The SGI Program Coordinator is a member of the Preservation team and works under the direction of the Director of Preservation to advance the mission and strategic plan of Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF). The Coordinator supports the implementation, administration, and continued development of the Saving Grace Initiative, which promotes the preservation, stewardship, and long-term sustainability of Charleston’s historic African-American churches.
Under the Director’s guidance, the Coordinator administers SGI’s two primary components: the Church Cohort Capacity-Building Program and the Emergency Repair Fund Grant Program. Responsibilities include coordinating church participation and professional services, administering grant processes, maintaining program records and budgets, supporting fundraising efforts, cultivating partnerships, and documenting program outcomes. The Coordinator also helps communicate the initiative’s impact to donors, community stakeholders, and the public.
The ideal candidate is organized, collaborative, and detail-oriented, with strong project coordination skills and a commitment to historic preservation, African-American cultural heritage, and community engagement.
In addition, the Coordinator assists the Director of Preservation with HCF’s other preservation initiatives, including the Revolving Fund, Common Cause Loan Fund, and Special Preservation Projects. This is a mission-focused, results-oriented, and public-facing position.
Saving Grace Initiative Administration
• Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of SGI in accordance with HCF’s approved program structure, policies, budget, and priorities.
• Maintain application procedures, selection criteria, participation agreements, funding guidelines, work plans, and performance measures as directed by the Director of Preservation.
• Prepare program updates for the Director of Preservationand other HCF leadership or committees, as requested.
Church Cohort Capacity Building
• Coordinate the application, review, selection, andonboarding processes for cohorts of up to five eligible historic Blackchurches, following established criteria and procedures.
• Maintain relationships with participating church leaders and assist congregations in identifying preservation needs and developing capacity-building plans.
• Track church funding allocations, required contributions, approved services, expenditures, and consultant deliverables.
• Connect churches with qualified contractors, funding opportunities, community leaders, preservation resources, and other professional services.
• Support peer learning and collaboration among participating churches and monitor progress toward established goals.
• Coordinate cohort evaluations, graduation, and reapplication processes in accordance with program guidelines.
• Communicate with applicants and grantees throughout the process and provide appropriate referrals when needs fall outside the program’s scope or available resources.
• Help maintain a resource toolkit and professional networkto support church preservation and organizational capacity.
Emergency Repair Fund Grant Program (starting 2028)
• Work with Director of Preservation to develop criteria and parameters of the Emergency Repair Grant Program, to be implemented in 2028.
• Administer the application, review, award, and monitoring processes in accordance with approved grant guidelines and under the Director’s supervision.
• Maintain grant records, agreements, disbursement documentation, and project reports.
• Monitor approved projects for compliance with grant requirements and report concerns or recommended actions to the Director.
Fundraising and Partnerships
• Support fundraising initiatives for SGI, including donor campaigns, matching gifts, challenge grants, and project-specific fundraising.
• Maintain relationships with churches, consultants, preservation organizations, foundations, government agencies, and community partners.
Community Engagement and Communications
• Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for SGI participants and represent the initiative at meetings, site visits, and community events, as appropriate.
• Work with Director of Preservation and HCF’s communications team to share church histories, program accomplishments, and preservation needs.
Other Preservation Initiatives
• Assist the Director of Preservation with the administration and implementation of HCF’s Revolving Fund, Common Cause Loan Fund, and Special Preservation Projects, as assigned.
Education & Experience Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in historic preservation, urban planning, public administration, nonprofit management, history, or a related field, with at least two years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong organizational, project coordination, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, proposals, and project documentation.
• Ability to work independently within established guidelines and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners.
• Valid South Carolina driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Demonstrated commitment to historic preservation, cultural heritage, community engagement, and HCF’s mission.
Time Requirements
Minimum shift requirement: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm (with flex Fridays).
All members of the staff of Historic Charleston Foundation are called on, from time to time, to support cooperative Foundation programs that are held after normal working hours and on weekends and to assist with projects that may lie outside their primary areas of responsibility.
Benefits:
• Salary $50,000 - $55,000 commensurate with experience // Annually funded program
• Competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision,short-term disability, life insurance
• 403(b) plan with qualifying match up to 6%
• Free parking, reciprocity Pass (+1), Flex Fridays
The employment relationship with Historic Charleston Foundation is at-will and can be terminated by either you or the foundation at any time, for any reason. Neither this form, or any oral or written policy or procedure, nor any representation by any HCF employee, supervisor or officer can or will change the at-will nature of your employment.
Historic Charleston Foundation is a nonprofit organizationwith a mission to advocate for a future for Charleston that honors and protectsits people, places, culture, and community.
To be considered for the position, please submit a cover letter and your resume via email to careers@historiccharleston.org and reference ad source.
