Development Writer

Information about the organization

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is a federally chartered, nonpartisan institution that was created by the US Congress to serve as America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and an educational institution dedicated to the history and lessons of the Holocaust. The Museum seeks to educate Americans from all 50 states and all walks of life as well as international audiences. The Museum has three areas of expertise: Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust scholarship and education, and genocide prevention.

In carrying out its important memorial and educational mission, the Museum is guided by its institutional values for our workplace: Honor the memory of the victims; carry out our work with dignity, humility, integrity and respect for others; and strive for excellence through teamwork, rigor, and a culture of continuous learning. Consistent respect for others is the foundation for trust, collegiality and inclusion.

Information about the role and the office:

This position is located in the Office of Development. The Office of Development is responsible for raising funds from the private sector to support the Museum’s programs and operations.  

The incumbent will work as a member of the Campaign and Restricted Giving Team to raise institutional funds and major restricted gifts toward achieving the Development Office’s Campaign and fiscal year goals and Museum priority needs. The position reports to the Director of Campaign and Restricted Giving. 

This is a full-time donated position (non-Federal) paid with the Museum’s private funds. Salary is commensurate with experience.

 Duties, and Responsibilities for the role 

• Creates restricted gifts proposals, letters of inquiry, and proposals and reports cover letters.
• Drafts and updates key Development documents including shelf-ready proposals and customized restricted proposals.
• Leads the drafting of applications for select major foundations and other prospects and donors including strategy and funding options, letters of inquiry, proposal production, editing and reviewing applications and supplementary information, and direct contact with Major Gift Officers and the Program Office.
• Ensures that recognition and benefits are created for all fundraising proposals and Museum publications contain current and appropriate donor recognition in collaboration with the Director of Donor Relations.
• Liaises with Program colleagues to set the drafting process in motion for reports. Reviews and edits reports and drafts report cover letters.
• Drafts Development policies and procedures, and reviews and edits department-wide policies and procedures, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications for the role 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of relevant work experience.
• 2+ years of grant writing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to secure foundation, corporate and private donor grants.
• Broad knowledge of non-profit fundraising and grant making processes.
• Demonstrated skills in effective verbal communications, team work, and project management to serve as a key point of contact for communications with Major Gift Officers and Museum-wide offices as well as major donors and prospects.
• Highly developed skills in written communications to write and edit restricted gift proposals, stewardship reports, and related documents, and to manage primary development communication and proposal writing.
• Knowledge of computer technology to devise methods to automate reports, develop and maintain databases, and make presentations.
• Proven ability to interpret and adapt policies in accordance with specific activities and/or establish courses of action and recommend new guidelines, policies, and procedures, as required. 

Preferred Qualifications for the role 

• Knowledge of the Museum’s overall history, mission, goals, objectives.
• Understanding of the Museum’s needs in relation to internal and external stakeholders. 

Interested applicants must submit their resume, cover letter and original academic or professional writing sample.

Applications that do not include these components will not be considered.