DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Arts for the Aging engages older adults and caregivers with diverse abilities and backgrounds in health improvement and life enhancement through regular participation in the multi-disciplinary arts.  With a vision in Greater Washington D.C. and beyond to demonstrate excellence in participatory, and inclusive arts programming, Arts for the Aging has known since 1988 what studies now show, that regular arts engagement has the therapeutic power to improve physical, cognitive, and emotional health—inspiring empathy and respect, fostering communication and belonging, and promoting social connection. On cultural equity: We are in the early stages of fulfilling our responsibilities as a cultural organization in terms of promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) internally. An equity cohort of key internal stakeholders meets bi-monthly to guide implementation of a comprehensive organizational assessment on cultural equity, and we are focusing administrative and fundraising efforts to help us set up an environment welcoming to a more diverse staff and board.

This position is ideal for someone with previous nonprofit experience interested in furthering a career in fundraising-development, grant writing, individual giving, donor relations, and administration. Priority focus is on candidates who currently operate in a fundraising management role and are seeking to take on director level responsibility, with resource support for professional development.  In addition, this position requires a person who is dedicated to supporting Arts for the Aging’s culture of collaboration, compassion, and innovation, its values of community outreach, participatory engagement, and respect, and one who is dedicated to aligning programs, practices, and communications accordingly.

 POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Director of Development, in collaboration with the Director & CEO and other members of the Staff, is responsible for securing and maintaining public and private institutional funding through the writing and submission of grant proposals and reports, and for raising unrestricted and restricted revenue from corporations and individuals. The DD works with a contracted Grant Writer. As Arts for the Aging builds the development department, oversight will extend to a Grants Coordinator, a full-time new hire anticipated over the next six months, and the phasing out of our contracted Grant Writer.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising and Grant Administration and Support:

• Execute annual development plan and refine, as needed.
• Lead grant proposal development, funding requests, and report writing and collaborate with contracted grant writer. Assist Grants Coordinator (anticipated hire date by year end 2022) in identifying and cultivating grants and track pre-and post-award funder deadlines.
• Partner on the submission of funding requests (e.g. drafting and compiling necessary documents to create an application package).
• Oversee the grants and contracts calendar.
• Produce and manage mailings, fundraising appeals and online campaigns, including creating mail merged documents, and donor acknowledgement correspondence templates.
• Maintain digital communications such as e-newsletters and social media calendars pertinent to fundraising activities, and produce online campaigns.
• Oversee Administrative Manager to process and enter payments for donations, make calls to donors regarding declined or expiring credit cards, document gifts, prepare acknowledgement letters, tax receipts, and other correspondence.
• Collaborate with the Director and CEO position to re-institute board-hosted fundraising events which were put on hold during the pandemic.
• Participate in trainings and webinars as needed.

Prospect Research:

• Support Grant Coordinator in conducting preliminary research and analysis to identify, qualify, and select prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donor.
• Track donor opportunities, research prospects, and support proposal development.
• Establish and manage donors to move them to higher level or engagement and higher levels of giving.

Database Management

• Collaborate with Administrative Manager to assist with maintaining donor/donor-prospect database, software tools, and systems. Create and generate revenue, donor information, fundraising, ad hoc, and audit reports.
• Collaborate with Administrative Manager regarding donor database and financial systems to ensure accurate information and reporting.
• Track institution grants and the move management process (set goals, create a plan, record, etc.).

 Performs other job-related duties and functions as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two (2) years of directly related experience in a nonprofit development or fundraising role
• Proven track record of obtaining 4 – 6 figure grants and of raising 4 – 6 figure gifts from donors
• Ability to handle confidential donor/constituent information with sensitivity and integrity
• Knowledge and experience using database software, such as DonorPerfect (current system), Raiser’s Edge, or similar systems
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel required
• Highly motivated, creative, self-starter with demonstrated entrepreneurial inclination
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely (written and verbal)
• Familiarity with technology tools for web-conferencing and project management (Zoom, Trello).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Detail oriented with a dedication to accuracy
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong interpersonal, listening, cross-cultural, and relationship building skills
• Demonstrated experience managing supporting staff
• Knowledge of Adobe Suite software and other design software tools such as Canva

ADA SPECIFICATIONS:

Arts for the Aging operates on a hybrid telework and office schedule. The office is located in Rockville, MD, with the organization’s administrative headquarters housed in a dynamic shared office space at Nonprofit Village. The position will have occasional local/regional travel.  The role is primarily sedentary, but may require the ability to occasionally lift items weighing up to 25 pounds and transport them to another location.

Arts for the Aging is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other protected class status.

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. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

 ANTICIPATED HIRE DATE:  Fall 2022

 APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Send your cover letter including what makes you a good fit for this role, and your resume, to info@AFTAarts.org. Attention/Subject: Director of Development Search. Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone inquiries or snail mail applications, please.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS: 

Salary range: $50,000 – $65,000 commensurate with experience. Benefits: Vacation, sick/personal leave, health insurance plan, matching retirement plan (SIMPLE IRA), professional development (coaching, membership with Association of Fundraising Professionals, leadership/management training and education workshops), business travel reimbursement.