Position Opening: Development Director

The Washington Revels, October 2011
FT, flexible hours negotiable

Organization Overview

Founded in 1983, the Washington Revels is a nonprofit theater company that creates and stages community celebrations based on traditional music, dance, stories and drama from around the world. Our flagship production, The Christmas Revels, draws an audience of over 10,000 people every December. We also produce an annual Spring Celebration and a variety of Community Sings, Festival Days and other events throughout the year. We actively participate in the broader community. Our recent partnership with the Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution produced programs seen by over 8,000 area school children. Through our new Community Initiative, the Washington Revels will produce theatrical celebrations in communities throughout the D.C. area. For more information about the Washington Revels, visit www.revelsdc.org.

The Position

The Development Director manages and coordinates all aspects of fundraising, including individual and corporate donations, grant application and administration, the revenue side of special events, and the development of major gift, planned giving and eventually endowment programs. He or she will report directly to the Executive Director and work closely both with him and with the Marketing Director, Office Manager, volunteers and the Board of Directors’ Development Committee. Given the small size of the office, there will be the occasional need to pitch in and help with non-development activities. The position is intended to be full-time, with flexible hours possible. Some evening and weekend hours may be needed during periods of high activity, with extra time given off during lighter periods.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Individual Giving

• Manage all aspects of annual mail and electronic solicitations and donor acknowledgments for Annual Fund, with staff assistance
• Develop strategies and programs to increase both the number of individual donors and average giving levels
• Manage donor database (recently changed from Microsoft Access to Salesforce for Nonprofits) , with staff assistance
  Help develop and manage major gifts campaign in connection with 30th anniversary year starting in April 2012 and ending in April 2013
• Help coordinate and implement planned giving campaign currently being planned by Board Development Committee.
  Manage the process of prospecting for potential new individual and institutional donors.

2. Special Events

• Assist with revenue side of Benefit Gala (held every 5 years, next in Spring 2013) by supporting Finance Committee and helping coordinate auctio
• Help plan and direct other cultivation and fundraising events.

3. Corporate Giving

• Create partnerships with local and national businesses through sponsorships and grants
• Develop systematic program to obtain maximum possible in-kind donations

4. Foundation and Government Support

• Research, identify and cultivate sources of foundation and government grants
• Write grant applications and manage application calendar and process
• Ensure compliance with all requirements for received grants.

5. Board relations

• Support Development Committee
• Support Executive Director and Board Chair in board recruitment, as it pertains to fundraising.

6. Other

• Develop and draft (in conjunction with Marketing Manager and Office Manager) all written and graphic materials related to the above responsibilities, e.g., solicitation and acknowledgment materials, proposals and applications, sponsorship packages, development reports and analyses, Board materials, etc.
• Research and plan future Endowment program.
• Develop new development strategies and mechanisms.

Qualifications: College Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and at least some substantial experience with organized fundraising. Strong abilities to organize, plan, work independently and collaboratively, multi-task, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Excellent interpersonal skills and team orientation critical. Must be able to effectively and professionally represent Washington Revels to all fundraising constituencies, both current and prospective. Accuracy, attention to detail. Strong computer skills, including Windows and Microsoft Office. Ideal candidate will have experience in arts administration or non-profit or small business setting, and thrive in a collegial environment. Other pluses: familiarity with Access and desktop publishing programs and tools.

How to Apply: E-mail resume, writing sample and cover note addressing appropriateness for position and any aspects of qualifications not covered on resume to resumes@revelsdc.org, or mail to The Washington Revels, Inc., 531 Dale Drive Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Salary/Benefits: $30-35,000, depending on experience, with benefits or additional salary in lieu thereof.