Head of Advancement, Futures Without Violence (San Francisco)

Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) is a dynamic national organization with over four decades of leadership in advancing equity and ending gender-based violence in the United States and globally. Opening in 2027, the Courage Museum is a first-of-its-kind educational and cultural institution located on the Main Post of San Francisco’s Presidio. Designed in partnership with the award-winning experience design firm Local Projects and subject matter experts in science, history, youth development, investigative journalism, and education, the Courage Museum will offer immersive, interactive experiences inviting young people and their communities to understand the roots of violence, build empathy, and activate their courage to create change.

About the role

The Courage Museum’s first Head of Advancement will join a mission-focused and collaborative team, reporting to the Senior Vice President of Public Engagement and Founding Director. This key leadership role involves developing and implementing the Museum’s expanded fundraising strategy, including an upcoming endowment campaign, broadening its base of support, and building the development team and infrastructure for long-term sustainability. The Museum has already established a strong foundation of philanthropic support, including founding donors, institutional relationships, and a dedicated Steering Committee.

This is a unique opportunity to build upon years of successful fundraising to create a diversified, sustainable development program for a Museum focused on narrative and systems change, healing from trauma, and civic engagement as tools to develop the next generation of leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the Courage Museum’s annual operating budget, visitor experience, immersive installations, educational programs, and long-term growth.
• Lead all development efforts with a focus on major gifts, cultivating and stewarding high-net-worth donors ($25,000+).
• Direct a campaign to establish a $10M+ endowment and build a planned giving program.
• Partner with Museum leadership and finance staff to set annual revenue goals, monitor progress, and align fundraising with organizational priorities.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, the Steering Committee, and the Board to identify and pursue new philanthropic opportunities.
• Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects across individuals, foundations, and corporations, leading all phases from identification through stewardship.
• Develop compelling cases for support and personalized donor experiences to deepen engagement and increase giving.
• Oversee donor communications, proposals, acknowledgments, and messaging in partnership with the communications team to ensure consistency and mission alignment.
• Build and grow the development team over time, starting with a small team and managing external consultants and contractors as needed.
• Supervise and mentor development staff across membership, events, donor communications, and fundraising functions.
• Foster a collaborative, goal-oriented culture and strengthen systems for prospect tracking, gift processing, and donor stewardship through the Museum’s CRM.
• Work cross-functionally with Finance, Administration, Operations, and FUTURES development staff to coordinate outreach and achieve fundraising goals.
• Serve as primary staff liaison to the Major Gifts Subcommittee and support its growth; establish and manage an endowment fundraising committee as needed.
• Equip Board members, Steering Committee, and senior staff with tools and strategies for prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Prepare regular reports and fundraising dashboards to inform leadership and guide strategy.
• Provide strategic leadership for special campaigns, cultivation events, donor recognition activities, and planned giving initiatives.
• Partner with events and communications teams to deliver strong, donor-centered engagement experiences.

Qualifications

• Broad-based fundraising experience that includes two or more of the following areas: individual major gifts, membership, institutional funding, corporate sponsorship, and comprehensive campaign management.
• Prior experience in a museum, education, and/or social justice organization preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts, meeting multi-million-dollar annual fundraising goals, cultivating new donor relationships, and developing and leading strategic fundraising initiatives.
• Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with executive leadership, Board members, high-net-worth individuals, foundation executives, and corporate partners.
• Demonstrated experience with financial management and data analysis, including setting and tracking progress against fundraising goals, using data to inform strategy, administering grant-funded programs, and reporting to leadership and the Board.
• 15+ years of progressive experience and responsibility in fundraising, with a track record of leadership in development roles.

Skills

• Strategic and collaborative mindset, with the ability to craft and execute fundraising strategies while working closely with leadership and stakeholders.
• Strong relational instincts and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust quickly with donors, staff, and volunteers.
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to thrive in a complex, evolving organization.
• Creative problem-solving skills and a hands-on approach to getting work done.
• Passion for the Museum’s mission and a commitment to advancing equity, healing from trauma, and youth engagement.

Benefits

• Opportunity to build and lead a development program from the ground up for a groundbreaking cultural institution.
• Join a mission-driven, collaborative team with a strong foundation of philanthropic support.
• Work in a dynamic, innovative environment focused on narrative and systems change.

Pay

$180,000 to $230,000 per year.