Chief Development Officer

The Opportunity 

Ghetto Film School (GFS) – an award-winning nonprofit founded in 2000 to educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers – seeks a new Chief Development Officer (CDO) to oversee and drive the strategy of the GFS fundraising program. 

The CDO is a key member of the Executive Team, reporting to the CEO, and oversees GFS’ development department staff, consultants and operations.

GFS is a hybrid workplace, and this position can be based in New York City or Los Angeles. 

Responsibilities

Create and execute GFS’ annual fundraising plan to secure operating revenue, including major gifts, annual appeals, institutional giving, special events & projects, and a forthcoming catalyst campaign

Support CEO and Executive Directors of NY, LA, and LDN in managing donor portfolios, and foster GFS’ culture of philanthropy to advance institution-wide initiatives 

Steward a personal portfolio of major donors and supporters, and develop creative strategies to engage new prospective donors and other funding sources

Manage department budget and performance evaluations for direct reports

Oversee implementation of a new longitudinal program evaluation process at GFS with consultants WolfBrown and Goldsmith Strategies

Qualifications

Dynamic self-starter with a track record of success in development leadership roles

Passionate about film, storytelling, and arts education

Direct experience building and maintaining a robust pipeline of donors

Strategic thinking, diplomacy, and innovative approaches to problem-solving

A charismatic leader who builds strong relationships with others

Excellent cold pitching, presenting, writing, negotiating, and closing skills

Ability to travel to New York, Los Angeles, and London

Compensation 

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. 

Application and Hiring Process 

We are excited to review your resume! To apply, please submit a resume and detailed cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position to employment@ghettofilm.org. 

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so it is in candidates’ best interest to apply as early as possible. GFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please visit www.ghettofilm.org for more.  

About Ghetto Film School 

Ghetto Film School (GFS) is an award-winning nonprofit founded in 2000 to educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers. 

Emphasizing grit, quality, practical skill-building, and college and career readiness, GFS supports over 8,000 ambitious, talented youth and young professionals each year through a groundbreaking curriculum focused on aptitude in the screen industries and 21st century creative economy readiness. GFS is 100% free of charge, and its diverse student body is 55% Hispanic and 35% Black and ranges from 14 to 34 years of age. 

With locations in New York City (est. 2000), Los Angeles (est. 2014), and London (est. 2020), GFS equips students for top universities and careers in the creative industries through two tracks: the Fellows Program – an introductory education program for high school students, and the Roster – early-career support for alumni and young professionals. 

Our Fellows Program is a 30-month cinematic storytelling course for high school students. The Roster provides opportunities for GFS alumni and other young professionals so that media professions become more accessible to diverse future generations of visual storytellers. 

Development at Ghetto Film School

GFS has a current annual operating budget of $9.2M. Sources include charitable support from corporations, foundations, individual donors, and government, as well as fee for service. 

In recent years, GFS has experienced significant growth. Its current strategic plan outlines a bold path forward, deepening investments in its field-leading programs, strengthening its roots in the communities it serves, and building its next-generation structure and staff. 

In addition to annual fundraising, GFS’ strategic plan envisions a one-time catalytic campaign to fund these investments, paving the way to secure GFS’ future and expand visibility and opportunity for the thousands of young visionaries impacted by its programs each year.