Careers

ABOUT KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION

The Kentucky Historical Society Foundation is a fundraising organization with its own board of directors that provides financial support for programming to the Kentucky Historical Society. Foundation activities include creation and implementation of a comprehensive development plan to include activities ranging from the annual Fund for KHS and honorary and memorial gift programs to the Kentucky History Half Marathon.

THE OPPORTUNITY

KHSF is seeking a strategic, creative, adaptable, and confident self-starter to lead the Foundation through growth and impact in the Commonwealth. A successful Foundation Director will be energized by the opportunity to create a renewed development program that supports the mission of the Kentucky Historical Society, to deepen the engagement with supporters of all kinds, and to raise awareness of the Kentucky Historical Society, working with a team dedicated to its mission.

CANDIDATE PROFILE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Foundation Director will provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the philanthropic efforts in support of the Kentucky Historical Society’s mission, programs, and services. They will be able to digest and synthesize multiple funding needs, then implement a comprehensive development program that expands private support of the Kentucky Historical Society.

The development program will engage both current and next-generation supporters in annual and campaign-specific fundraising plans. These plans, developed in partnership with the KHS Executive Director and leadership team, will utilize programs such as The Fund for KHS (annual fund); major, planned, corporate, and foundation giving; and stewardship/ fundraising events.

The Foundation Director will have administrative responsibility for daily operations. The Foundation Director is employed by the KHSF Board of Directors, but will work collaboratively as a member of the KHS leadership team under the direction of the KHS Executive Director, who serves as KHSF Secretary. All will be responsible for meeting specific, measurable fundraising goals in support of the care and acquisition of new historical collections, the cultivation and publication of historical research, and activities promoting Kentucky history education.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Strategy & Plan: Working with the KHS Foundation Board and KHS leadership team, create and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising plan inclusive of corporate giving, foundation giving, individual donor giving, grants, membership, planned giving (i.e., bequests), events, and other potential revenue- generating income. Oversee development and implementation of stewardship strategies across campaigns to include acknowledgements, annual endowment reports to fund donors, and necessary engagement activities; work with administrative staff to manage donor activities, including oversight for the receipt and acknowledgement of donations and collection of pledges, ensuring that donor intentions are honored.

Supporter Engagement and Cultivation: In collaboration with the KHS team, the Foundation Director will be responsible for cultivating and engaging KHS supporters, including the Foundation board, donors and grantors of all kind, and prospects.

Donor/Membership: Collaborate in the implementation of a donor/membership model inclusive of existing benefits and audiences and looking ahead to future audience needs; the Foundation Director will be responsible for increasing the reach and number of donor/members and assist in managing annual renewals year over year.

Relationship Management: The Foundation Director will be the primary point of contact and entry to donor contacts and programs; the Foundation Director will be responsible for maintaining accurate donor records through effective data management strategies, such as updating and maintaining all records in the constituent management system, Altru, in partnership with Foundation staff.

Development Messaging & Reports: Work in partnership with the KHS program managers and KHS Marketing Communications Director to establish strategic and engaging messages and create donor packages for philanthropic opportunities in addition to directing reporting needs for all public and private funds. This includes message creation for use by KHS existing and would-be ambassadors.

Budget: The Foundation Director will manage a development budget annually and allocate funds according to the needs for the year.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will be self-directed in seeking programmatic funds in support of the priorities and strategies set by the Kentucky Historical Society. Ideal qualifications include:

• Demonstrated development experience with a particular focus on identifying and successfully pursuing both private and public funding opportunities. While a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) is preferred, we are looking for successful execution in previous roles.
• Success in non-profit board management and engagement, campaign leadership, major gifts, planned giving, implementing new and innovative strategies, and leadership.
• Effective communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to successfully engage leadership, prospects, donors, and constituents across the Commonwealth.
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of Kentucky communities
• Experience with oversight and management of a donor database.
• At least 4 years of experience in the development field with a knowledge of the local, regional, and national fundraising landscape.
• A passion for the KHS mission, love of Kentucky history, and the ability to effectively communicate passion for the KHS mission to various constituencies.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Kentucky Historical Society is prepared to offer a base salary in the range of $100,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience, and a competitive benefits package including a bonus opportunity based upon performance.

