Director of Development

Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities is partnering with Dragonfly Central to find a dynamic Director of Development who will create a successful development strategy to ensure Quality Trust’s funding for program management and development.

About Quality Trust

Quality Trust, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves as an independent advocacy and monitoring organization in the District of Columbia. Initially created as part of a settlement agreement in a long-standing class action litigation, Quality Trust has grown into a multi-dimensional organization providing support and assistance to children and adults in the District of Columbia and beyond. Quality Trust is known for its commitment to supporting people with developmental disabilities to live the best life possible and provides national leadership around the promotion and exercise of self-determination and individual rights.

Quality Trust has a dedicated, passionate, professional staff of 19 and an annual budget of $2.9M. Quality Trust’s revenue comes from a variety of sources, including donations, grants, contracts, and investments. For more information, please visit DCQualityTrust.org.

The Position

The Director of Development leads Quality Trust’s Development team and is responsible for developing the organization’s fundraising strategy, as well as its execution. The Director oversees all development efforts to reach budgeted fundraising goals and grow our funding base, including individual giving, major donor cultivation and engagement, events-based fundraising including corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, board giving, and other emerging philanthropic strategies. The Director plays a key role in building a sustainable fundraising culture with revenue growth year over year. The Director is supervised by and reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Director of Development will, in coordination with the CEO and Board Development Chair, establish annual and multi-year fundraising plans, track performance, and regularly report progress to the CEO and Board of Directors. The Director will also:

• Develop and execute an annual donor strategy that includes revenue-generating campaigns and donor engagement and communications that ensure strong supporter relationships.
• Develop and execute a major donor strategy that includes prospect research; serve as the main point of contact for all major donors; and work with and advise staff and board members on donor cultivation, solicitation, and engagement.
• Plan all aspects of fundraising events, including recruitment of sponsors and silent auction donors, promotion of ticket sales, marketing of the event, event logistics, management of volunteers and vendors, tracking funds raised, and post-event assessment of effectiveness.
• Serve as liaison to the Board’s Development Committee, working with the CEO and Development Committee Chair to plan committee meetings, create and implement an Annual Development Plan, leverage board members’ networks, and support 100% board giving including maximum participation in fundraising and friend-raising events.
• Support the CEO’s fundraising work, advising on where and how to best spend time on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
• Oversee the identification and pursuit of relevant foundation and government grant opportunities in partnership with the Deputy Director of Outreach and program staff that advance and align with the organization’s mission. Serve as lead in communicating with grant-based funders to grow the relationship and identify additional opportunities for support.
• Partner with the Deputy Director of Outreach to ensure compelling storytelling, consistent messaging and branding, and donor-centered content in all fundraising materials and donor communications.
• In partnership with the CEO and Deputy Director of Outreach, represent Quality Trust in meetings with funders, community events, and other forums as needed to attract funding and engage with prospective supporters.
• Stay abreast of and incorporate current trends and best practices in nonprofit fundraising.
• Identify opportunities for new or expanded fundraising initiatives aligned with Quality Trust’s mission, vision, and values.
• Oversee the donor management system, ensuring maintenance of accurate donor records and reporting, proper donation processing, and compliance with all tax, legal, and licensure requirements related to fundraising.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Experience and Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree required with a degree in nonprofit management, business, or a related field preferred.
• At least 8-10 years of progressive experience working in nonprofit fundraising with a demonstrated ability to meet or exceed fundraising goals, including managing and growing individual giving campaigns, major donor efforts, and corporate giving.
• Proven track record in securing major individual, corporate, and grant-funded donations, including 5 and 6-figure gifts.
• Ability to communicate concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing, including excellent writing, editing, and presentation skills, and ability to tailor messages to suit the intended audience.
• Ability to analyze and use data and metrics to shape goals and strategies.
• Strong donor prospecting and relationship-building skills.
• Must be able to work with sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to work independently and create goals and objectives based on CEO expectations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including patience, flexibility, consideration, discretion, tact, confidence, and initiative.
• Knowledge of fundraising databases required; knowledge of Bonterra/Network for Good preferred.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office (e.g. Outlook, Word, and Excel).
• Skill at fundraising for events, with the ability to engage corporate donors preferred.
• Familiarity with fundraising opportunities in DC preferred.
• Personal interest and commitment to disability rights preferred.

In addition to a competitive base salary of $110 – 125K, Quality Trust also provides generous benefits including access to robust health and dental insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; contribution to a retirement plan; 25 days of PTO, and 13 paid holidays.

Application Process

Quality Trust is partnering with Dragonfly Central to find the best candidate for the Director of Development position. To apply, email a cover letter that details your fit with the position’s requirements and a chronological resume to QualityTrust@dragonflycentral.org .

For all other inquiries, contact Ginna Goodenow at ginna@dragonflycentral.org .

QT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law.

Quality Trust provides generous benefits including access to robust health and dental insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; contribution to a retirement plan; 25 days of PTO, and 13 paid holidays.

Fluent English proficiency required.