CEO/Director of Development

**Posted: 09/06/2026**

**Kansas Historical Foundation**
6425 SW 6th Avenue, Topeka, Kansas

Help us bring Kansas history to life—for everyone! The Kansas Historical Foundation is more than your typical nonprofit—our sole responsibility is to support the Kansas Historical Society’s mission, its storytellers, preservationists, and champions of the people, places, and events that have shaped our state. From preserving irreplaceable artifacts to inspiring future generations through education and research, our support of the Kansas Historical Society connects Kansans to their past in ways that inform the future. We’re looking for a dynamic, strategic, and relationship-driven CEO/Director of Development to help fuel that mission. If you’re energized by building meaningful connections, growing impactful fundraising programs, and making a visible difference in a community—this is your opportunity to lead, innovate, and leave a legacy.

What You’ll Do!

As our CEO/Director of Development, you will be the driving force behind the Foundation’s fundraising success. You’ll partner with leadership, staff, and board members to grow philanthropic support and expand our reach across Kansas and beyond.

• Lead fundraising strategy: Design and execute a comprehensive development plan, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, planned giving, and corporate partnerships
• Cultivate relationships: Build and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects, creating authentic, lasting connections that inspire generosity
• Tell our story: Craft compelling cases for support that connect donors to the impact of preserving Kansas history
• Inspire giving: Personally solicit major gifts and support leadership in high-level donor engagement
• Strengthen partnerships: Work closely with trustees, volunteers, and community leaders to expand our network and influence
• Drive results: Establish goals, track progress, and continuously refine strategies to grow revenue and donor engagement
• Collaborate across teams: Partner with program and communications staff to align fundraising with the Kansas Historical Society’s mission and priorities, and work in close coordination and cooperation with the Kansas State Historical Society, with oversight from the Executive Committee
• Build your team: Hire and lead a Director of Operations to manage membership, annual giving operations, retail store staff, and day-to-day administration so you can focus your energy on development and donor relationships
• Serve as a face of the Foundation: Represent KHF publicly and serve as a key external partner, working in close collaboration and cooperation with the Kansas State Historical Society’s Executive Director, under the direction of the Executive Committee

Position Summary:

This is a highly responsible supervisory, administrative, and participatory position. The individual serves as chief executive and development officer of the Kansas Historical Foundation. This is a private, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation, whose mission is the support of Kansas State Historical Society (KHS) programs through charitable gifts. The Foundation raises and manages private funds, maintains a membership organization, operates museum stores, sponsors annual and spring meetings, and works directly with the Executive Committee of the Kansas Historical Foundation Board of Directors, in close coordination and cooperation with the Kansas State Historical Society. Salary is commensurate with experience. This is not a remote position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Primary Focus: Development, Analysis, and Planning

• Direct and implement a comprehensive development program for raising private gifts in support of KHS programs and services. Work in close coordination and cooperation with the Executive Director of the state agency (KSHS), and under the direction of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors to set fundraising priorities and targets.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors.
• Implement a comprehensive development plan that includes specific strategies to maximize private support to meet KHS programming needs.
• Develop and implement an ongoing communication program with donors that recognizes past and current commitments and fosters support for future efforts.
• Travel throughout the state (and out-of-state) to garner financial support.
• Work with the Board of Directors to establish networks of potential supporters and donors throughout all regions of the state.
• Meet Development Committee and Executive Committee fundraising targets.
• Assist the treasurer in developing an annual operating budget subject to adoption by the Executive Committee and managing the operating budget.

Oversight Responsibilities: Board and Executive Committee Support, Staff Supervision, Administration

• Manage the Foundation’s overall operations by hiring, supervising, and evaluating a Director of Operations
• Develop goals and objectives for the Foundation's activities.
• Manage the operating budget.
• Serve as chief liaison to state agency management to ensure effective communication and cooperation.