Case for Support

Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy (HFTC) seeks a skilled fundraising, communications, or nonprofit strategy professional to help develop a comprehensive organizational Case for Support.

As the steward of Houston's historic Freedmen's Town, one of the nation's most significant post-Emancipation communities, HFTC has experienced substantial growth in recent years. The organization now operates the Freedmen's Town Visitor Center, leads historic preservation initiatives, advances affordable housing and community revitalization efforts, and serves as a national voice for preserving African American history and culture.

We are seeking a volunteer partner to help create a compelling, donor-centered Case for Support that clearly communicates our mission, impact, vision, and funding priorities.

The project may include:

• Reviewing existing fundraising and marketing materials
• Conducting stakeholder interviews with staff and leadership
• Identifying key themes and organizational strengths
• Developing a compelling organizational narrative
• Clarifying funding priorities and investment opportunities
• Creating donor-focused messaging for various audiences
• Recommending key messaging points and storytelling approaches
• Producing a written Case for Support document that can serve as a foundation for fundraising, donor cultivation, sponsorships, grants, membership campaigns, and future capital initiatives

The resulting Case for Support will be used to support HFTC's participation in the upcoming America 250 commemoration, major preservation initiatives, and long-term sustainability efforts. That national framing will be very attractive to experienced fundraising and communications professionals considering volunteer opportunities.

The final deliverable will be a professionally developed Case for Support that clearly articulates why HFTC matters, why the work is urgent, and why donors should invest in preserving the legacy and future of Freedmen's Town.

Houston Freedmen's Town Conservancy exists to preserve, protect, and promote the history, culture, and legacy of Freedmen's Town while inspiring future generations through education, preservation, and community revitalization.

Founded by formerly enslaved people after Emancipation, Freedmen's Town stands as one of the most important physical reminders of Black freedom, self-determination, entrepreneurship, and civic achievement in the United States. Yet the community's historic resources remain vulnerable to loss, and the stories they represent must be actively preserved and shared.

A compelling Case for Support will strengthen HFTC's ability to secure the resources needed to preserve historic structures, expand educational programming, operate the Freedmen's Town Visitor Center, support heritage tourism, advance community revitalization initiatives, and engage broader audiences in understanding this nationally significant story.

By helping HFTC articulate its vision and impact, the volunteer will directly contribute to preserving an irreplaceable chapter of American history and ensuring that the story of freedom in Freedmen's Town continues to educate, inspire, and empower future generations.

HFTC is prepared to begin this project immediately and has strong support from organizational leadership. The project will be led directly by our Fund Development Manager, who will serve as the primary point of contact throughout the engagement.

To support the volunteer's work, HFTC can provide:

• Strategic planning documents and organizational priorities
• Existing fundraising materials, sponsorship packages, and grant proposals
• Visitor Center information and impact data
• Preservation project documentation and reports
• Community revitalization and affordable housing project materials
• Organizational history and historical research resources
• Access to leadership, staff, and key stakeholders for interviews and feedback

The organization has reached an important stage of growth and recognizes the need for a unified narrative that can be used consistently across fundraising, communications, and stakeholder engagement efforts. The final Case for Support will be actively utilized by staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners to strengthen fundraising and increase awareness of HFTC's mission and impact.

We are committed to timely communication, active participation, prompt feedback, and providing the volunteer with the information needed to complete a successful project.