strategy & Leadership:
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive resource development strategy that aligns with ARI’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
  • Identify and engage new funding opportunities, including individual donors, foundations, government grants, corporate partnerships, and special event sponsorships.
  • Lead the creation and management of annual fundraising campaigns, capital campaigns, and special initiatives, ensuring they align with ARI’s core values of exploring the past, preserving cultural resources, and educating the public.
  • Build and manage a diverse and effective resource development team, providing leadership and oversight for staff and volunteers while fostering an inclusive environment that reflects ARI’s commitment to collaboration and community.

• Donor Relations & Stewardship:
  • Cultivate relationships with existing and prospective donors and members, ensuring effective communication, stewardship, and engagement that reflects ARI’s commitment to authenticity and transparency in all interactions.
  • Design and oversee programs for donor recognition and appreciation, including thank you letters, events, and personalized communication.
  • Create and maintain a major gifts program, engaging high-level donors and identifying opportunities for increased support while fostering long-term relationships built on trust and shared values.

• Grant Writing & Management:
  • Lead the research, writing, and submission of grant proposals to secure funding from foundations, government agencies, and other funding organizations.
  • Manage the tracking and reporting of grant-funded projects to ensure compliance and timely submission of required reports.
  • Oversee and collaborate with the grant research/writing team, ensuring the development of high-quality, competitive grant proposals and reports.
  • Monitor trends in funding and philanthropy and provide guidance to ARI leadership regarding new opportunities.

• Resource Development Events:
  • Oversee and manage event planning, including working closely with event planners to organize and execute fundraising events, annual galas, donor luncheons, and other initiatives aimed at increasing ARI’s visibility and financial support.
  • Develop event sponsorship opportunities and cultivate relationships with sponsors and partners, ensuring that all events uphold ARI’s values of integrity and educational enrichment.

• Board and Leadership Engagement:
  • Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure active participation in resource development and fundraising efforts that align with ARI’s strategic goals and core values.
  • Provide regular updates to the Board on resource development progress, including financial reports, strategies, and achievements.

• Budgeting & Financial Reporting:
  • Take a leadership roll with the finance team to create and manage the resource development budget, ensuring alignment with ARI’s financial goals and priorities while prioritizing the ethical management of funds in alignment with our commitment to stewardship.
  • Monitor fundraising outcomes and track progress toward financial goals, adjusting strategies as needed.
  • Establish annual department strategic financial goals for diverse funding sources

• Strategic Relationship Management:
  • Organize and facilitate meet-and-greet opportunities between high-net-worth donors, potential corporate sponsors, and the Executive Team, ensuring these interactions align with the organization’s strategic goals and fundraising efforts.
  • Develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations, to secure long-term financial support.
  • Work closely with the Executive Team to identify and create new opportunities for engagement, ensuring these interactions are meaningful and aligned with ARI’s mission.
  • Attend and represent ARI at public and networking events to identify and drive awareness of ARI in the community and the region

• Strategic Revenue Generation:
  • Partner with the leadership team to strategically design and drive revenue-generating experiences that leverage ARI’s programs, events, and initiatives.
  • Take a leadership role in creating innovative fundraising models, including membership programs, corporate partnerships, and specialized events that appeal to different donor demographics.
  • Analyze emerging trends in philanthropy and nonprofit funding, working with the leadership team to adapt and capitalize on these trends to ensure sustained and diversified revenue streams.

• Innovative Fundraising Initiatives:
  • Lead the development and execution of new revenue-generating arms of the organization, including but not limited to educational programs, corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and retail opportunities (e.g., the gift shop or ARI Outfitters).
  • Actively seek out opportunities for public-private partnerships, special grants, and other non-traditional funding sources to diversify ARI’s income base and expand its reach.

• Membership Program Oversight:
  • Develop, implement, and manage the membership program as a key tool for building a robust donor pipeline and ensuring long-term financial sustainability for ARI.
  • Create and execute strategies to attract new members while providing an excellent experience that fosters continued engagement and loyalty.
  • Use the membership program to cultivate relationships with new and future donors by identifying and nurturing potential major donors, sponsors, and partners.
  • Design membership tiers and benefits that not only encourage retention but also help transition members into higher levels of giving, eventually leading to major gifts or long-term donor relationships.
  • Regularly evaluate the program’s effectiveness and track member progress through donor pipelines to ensure alignment with broader fundraising strategies and goals.

• CRM & Membership Platforms Management:
  • Oversee the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and membership platforms, ensuring they are properly utilized for effective tracking, communication, and management of donor and member relationships.
  • Ensure all donor and membership data is accurately recorded, managed, and leveraged to enhance engagement, retention, and overall fundraising effectiveness.
  • Work with the technology team to assess and optimize these platforms, ensuring seamless integration with other systems and supporting ARI’s strategic growth and resource development efforts.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) in resource development, fundraising, and donor relations, preferably in a nonprofit or cultural institution environment.
• A strong track record of securing major gifts, grants, and sponsorships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and articulate the organization’s mission and impact in alignment with its values.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with donors, staff, volunteers, and board members.
• Demonstrated success in organizing and managing fundraising events, campaigns, and initiatives.
• Experience with CRM and membership platforms, including data management and leveraging technology to drive engagement and fundraising.
• Knowledge of grant-writing processes and funding landscapes, with the ability to develop competitive proposals and navigate complex reporting requirements.
• Ability to develop and manage budgets and financial forecasts.
• Experience in strategic planning and aligning resource development goals with organizational priorities.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team.
• Proficiency in using fundraising software, donor management systems (e.g., Salesforce), and other office applications (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, etc.).

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, resource development, or a related role.
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising platforms.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and senior leadership.

Work Environment:

This position is based at the Archaeological Research Institute’s office with occasional overnight travel required for donor meetings, site visits, and fundraising events. The Director of Resource Development will be expected to attend evening and weekend events as necessary. This position also encourages work alongside our team of archaeologists out in the field and in the lab.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off (PTO):
  • Four weeks of paid vacation annually.
  • Four paid holidays.
  • One week off at Thanksgiving.
  • One week off at Christmas.
  • Five personal days.
  • Five sick days.
• Retirement Benefits:
  • Contributions to an IRA with a 3% company match.
• Health Insurance:
  • 80/20 health insurance coverage.

Department: Resource Development
Reports To: Executive Director and Executive Operations Strategist
Location: Archaeological Research Institute, 126 W. High St., Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
FLSA Status: Exempt
Compensation Package:

Salary Range: $60,000 plus bonus opportunity

Application Process:

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to humanresources@exploreARI.org