ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

First Peoples Fund is a national non-profit organization founded in 1995. Its mission is to honor and support the Collective Spirit® of First Peoples artists and culture bearers. Collective Spirit® is that which manifests a self-awareness and sense of responsibility to sustain the cultural fabric of a community. Collective Spirit® moves each of us to stand up and make a difference, to pass on ancestral knowledge and simply extend a hand of generosity. First Peoples Fund recognizes the power of art and culture to bring about positive change in Native communities, beginning with individual artists and their families. 

Through grants and awards, FPF provides Native artists, culture bearers, and cultural practitioners with monetary support, networks, financial services, mentorship and training to flourish as entrepreneurs and community leaders. FPF works to support the development of a robust Indigenous Arts Ecology, recognizing the need for an interconnected arts ecosystem that supports the full potential and creative practice of Native artists and culture bearers. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President of Advancement & Communications (VPAC) serves as a key leadership team member. The VPAC works closely with the President & CEO to provide leadership and management of the overall strategic direction, fundraising, grants development, communications, and marketing for First Peoples Fund, while driving external relationships and helping to facilitate cross-team processes and collaborations at the Vice Presidents' level.  

The VPAC leads the Development, Communications, and Evaluation team (currently an Associate Director of Development, Associate Director of Communications, Associate Director of Evaluation & Research, Associate) to achieve annual, strategic, and long-term goals that interweave and contribute to FPF’s strength and sustainability. The VPAC brings together and builds the development and communications functions of the organization to create and articulate cohesive narratives about the impact and importance of the work of First Peoples Fund.

Working directly with the President & CEO, the VPAC has primary responsibility for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to meet FPF’s annual budget needs and long-term growth reserves (Legacy Fund) through the solicitation of major gifts, individual donors, federal and state grants, special events, and corporate and foundation support. This includes maintaining, sustaining, and developing a portfolio of institutional and major donors. With the majority of FPF’s funding currently derived from foundations, the VPAC will expand and diversify FPF's funding sources through various strategies and avenues of solicitation. This will require systematically and effectively strengthening the organization's fundraising capacity and fund development strategies.

We seek a hands-on candidate with extensive Development experience who embraces the mission of First Peoples Fund, understands and is committed to our work with artists and culture bearers, and who can successfully lead a diverse team of talented professionals in a remote working environment.

View the Position Prospectus here.

Pay: This is a full-time, exempt/salary position. The pay range is $100000 to $165000. Pay may vary depending on your location, skills, and experience.

Location/Travel Requirements: This position is a remote position within the contiguous United States. Occasional travel to FPF’s home office in Rapid City, South Dakota will be required, in addition to travel associated with this role. 

Please note that this position is open to candidates in the following time zones: Mountain Time, Central Time, Eastern Time, and Pacific Time only.

Pre-screen: Upon offer, employees will be required to complete and pass a background check. 

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in literature, communications, finance, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• 7 to 10 years of progressive Development experience in a nonprofit organization or comparable combination of education and experience in grant writing, individual donor development, and/or fund development, preferably for nonprofit and/or Native organizations.
• Background and progressively responsible work experience in marketing, communications and/or public relations.

For more position and benefit information and to apply, please visit First Peoples Fund career page at https://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/about/careers