Development Manager

Organization Overview

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library (KVML) started with an idea in 2008 to commemorate Vonnegut’s legacy and offered gallery tours in 1,000 square feet of donated space on Senate Avenue in Indianapolis in 2011. In 2019, through the generosity of donors and supporters, KVML was able to purchase 543 Indiana Ave–dubbed as “Kurt’s Forever Home.” The mission of the museum is to champion the legacy of Kurt Vonnegut by championing the principles of free expression and common decency.

KVML achieves this mission in part through its physical museum, located on Indiana
Avenue (the Avenue), the historic Black cultural center of Indianapolis. The museum focuses on exhibits about Vonnegut’s life, philosophy, works, and influences as well as the history of its location on the Avenue. The museum welcomes thousands of guests each year, holds arts and cultural events for the public, and hosts private events.

In coordination with its physical museum, KVML also champions for free speech and expression through its advocacy against book banning and its Youth Writing Centers. KVML hosts Banned Books Week in Indianapolis, distributes hundreds of banned books to areas where they are banned, and partners with authors who have experienced book banning. Additionally, KVML partners with the four Indianapolis Public School High Schools to fund and facilitate onsite youth writing centers. In addition to these youth writing centers, KVML frequently holds writing workshops for veterans, people experiencing mental health challenges, and the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated.

Position Summary

The Development Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing all fundraising activities, with a strong focus on building board fundraising capacity and driving individual giving, grants, and events. The ideal candidate has demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising, particularly in cultivating donor relationships, managing major gifts, and equipping board members with the skills and confidence to achieve their fundraising responsibilities.

This is a hybrid position based in Indianapolis, Indiana, requiring on-site presence for events, meetings, and board engagement. If you are qualified and interested, please send your resumé and three professional references to info@vonnegutlibrary.org.

Position Specifics

Fundraising Strategy and Implementation (40%)

• Design and execute an annual fundraising plan aligned with KVML’s strategic goals.
• Manage all individual giving campaigns, including annual appeals, membership renewals, and major donor cultivation.
• Identify, research, and solicit major gift prospects in collaboration with the CEO and board members.
• Write and manage grant applications and reporting and overseas grant writers’ work.
• Oversee the donor database (currently Bloomerang) to ensure accurate gift tracking and acknowledgment.

Board Engagement and Support (40%)

• Partner closely with the Board of Directors to develop and monitor board-driven fundraising goals.
• Provide coaching, tools, and training to board members to increase their comfort and effectiveness in fundraising (e.g., scripting donor asks, stewardship practices, peer-to- peer solicitation techniques).
• Organize quarterly board fundraising workshops or trainings.
• Create individualized fundraising plans for each board member and provide ongoing tracking and encouragement.
• Support the Governance Committee in recruiting board members with strong fundraising potential.

Special Events and Donor Stewardship (15%)

• Plan and manage annual fundraising events (Night of Vonnegut, VonnegutFest, Banned Books Week, Kentucky Derby Party) in collaboration with the Events Committee and volunteers.
• Develop and implement a stewardship program for all donors, including timely thank-you notes, impact reports, and exclusive insider updates.
• Coordinate small cultivation events, tours, and donor appreciation gatherings.

Communications and Collaboration (5%)

• Work with staff to ensure consistent fundraising and related programmatic messaging across all platforms (website, social media, print materials).
• Attend and represent KVML at key community events to enhance visibility and donor engagement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with demonstrated success in securing individual gifts, grants, and sponsorships.
• Direct experience working with nonprofit boards to develop fundraising skills and goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience with donor CRM systems (Bloomerang preferred but not required).
• Strong project management skills; ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small-team environment.
• Passion for literature, arts, social justice, and free expression – and a deep appreciation for Kurt Vonnegut’s legacy.

Salary & Benefits

• 30 hours/week; flexible schedule with some evening and weekend hours required for events and board meetings.
• Hybrid work model (minimum 2 days in-office weekly).
• Salary: $50,000
• Benefits include paid time off, 401(k), medical/dental plan, professional development opportunities, free parking, and museum membership perks.

Other Information

We will provide interviews on a rolling basis and continue seeking a candidate for this role until we find the right person.

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is an equal opportunity employer. At a minimum, we comply with all federal, state, and local EEO and employment laws. Beyond these requirements, we value our team’s diversity in all respects, and we desire to maintain a work environment free of harassment or discrimination. We want our team members to thrive at KVML. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at info@vonnegutlibrary.org. We will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records.

How to Apply

If you are qualified and interested, please send your resumé and three professional references to info@vonnegutlibrary.org.