8/5/09 – This job announcement has been updated. The new version is available here.
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Organization Summary
The Highlander Research and Education Center is a 77 year old nonprofit popular education center that works with grassroots groups in Appalachia and across the South to promote social and economic justice. We are located 20 miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee on a 186 acre farm. Highlander’s long and proud history includes work with labor education and organizing, the Civil Rights Movement, and environmental justice in Appalachia. Highlander is world-renowned as a beacon for progressive organizing and widely acclaimed as a leadership development center for grassroots activists across race, culture and generations.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement multi-strategy fundraising plan to meet million dollar plus annual budget including grants, individual donors, events, direct mail appeals, and online giving. This team also handles the organization’s external communications, and the Coordinator develops and implements the communications plan and strategies.
This position works closely with the Director, coordinates the team including a Development Associate, consultants and contract workers as needed, staffs the Board Resource Committee, and has strong communication with the Education Coordinator and Team. Actively participates in a democratically managed organization.
Highlander has a national and generous donor base that helps meet its budget. We are also in the midst of a capital campaign.
Requirements
- Passionate about Highlander’s mission and purpose and able to communicate program work effectively.
- Proven track record of fundraising success (3-5 years).
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
- Outgoing and people friendly. Able to establish rapport with activists and community members in diverse ethnic, racial, social and economic groups.
- Self-starter and team player.
- Ability to travel.
- Computer literate.
- Organized.
- Sense of humor.
Location
Highlander is a rural based workshop center located on 186 acres in east Tennessee just outside Knoxville in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, and the position is based there. Some staff members live on the Highlander grounds while others live in the surrounding areas, including Knoxville.
To Apply
Send letter of interest, resume, 3 references and a writing sample related to prior development work to:
Search Committee
Development and Communications Coordinator
Highlander Center
1959 Highlander Way
New Market, TN, 37820
Email applications are accepted at hrec (at) test.highlandercenter.org or by fax at 865-933-3424. Position is open until filled, and applications will be considered as received. Women, people of color, and lesbigaytrans encouraged to apply.