Kentucky Historical Society Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, people who are differently-abled, women, veterans, and LGBTQIA+ applicants. The Kentucky Historical Society Foundation celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

APPLY HERE:  https://ashleyrountree.recruitpro.com/jobs/286892-41699.html

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) Museum Programs Team seeks an outgoing and collaborative colleague to join us in helping students engage with Kentucky’s history. The Museum Programs Coordinator will join a creative and energetic team where they will help grow Kentucky’s chapter of National History Day, the ultimate history-centered, inquiry-inspired, project-based learning experience for students in grades 4 to 12. Through the creation of exhibits, websites, documentaries, performances, and papers, National History Day in Ky (NHDKy) provides experiences that promote an understanding and appreciation for the use of history to build critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and presentation skills -- all skills that benefit them both inside and outside of the classroom.

This position will also work with the other members of the Learning Team to offer museum tours, outreach, programs, and special events. Students travel from all over to visit our three museum sites – the Kentucky Military History Museum, the Old State Capitol, and the Kentucky History Center – to learn about Kentucky’s past. The Museum Programs Coordinator will guide school groups and deliver educational programming in an exciting way. When done successfully, the work of the Museum Programs Coordinator provides a positive experience for students and teachers, wanting them to come back for more.

The Kentucky Historical Society:

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), formed in 1836, is an agency in Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet.  The KHS campus has three sites in historic downtown Frankfort:  The Old State Capitol; the Kentucky Military History Museum; and the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History serving as KHS headquarters with a signature museum, exhibits, library, research facilities, object and archival collections, museum store, and more.  KHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has full American Alliance of Museums accreditation.

To learn more about the Kentucky Historical Society, visit history.ky.gov

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Coordinate National History Day in Kentucky, a student outreach program:

• Organize multiple regional contests and one statewide contest that showcases student projects.  This includes managing the online registration system, logistics, vendors, judges, volunteers, and participants.
• Maintain relationships with colleges and universities, local history organizations, school districts, and museums to support the program with teacher recruitment, contest space, judge recruitment, and project development.
• Arrange an experience for the national contest participants in June that includes a guided trip to Washington, D.C.
• Meet requirements for existing grants that fund NHD activities and support efforts to find new grants as needed.

Coordinate programs delivered to the student and teacher audience:

• Use inquiry-based learning practices to provide outreach lessons in K-12 schools that coincide with best practices in Social Studies education and compliance with Kentucky Academic Standards in Social Studies.
• Provide opportunities such as field trips and museum experiences that allow students to interpret and investigate Kentucky’s past at our three museum sites.
• Work with the Teacher Resources Manager to offer professional development workshops and provide educational resources to teachers.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of professional experience in a museum, history center, library, school, or other related institution, preferably working with students and/or teachers, along with experience planning and facilitating programs and events.
• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in history, education, communication, event management, or a related field is required.
• Specialized Knowledge: Basic knowledge of Kentucky history and new educational trends is preferred.  Previous engagement with the National History Day program is not necessary but is a plus.
• Skills: Basic internet, word processing, database management, spreadsheets, and email competency required. Professional customer service abilities.
• Abilities: Write and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences including teachers, students, parents, staff, volunteers, and vendors. Has high attention to detail with the ability to organize files and multiple projects at once and complete them in a timely manner. Has demonstrated success at relationship building in different communities and with diverse stakeholders with both existing partners and new ones.
• Other Characteristics: Personable nature and a high degree of comfort speaking in front of large audiences. Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Physical Demands:  Must be able to remain stationary (sitting or standing) for long periods. This position will travel between the KHS campus of three separate museums – the Kentucky Military History Museum, the Old State Capitol, and the Kentucky History Center – all located in downtown Frankfort within a .25-mile radius.
• Work Schedule: The position works on a regular Monday-to-Friday schedule, 37.5 hours per week, but must be willing to work some Saturdays, evenings, and holidays and travel to help support the mission, programs, and special events of the Kentucky Historical Society.
• Location: The primary office for this position is located at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History at 100 W. Broadway in downtown Frankfort.
• Probational Period:  This job has an initial probationary period of six (6) months.

DIRECT REPORTS:  None.

For a complete position description, click HERE.

This is a full-time position located in Frankfort, KY that reports to the Teacher Resources Manager. This is an unclassified (non-merit) position pursuant to KRS 18A.115(1)(u). The annual salary for this position is $37,028.64. Benefits include health and life insurance, 401k retirement plan, deferred compensation plan options, optional dental and vision insurance, monthly accrued vacation and sick leave, and holiday pay.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume via email to khshr@ky.gov. No telephone calls will be accepted. The deadline for submissions is Friday, June 21, 2024. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. 

KHS is an agency of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KHS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, ancestry, age, disability, political affiliation, genetic information, or veteran status in accordance with state and federal laws.