The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation (NSHSF) seeks a strategic, ethical, and relationship-centered leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

The Foundation is a legally and functionally independent statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing Nebraska’s history. It is governed by its own Board of Directors, manages its own charitable assets and donor relationships, employs its own staff, administers its own programs and initiatives, and makes its own strategic, financial, operational, and programmatic decisions. While the Foundation maintains an important collaborative relationship with the Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS), it is not a department, division, agency, fiscal agent, support arm, or operational unit of NSHS.

The Foundation advances its mission through philanthropy, stewardship, grantmaking, advocacy, public engagement, educational programming, donor and membership initiatives, historic preservation support, special projects, properties, and strategic partnerships. Its work includes Foundation-led programs and statewide initiatives, as well as appropriate collaboration with NSHS and other partners when those efforts align with the Foundation’s mission, donor intent, fiduciary responsibilities, and Board-approved priorities.

Reporting directly and exclusively to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the organization’s chief executive officer. This leader will guide fundraising, donor stewardship, strategic planning, financial management, staff leadership, Board relations, grantmaking oversight, program administration, property and asset stewardship, communications, public engagement, and statewide relationship-building. The role requires someone who can inspire philanthropy, manage resources responsibly, support a professional staff team, work effectively with Trustees, and represent the Foundation with credibility and warmth across Nebraska.

The successful candidate will bring significant experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, philanthropy, museums, cultural institutions, higher education, public history, historic preservation, community engagement, or a related field. Candidates should have demonstrated success in donor cultivation and stewardship, staff supervision, budget management, Board relations, public communication, and partnership-building. A bachelor’s degree and strong knowledge of Nebraska communities and culture are required. A master’s degree, Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, experience with planned giving, endowments, campaigns, grantmaking, historic properties, or statewide nonprofit work are preferred.

This position is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, and requires regular statewide travel as well as periodic evening and weekend commitments for donor meetings, Board activities, Foundation programs, public events, community engagement, and partner relations.

Salary range: $100,000-$120,000. A benefits stipend and group life insurance are provided.

To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references to search@nshsf.org. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s knowledge and consent. Applications will be reviewed beginning September 30, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of reference checks, verification of credentials and employment history, a criminal background check, and other pre-employment screenings, which may include a credit history review consistent with applicable law and the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of the position.

The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. The Foundation is committed to a workplace and selection process free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.