Director of Development

Essential Responsibilities 

Fundraising 

Provide strategic and creative leadership in raising approximately $4.5-5M in annual contributed revenue through individual and planned giving, foundation and government support, corporate sponsorship, and special events  Articulate clear, innovative fundraising plans, and manage the execution of those plans to grow fundraising and reach or exceed goals  In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Director of Finance and Operations, set annual goals for each line of contributed income, based on organizational history, programmatic goals, and the current philanthropic landscape Create a strong and compelling case for support each year, aligned with organizational culture, integrated into various communication platforms, and utilized by staff and Board Build and bolster long-term relationships with foundation and corporate partners, government agencies, donors at various levels, and current and prospective Board members     In collaboration with the Executive Director, partner on all major gift strategies and solicitations, including setting objectives around the completion of DGF’s ongoing endowment campaign, which entails raising the final $4M of a $10M goal  Direct the development and implementation of an individual giving program, which helps to identify new donors and cultivate deeper relationships with others, responds to current fundraising trends, and increases the public understanding of DGF Collaborate with the Director of Communications on telling DGF’s story and creating strong collateral and related materials for fundraising activities Establish sustainable systems and practices for development operations, including ongoing fundraising communications, prospect research, and gift acknowledgments and processing Build a collaborative relationship with the Director of Finance and Operations to manage the department budget and communicate progress on revenue goals  Communicate goals, organizational strategy, and clear deadlines with both the Development Manager and the contracted grant writer to ensure the development team is moving in a unified direction  Oversee the planning and execution of all cultivation events aimed at strengthening DGF’s circle of support and collaborate with the senior leadership team, the Board, and the outside Gala Producer to execute an annual Gala that raises close to $1M for the organization

Board Development

Directly engage the Board and appropriate Board Committees on all fundraising and Board Development initiatives and build ongoing communications related to these efforts Prepare reports for the Executive Director and the Board in addition to attending and reporting at quarterly Board and Committee meetings throughout the year  In collaboration with the Executive Director and Board leadership, identify and recruit potential Board members and solidify the onboarding processes for new members  Manage the work of the Gala Committee of the Board and take steps with Board leadership and the Executive Director to re-establish a Development Committee of the Board 

Organizational Leadership 

Participate in DGF’s ongoing efforts to achieve goals set in the strategic plan, particularly associated with fundraising  Serve as a member of DGF senior leadership team, working collaboratively to direct the organization, articulate strategic plans, and foster a healthy work culture of transparency, learning, and belonging  Grow relationships and familiarity with the writers and other beneficiaries of DGF’s programs and services in order to gain insight on DGF’s work and elevate the case for support  Understand and uplift DGF’s values of equity, diversity, and inclusion as well as anti-racism and anti-oppression practices in order to incorporate them into the development team’s operations Represent DGF at New York City or national arts and theatrical community events, participating in field-wide conversations or advocacy efforts 

Qualifications

7+ years of experience in fund development, preferably in a cultural non-profit organization, with diversified experience in the following: individual giving, institutional giving, major gifts, annual fund/membership, planned giving, stewardship, and development operations A keen understanding of the lives of working artists, particularly writers, and a firm belief in the value artists bring to society Knowledge of the arts and culture philanthropic community in New York City and nationally and an awareness of the local and regional theater industry in order to increase fundraising strategies for the organization Confident relationship manager and the ability to relate to and interact with a variety of constituents, most notably staff, board, and artists Excellent oral and written communications skills, including experience crafting appeal messaging and grant materials Knowledge of major gift cultivations and experience building long-term relationships with high-level donors Strong organizational and time management skills; with an ability to set plans, work toward deadlines, and communicate with teammates throughout a project’s completion Experience with donor management systems, particularly DonorPerfect, and an interest in other current and emerging technologies related to fundraising Awareness of current trends in the field as well as legal and tax-related requirements related to charitable giving Understanding of the organizational budgeting process in order to participate in organizational and departmental planning Experience planning and executing large-scale donor events (galas, etc.) and engaging a Board in the success of those events Openness to receiving feedback and willingness to offer it, reflecting an appreciation for learning with the DGF community  Willingness and ability to attend meetings and events outside the regular workday, as needed Creative problem-solver, idea generator, and self-starter with the capacity to start a project, manage it, and see it through to completion Commitment to building a trusting, transparent, and healthy workplace atmosphere where all voices and perspectives are valued and respected Collaborative open spirit who is eager to make an impact

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. 

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that cis men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. 

Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.