Director of Philanthropy

The Director of Philanthropy is a strategic, mission-aligned leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and managing all fundraising activities to support the organization's growth and operations. You will play a crucial role in securing the funding necessary to sustain our mission and successfully complete our new land project and center. This position requires a proven leader committed to our values who can build long-term, genuine relationships with funders and donors. Your work will directly enable our unique cultural organizing and community programming.

The Mission

At SpiritHouse South, we don’t just fundraise; we fuel a legacy. We are a Black women-led cultural arts and organizing powerhouse in Durham, NC, dedicated to liberation and collective healing. From our roots in 1999 to our current team "ecosystem," we are building more than just programs—we are building a permanent home through our new land project and community center.

The Partnership: 

Why This Role is Different

You’ll be working directly with our Co-Executive Directors, who value transparency, service leadership, and a good sense of humor. We’re looking for a partner, not a "worker bee."

• Ground-Up Innovation: We are transitioning into a formal institution. If you love building systems from scratch and creating a vision where others see a blank page, you’re in the right place.
• Fortitude & Grit: Liberation work is beautiful, but it’s also trying. We need a leader with the emotional and professional fortitude to maneuver through shifting landscapes and high-stress seasons with grace and strategy.
• No Micromanagement: We believe in meeting people where they are. We provide the mission and the "why"—you provide the innovative "how."

What You’ll Do

• Architect the Strategy: Design, diversify and manage all fundraising activities, from major donor portfolios to institutional grants, to ensure our mission remains sustainable.
• Support the Capital Campaign: Support the development of our new land project and center, securing the funding needed to ground our work in Durham for decades to come.
• Navigate the Landscape: Use your deep understanding of local and national movement and arts strategies to build genuine, long-term relationships with funders who want to invest in Black-led programming.
• Maintain the Foundation: Work with our finance firm to ensure every dollar is tracked, reconciled, and reported with integrity.

Who You Are

• Experienced Leader: You have 5-7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit development, with a track record of securing major gifts.
• Strategically Minded: You understand the shifting national landscape of philanthropy and know how to pivot when times change.
• Mission-Rooted: You have a deep, lived commitment to racial equity, social justice, and the power of art as a tool for change.
• Tech & Detail Savvy: You’re comfortable with CRM management and ensure the administrative "affairs" of philanthropy are always in order.

The Details

• Pay Range: $70,000–$80,000, depending on your experience and capital campaign track record.
• Reporting: You report directly to the Co-Executive Directors.

Are you ready to build with us? We’re looking for an innovator who can help us secure our future while honoring our past.