Director of Development

About Brooklyn Boatworks

Brooklyn Boatworks (BKBW) harnesses the unique craft of wooden boatbuilding and maritime-centered exploration to inspire young people to uncover the confidence, skills, and courage to chart pathways to success in and outside the classroom. Through hands-on boatbuilding, sailing, and career exploration, BKBW engages hundreds of New York City students annually in meaningful, project-based learning.

Position Summary

Brooklyn Boatworks seeks an experienced, mission-driven Development Director to serve as a key member of the organization’s leadership team. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director will lead fundraising strategy, systems, and execution while building the relationships and internal infrastructure needed to support Brooklyn Boatworks’ next phase of growth.

This is a meaningful opportunity for a hands-on development professional to strengthen and professionalize fundraising operations for one of New York City’s most distinctive youth development organizations. The Development Director will supervise the Development Coordinator and partner closely with the Executive Director, Resource Development Committee, and Board to expand contributed revenue, deepen donor engagement, and ensure Brooklyn Boatworks has the resources needed to advance its mission.

The Development Director will oversee annual fundraising planning, donor cultivation and stewardship, grants and institutional funding, campaigns and events, CRM and data tracking, acknowledgments, and development communications to meet a $1.5M revenue goal in FY 2026-2027. The role will also prepare Board-facing materials and help translate fundraising strategy into clear opportunities for Board engagement.

This position requires some evening and weekend work.

To apply for this position please send a cover letter and resume to inquiries@brooklynboatworks.org.

We will begin reviewing applications as they are received. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Planning

• Develop and manage an annual development plan with clear revenue goals, timelines, strategies, and accountability measures.
• Partner with the Executive Director,Resource Development Committee, and Development Coordinator to align fundraising priorities with organizational strategy.
• Track progress against goals and use data to guide decisions, identify gaps, and adjust strategies.

Individual Giving, Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Manage donor cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgment, and stewardship across individual giving programs.
• Build and maintain a healthy donor pipeline, including prospects, current donors, lapsed donors, and major gift opportunities.
• Prepare donor communications, meeting briefings, follow-up materials, and stewardship touchpoints.

Grants, Institutional Funding & Development Communications

• Support research, writing, submission, and reporting for foundation, corporate, government, and other institutional funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with program and communications staff to gather stories, statistics, outcomes, and impact data for proposals, reports, appeals, and marketing materials.
• Ensure development communications are accurate, compelling, timely, and aligned with Brooklyn Boatworks’ mission and voice.

Events, Campaigns & Community Engagement

• Lead the development and execution of fundraising events, campaigns, and appeals, including writing compelling donor communications, solicitation materials, and campaign messaging.
• Work with Board members and volunteers to identify prospects, make introductions, host or attend cultivation opportunities, and support donor stewardship.
• Represent Brooklyn Boatworks with donors, funders, partners, and community stakeholders.

Systems, Operations & Board Support

• Maintain and improve development systems, including CRM/data entry standards, donor records, gift tracking, reporting, and follow-up workflows.
• Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgments, stewardship records, pledge tracking, and documentation of donor and prospect activity.
• Prepare Board and Resource Development Committee materials, including pipeline updates, progress reports, prospect lists, meeting briefings, and action items.
• Help translate fundraising strategy into clear, manageable Board participation opportunities, including introductions, cultivation, stewardship, and event support.
• Support strong internal coordination by working closely with the Executive Director, program staff, finance, communications, and Board leadership.
• Supervise, support, and help prioritize the work of a Development Coordinator, including gift processing, data entry, acknowledgments, event support, and administrative follow-up.

The responsibilities above are intended to provide an overview of the role and are not an exhaustive list of duties.

Qualifications

• Commitment to youth development, hands-on learning, and Brooklyn Boatworks’ mission
• 7–10 years of fundraising experience with proven success driving $3M+ revenue
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, corporate partnerships, and/or foundation/government grants
• Excellent storyteller and relationship builder; confident engaging donors and Board members
• Strategic thinker with strong operational skills, project management, and CRM proficiency

Benefits

Brooklyn Boatworks offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $115,000.

Brooklyn Boatworks is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

How to Apply

To apply for this position please send a cover letter and resume to inquiries@brooklynboatworks.org.

Brooklyn Boatworks offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off.