National Museum of African American Music- Corporate & Foundations Relations Manager

The Corporate & Foundations Relations Manager serves as the National Museum of African American Music's primary liaison with corporate and foundation partners, responsible for securing institutional funding, managing grant processes, and supporting development operations. This position leads proposal development, maintains partner relationships, and ensures effective stewardship while providing operational support for NMAAM's broader fundraising initiatives. The Corporate & Foundations Relations Manager plays a critical role in translating the museum's mission and impact into compelling funding opportunities that drive revenue growth, support programming, and enhance NMAAM's reputation among institutional funders in Nashville and beyond.

NMAAM is the only museum dedicated to preserving the legacy and celebrating the accomplishments of the many music genres created, influenced, or inspired by African Americans. The Museum will share the story of the American Soundtrack, integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Corporate & Foundations Relations (60%)

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate and foundation partners, serving as primary point of contact.
• Write and submit grant proposals, sponsorship requests, and reports that effectively communicate NMAAM's impact.
• Create compelling sponsorship packages for signature events including Black Music Month and exhibition openings.
• Ensure timely submission of reports and deliverables for funded grants, maintaining excellent stewardship.
• Support R&B Foundation review process and manage related grant administration.
• Track sponsorship fulfillment and ensure partner benefits are delivered consistently and accurately.
• Research prospective institutional funders to expand partner portfolio and identify new revenue opportunities.
• Represent NMAAM at corporate networking events and participate in meetings with current and prospective funders.
• Develop custom proposals for strategic institutional prospects aligned with NMAAM's programming priorities.
• Collaborate with program staff to identify new funding opportunities and develop compelling case statements.

Development Operations (25%)

• Maintain donor database records for institutional partners including gifts, contacts, and stewardship activities.
• Process and acknowledge corporate and foundation gifts according to established protocols.
• Coordinate cross-departmental communication for grant implementation and sponsorship fulfillment.
• Track restricted fund expenditures and prepare financial summaries for funders and internal reporting.
• Support annual fund campaigns and special initiatives with institutional giving components.
• Generate regular reports on institutional giving performance metrics for leadership and board presentations.
• Coordinate data management for corporate employee engagement programs and matching gift initiatives.
• Assist with budget tracking and revenue projections for institutional funding streams.

Development Administration (15%)

• Provide administrative support for leadership meetings with institutional funders and site visits.
• Prepare briefing materials for executive team's corporate/foundation interactions.
• Maintain organized files of all grant and sponsorship materials, ensuring compliance documentation.
• Support development team meetings and committee communications related to institutional giving.
• Assist with special events logistics for institutional partners and corporate sponsor recognition.
• Coordinate with finance team on pledge payment schedules and restricted fund management.
• Contribute to development team planning and strategy discussions regarding institutional partnerships.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Business, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in development with specific focus on corporate and foundation relations.
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and institutional fundraising.
• Experience with donor database systems and fundraising operations.
• Knowledge of the Nashville philanthropic landscape preferred.
• Background in arts/cultural organizations or music-related nonprofits a plus.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with CRM systems (Blackbaud Altru preferred) for donor management and reporting.
• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with online grant portals and submission processes.
• Ability to analyze financial data and produce accurate fundraising reports.
• Working knowledge of prospect research tools and techniques.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Exceptional writing skills with ability to craft compelling proposals and reports.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Creative problem-solving approach and adaptability to changing priorities.
• Understanding of corporate philanthropy trends and foundation funding strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with staff, funders, and partners.
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong presentation skills and professional demeanor for external relationships.
• Passion for African American music history and cultural preservation.

Performance Indicators:

• Annual Revenue Goal: $350K-$450K from corporate and foundation sources.
• Grant Application Success Rate: 35% or higher.
• New Corporate/Foundation Partners: 5-8 secured annually.
• Stewardship Effectiveness: 85%+ partner retention rate.
• Data Management Accuracy: 98%+ error-free records.
• Timeliness of reporting and proposal submissions.
• Quality of written materials and presentations.
• Contribution to museum's overall fundraising success.

All Staff Duties:

• Follows and supports policies and procedures of NMAAM.
• Actively seeks to learn the history of NMAAM.
• Supports and promotes the museum’s mission.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Salary Range:$55,000.00 To $60,000.00 Annually