Development Director

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director will be the key member of the development team charged with helping to increase the philanthropic revenue for the organization to support its strategic plan and sustainability and growth goals. This role will be a key decision-maker and influencer, spearheading our philanthropic strategy and nurturing our generous donor base. The Development Director will provide leadership and management of the organization’s fundraising strategy including annual giving, events, volunteer management, development research, and leadership and major giving from individuals and institutions.

A successful Development Director will be a strong collaborator and manager of staff, and will support the major fundraising work of Rehearsal for Life in collaboration with the RFL leadership team.. They will work to advance the visibility and profile of Rehearsal for Life among key stakeholders in alignment with the vision, values and goals of the organization.

More About What RFL is Looking For:

• Significant experience in nonprofit fundraising with demonstrated success building donor relationships and closing major gifts of $10,000+
• History of leading philanthropic efforts at organizations with annual budgets of $1,000,000+
• Proficiency in Google Suite, CRM software, donor databases and other fundraising technology
• Familiarity with Boston philanthropic and educational communities
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices including research and cultivation, face-to-face solicitation, proposal writing, special events, phone solicitation, direct mail, gift processing, ethics, and fundraising reporting
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team setting
• Superb written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to relate to a diverse range of people, exercise cultural competence, and further diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
• Deep appreciation for the organization's mission for creative youth programming

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Collaborative Leadership

• Partner creatively with the Executive Director, Co-Creative Directors, and Program Leads to align fundraising with strategic artistic, educational and organizational goals
• Actively contribute to the RFL Leadership Team, bringing fresh ideas and solutions to weekly collaborative meetings
• Empower and coach Board members in their fundraising efforts, helping them tell compelling stories about our impact on young people
• Bridge the gap between programming and fundraising by immersing yourself in our youth performances and workshops to authentically champion our work

Individual Giving & Major Gifts

• Orchestrate innovative, fundraising campaigns that inspire donors and fuel our growth year after year
• Design and implement strategies to diversify our supporter community, boost giving at all levels, and cultivate meaningful donor relationships
• Personally steward a portfolio of current and potential individual donors, helping them see the transformative power of RFL’s programming

Event Management

• Drive sponsorship solicitation strategies for RFL’s signature "Banned in Boston" fundraiser (generating $400K+)
• Build excitement and engagement among event committees, sponsors, donors and guests through imaginative communication and personal outreach
• Collaborate with Leadership Team on diversifying fundraising events throughout the year including Winter and Spring Fests, program performances and culminating events, and other new events

Institutional Relationships

• Team up with the ED and Program Directors to grow relationships with local institutional donors and family foundations who share our passion for youth arts
• Guide our grant writer in crafting compelling proposals and impact reports; personally nurture relationships with high-capacity institutional funders

Marketing & Branding

• Help create dynamic fundraising materials that capture the energy and impact of our youth programs
• Craft authentic messaging that resonates and inspires a diverse community of stakeholders in our organization

WORK LOCATION(S)

This position is based in Jamaica Plain, MA with programming in many Boston neighborhoods and communities in the greater Boston area (Brookline, Newton, Needham, Medfield) and requires regular, in-person meetings at our co-working space in Jamaica Plain, MA as well as in-person program visits, events, donor meetings, etc. Flexible work options for this role will be discussed during the interview process, but the exact schedule may be subject to change due to any operational and organizational needs.

WORK EXPECTATIONS

• All Rehearsal for Life employees are expected to be:
  • On time and ready for work at the beginning of their workday;
  • Careful and conscientious in the performance of their work;
  • Respectful and considerate of others; and
  • Courteous and helpful when dealing with other staff members and with youth, supporters, and the general public.
• Due to the collaborative nature of the Rehearsal for Life Leadership Team, members are expected to:
  • Have an awareness and acceptance of respectful feedback around work attitudes and their impact on others, contribution and commitment to group norm decisions, an acceptance of thoughtful performance evaluation, and an understanding of teamwork as a leading communal philosophy