Director, Schomburg Centennial Fundraising (Temporary)

Department: Development

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: 270 Madison Avenue

Reporting To: Jadrien Steele

Compensation: $155,000 - $165,000 / year

Description

Overview

The New York Public Library is seeking to hire a dynamic and seasoned development professional to serve as the Director of Schomburg Centennial Fundraising. The Director of Schomburg Centennial Fundraising will actively drive the fundraising goals for the Schomburg Center in Research in Black Culture’s centennial celebration. They will serve as the primary steward and solicitor of major gifts for the Schomburg Center, working closely with Development and Schomburg Center staff and as a key manager of information and communication between departments.

As one of the foremost public research libraries and cultural institutions in the world, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture collects, preserves, shares, and interprets the global Black experience. For its centennial celebration, with the majority of activities planned from May 2025 and May 2026, the Library has identified a $20 million fundraising goal to support acquisitions, exhibitions, programs, events, and a gala and to establish secure funding foundations for the future. The Director of Schomburg Centennial Fundraising will play a pivotal role in meeting these goals, deepening the involvement of donors, and executing this significant milestone. This is a temporary position through June 30, 2026.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own :

• Major gift fundraising for the Schomburg Center’s centennial

Teach :

• Donors and prospects about the Schomburg Center and its impact

Learn:

• The priorities and internal landscapes of the Schomburg Center

Improve :

• Initiative-driven fundraising for the Schomburg Center

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month , this person will:

• Have spent the majority of their time at the Schomburg Center, meeting their colleagues and understanding the needs and priorities of the centennial

3 months , this person will:

• Have arranged and completed 40 donor visits with Schomburg Center prospects and donors

• Have developed fundraising materials for the Schomburg Center’s priorities

6 months and beyond , this person will:

• Have secured 20 gifts and/or pledges for the Schomburg Center

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Development, the Schomburg Center, and leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan for major donors and prospects for the Schomburg Center’s centennial

• Serve as Development’s project manager for the centennial and point of contact with stakeholders at the Schomburg Center and across the Library

• Support Development teams’ fundraising, including membership, individual giving, events, and institutional giving

• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward of a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects to meet fundraising goals

• Advance donor relationships through in-person visits and bespoke engagement opportunities

• Initiating contact from prospect status, development of appropriate cultivation strategies, moving donors and potential donors to close and/or upgrade gifts, making face-to-face solicitations, maintaining stewardship contacts, and forging relationships with new major gift prospects with the capacity to make six to seven figure gifts

• Draft briefings and proposals for donor meetings

• Perform other related duties as necessary

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

Bachelor's degree, preferably with a Liberal Arts or Humanities background

Required Experience

• 7-10 years of Development experience including major gift solicitation experience in a fast-paced complex institution.

• A proven, successful track record of closing six and seven figure gifts with a goal of attaining eight figures as well.

• Strong track record of partnering with program staff to build donor relationships and foster long-term philanthropic support.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated proficiency of metrics-driven fundraising methods

• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to form strategic relationships with high net worth individuals

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong knowledge of both new and traditional major gift fundraising systems & strategies

• Proficient experience using Raiser’s Edge or other comparable CRM programs

• Demonstrated flexibility, reliability, and tact

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

More...

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues

• Be Resourceful in solving problems

• Be Curious in all aspects of your work

• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Office setting - at the Schomburg Center in Harlem and the Development office in midtown Manhattan

Physical Duties

• N/A

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

No

Union/Non Union

Non-Union

FLSA Status

Exempt

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 9 am-5pm and evening and weekends as needed

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).