Director of Development (20 hours /week)

Wondermore’s mission is to spark a love of books and reading and strengthen literacy skills by connecting Boston-area students with authors and illustrators who reflect our vibrant and diverse communities.

Wondermore works collaboratively with Title I schools in Boston, Chelsea, Quincy, and Cambridge, pairing schools with authors and illustrators whose books and presentations motivate students to read, write, and see that their own stories matter. Authors conduct interactive sessions for students and each student who attends an author session receives an autographed copy of the presenter’s book.

Our work is grounded in research demonstrating the positive impact of author visits and access to culturally relevant books. Annual surveys of our school partners consistently show that Wondermore visits increase students' motivation to read and write while strengthening their sense of belonging.

Wondermore is supported by a combination of individual donors, foundation grants, and earned revenue.

The organization has experienced significant growth in recent years and is seeking a Director of Development who can help build on this momentum. The successful candidate will help strengthen existing fundraising programs while identifying new opportunities for individual, foundation, and corporate support.

The Director of Development will join a small, committed staff including an Executive Director, Director of Operations and Director of Programming. All positions are part time, including this 20 hour per week position.

Job Summary

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with great people skills, good networking experience, commitment to Wondermore’s mission and a demonstrated track-record of successful nonprofit fundraising to help grow Wondermore and the Authors-in-Schools Program.

The Director of Development will lead the planning and implementation of Wondermore's fundraising strategy, support the organization's long-term financial sustainability and growth, build relationships with individual donors, foundations, corporations, and community partners. The Director of Development will collaborate with the Executive Director and the Director of Operations on fundraising strategy, donor communications, and CRM management.

Experience developing long-range fundraising strategies and generating new revenue streams is preferred.

All staff members participate in author and illustrator visits throughout the year. This means typically attending 15-20 school visits annually, providing opportunities to witness the direct impact of our programs, to gather stories for donor communications, and to build a deeper connection to our mission.

Because our mission centers on ensuring that all students see themselves reflected in books and the people who create them, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are integral to our work. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences and particularly encourage candidates whose experiences reflect the communities we serve.

While the list of responsibilities makes this look like a full-time position, this is truly designed to be a part-time position. Responsibilities will be prioritized and shared among staff to ensure a manageable workload.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement annual fundraising plans and revenue strategies
• Coordinate annual fundraising appeals and donor communications
• Research, write, and manage foundation and corporate grant proposals and reports
• Identify and cultivate prospective funders
• Maintain accurate records and reports
• Partner with the staff and board on fundraising initiatives
• Assist with newsletters, social media, and impact storytelling

Ideal Qualifications

• A minimum of 4 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including individual giving and grant writing
• Demonstrated success meeting fundraising goals
• Excellent writing, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Experience using donor management databases/CRM systems
• Commitment to Wondermore's mission and educational equity
• Corporate sponsorship and partnership development experience
• Experience developing major donor programs
• Familiarity with the Greater Boston philanthropic community
• Experience in education, literacy, arts, or youth-serving nonprofits
• Flexible schedule and ability to drive to schools for author visits
• Availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Compensation: $32,000 for September to June, averaging 20 hours per week. Summer hours as needed, up to ten hours per week with additional compensation.

Paid Time Off: Wondermore provides unlimited paid time off. We measure success by outcomes rather than hours worked. Employees may take time off as needed, provided that job responsibilities and deadlines are met and time away is coordinated with the Executive Director to ensure continuity of operations.

Application

To apply, please submit a cover letter describing your interest in Wondermore's mission and your relevant fundraising experience, along with a resume, to info@wondermoreboston.org

Deadline: July 20, 2026

Paid Time Off: Wondermore provides unlimited paid time off. We measure success by outcomes

rather than hours worked. Employees may take time off as needed, provided that job

responsibilities and deadlines are met and time away is coordinated with the Executive Director

to ensure continuity of operations.