Development Manager/Director

Overview:

Keegan Theatre, a nationally recognized nonprofit arts organization located in the heart of Washington, D.C., is seeking a strategic, passionate, and self-directed fundraising professional to join our team as either a Development Manager or Director of Development, depending on qualifications and experience. This full-time exempt position plays a vital role in shaping Keegan’s future by managing all aspects of our fundraising programs, with a focus on grants, individual and corporate giving, and donor stewardship. The Development Manager/Director will work closely with the Managing Director, staff, and board leadership to build meaningful relationships with funders and supporters while advancing Keegan’s mission and long-term sustainability.

For nearly 30 years, Keegan Theatre has made a vibrant impact from our intimate, 120-seat home in Dupont Circle—presenting 6–8 professional mainstage productions each year and offering a welcoming space for up to 15,000 annual visitors to connect, reflect, and engage. Hailed as a “hidden gem” (Washingtonian) with a “big local impact” (Washington Business Journal), Keegan has earned 25 Helen Hayes Awards and 123 nominations, and continues to garner critical acclaim for productions.

In addition to our mainstage season, Keegan is proud to operate three signature initiatives that deepen our impact: PLAY-RAH-KA, our innovative educational program; The Boiler Room Series, our new play development incubator; and KeeganConnects, a series of community outreach opportunities. Keegan is deeply committed to expanding access to the arts, uplifting underrepresented voices, and sparking civic dialogue through our work. As our Development Manager/Director, you’ll be part of a small but mighty team working to make theatre that matters—and ensuring it remains accessible to the community we serve.

Responsibilities:

Grants Program

• Maintain Keegan’s annual grants calendar, including all grant proposal and reporting deadlines for approximately 40 existing and prospective funders
• Oversee execution of Keegan Theatre grants program:
  • Preparation: Strategizing, outlining, writing and compiling proposal content
  • Review: Circulating draft materials for timely review and editing by Development Committee and appropriate Keegan staff prior to submission of all grants and reports
  • Submission: Submitting all proposals and reports identified in the grants calendar, including all required attachments and budgets
  • Administration: Completing acceptance paperwork, managing attachments, grant reporting and monitoring
  • Monitoring: Soliciting funder feedback as available
  • Tracking: Tracking all grants activity in Asana, Keegan’s project management software
• Organize, run, and document biweekly Development meetings with Keegan staff and board to review upcoming deadlines, plan proposals and reports, and discuss organizational fundraising initiatives and events
• Conduct monthly grants research and prospecting to identify new funding opportunities and present these opportunities to Keegan leadership for review and consideration, including corporate sponsorship/funding opportunities

Individual Donation Program

• Develop relationships with individual donors. Expectation to attend performances, with particular frequency in order to implement donor perks, and meet donors and audience base.
• Oversee the growth, strategy and implementation of an individual donation prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship plan, including managing the current donor perks program, drafting appeals, thank-you letters, and other donor-related outreach.
• Work closely with Patron Services Manager to maintain CRM for donor tracking and cultivation.
• Oversee timely and comprehensive acknowledgement process for all donor gifts.
• Report to the Keegan Board of Directors on individual donations as requested by the Board Chair.
• Attend all development events. Serve as Development liaison with planning committees for fundraising and development events.

Endowment and Corporate Funding

• Expand Keegan’s new corporate finding program, develop strategies for corporate giving, initiate contacts and cultivate relationships with corporate development targets. Prospecting and making the ask are critical to this new and vital initiative.
• Knowledge of launching an endowment program preferred, or willingness to learn.

Skills

• Hybrid position requires exceptional time management. As this position is largely remote, the ideal candidate has exceptional initiative and self-discipline, as well as an aptitude for working independently on large-scale strategy as well as day-to-day tasks. Strong organizational skills as well as a confident and transparent communication style for sharing updates and action items with the Development Committee and appropriate Keegan staff.
• Hybrid position requires autonomy and flexibility while collaborating with leadership and peers.
• Ability to communicate with prospective and current donors.
• Passion for the mission of the organization.

To Apply

• Email resume, cover letter, and writing sample to jobs@keegantheatre.com