Empowering young lives through music.
Washington DC, DC
United States
Please complete the application in the JazzHR portal linked below.
Calida Jones and Dr. Kim Davis will stay in communication with you consistently throughout the process. You will not at any time go more than two weeks without an update on where you are in the search process.
Your application should include:
Your resume. The resume can be of any length and style, though we encourage you to adjust it as appropriate to help us see how your history and experience connect to the current circumstances, intentions, and hopes for DCYOP.
Instead of a standard cover letter, the application portal will ask you to answer a set of questions that will help us to understand you more. In case you wish to prepare in advance, the questions are as follows:
- Who are you, and what is most exciting for us to know about you as a human being?
What motivates your application for this role, and how do you envision making a meaningful impact within DCYOP? - How would you approach crafting a multi-year plan aimed at fund development, aligning it with the organization’s revenue growth objectives?
- Describe your knowledge and experience in addressing challenges from an Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility lens, particularly in the arts and culture field.
- Can you provide examples of how you've showcased outstanding organizational and leadership skills in your past positions, taking into account the intricacies of development fundraising methods and frameworks?
Please also share how you self-identify on any and all lenses so we can honor your preferences and perspectives specifically in our communications with you!
If possible, please have any attachments be included in pdf format.
If you have any questions about the position or your submission, please feel free to e-mail, and we will be happy to discuss with you at any time!
Calida Jones: calida@creativeevolutions.com
Dr. Kim Davis: kimberly@fivesixteenconsulting.org
The Director of Development will be deeply committed to fostering strong relationships within the community to build a positive image such that companies, schools, civic organizations and individuals will make DCYOP the local nonprofit organization of choice for funding.
As our Director of Development, you will understand and proactively manage human expectations and human relationships; personal values are crucial in effectively developing and maintaining relationships with DCYOP constituents. Managing human expectations refers to the desires and anticipations individuals have regarding their environment and culture. The Director of Development should align these expectations with DCYOP’s goals and create a culture where board members, volunteers, teaching artists, parents, students, and donors can interact and learn from one another. This individual will be a visible member of the DCYOP community who will model community building through their interactions with staff, board, parents, and students.
The desire to contribute to a thriving and healthy organizational culture will be a notable feature of our Director of Development – they are fueled by being present and getting to know everyone in long-term and authentic ways. They aren’t just a good listener – listening to others and learning about them is their favorite way to spend their time.
To meet human expectations and honor personal values, the Director of Development should prioritize open communication, transparency, and collaboration within the team. This includes providing opportunities for collaboration, teamwork, and discovery fostering a culture of trust and respect, and ensuring that the work environment aligns with the core values of the team members.
By recognizing and addressing human expectations and personal values, the Director of Development can contribute to the overall success and satisfaction of both the DCYOP staff and the community as a whole.
Our Director of Development will be truly exceptional on two related fronts – strategic fund development planning and execution and community engagement.
- As the lead strategist for fund development, this team member will craft a multi-year plan aimed at increasing revenue and meeting the needs for programming. This plan will serve as a guiding framework that informs and aligns with the organization’s revenue growth objectives over the next three years.
- The Director of Development will collaborate closely with the Executive Director the Board, the Program Directors and the Director of Operation to initiate and establish organizational goals aligned with the organization's strategic objectives. Additionally, the Director of Development will directly oversee the ongoing supervision of one Institutional Giving Manager.
- The Director of Development is responsible for formulating and executing the development strategy for DCYOP’s $1.8M annual operating budget, accomplishing fundraising objectives, engaging funders and sponsors, and utilizing key relationships to ensure the fulfillment of DCYOP’s revenue goals. This role will serve as the primary individual accountable for managing all fundraising activities, taking a hands-on approach to implementing and concluding fundraising plans, including co-managing DCYOP’s 65th Anniversary Gala in the Fall of 2025. This includes managing major gifts, foundation and corporate giving, grant solicitation, and acquiring in-kind resources.
- The Director of Development will have knowledge about and experience in addressing funding challenges from an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility justice perspective. They will have some familiarity and comfort with difficult conversations surrounding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility justice challenges around how arts and culture organizations address biases, access to resources, and create pathways for other funding opportunities.
- The Director will possess excellent organizational and leadership skills, a comprehensive understanding of development fundraising methods and frameworks, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to think strategically and operationally while implementing multiple projects simultaneously.
- The Director of Development is a thoughtful communicator, adept at reading people, a problem-solver who is quick to respond, who is adaptable, understanding, and not easily shaken.