Overview:    

Position Summary:

The Director of Development plays a vital role in supporting the museum’s mission to inspire learning through play by leading efforts to build sustainable financial support. As a senior member of the team, this position oversees all aspects of fundraising operations and strategy—including individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, and donor stewardship—and works closely with the CEO, Philanthropy Officer, and board members to engage the community in meaningful ways. The Director fosters a culture of generosity that fuels the museum’s programs, exhibits, and outreach efforts for children and families. 

Qualifications:    

Position Requirements:

 Demonstrated success in securing gifts and building lasting donor relationships. Ability to engage active listening skills and problem-solving mentality to help create a win-win for the donor and the museum.

 Ability to think entrepreneurially and strategically regarding the identification and qualification of new

potential donors. 

 Ability to independently move prospects through the donor cycle from discovery/qualification to cultivation to solicitation to stewardship.

 Ability to work within complex data management systems and to maintain timely and appropriate donor records.

 Ability to maintain confidentiality and to operate with decorum and professionalism.

 Ability to work responsibly within a set budget.

 Strong interpersonal skills with a passion for promoting learning, play, and community enrichment.

 High-level organizational and communication abilities, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving. 

Education and/or Experience:

 Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit leadership, education, or arts management preferred. CFRE certification a plus.

 Minimum of 10 years of fundraising experience, ideally within a museum or children-focused nonprofit with 5-8 years of experience at a manager level or above.

 Familiarity with donor database systems and CRM platforms; experience with DonorPerfect a plus.

 Experience in children’s education, arts, or cultural programming preferred.

 Experience managing staff and implementing donor-centered development practices.

 Familiarity with DEAI principles in fundraising and development preferred.

 Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred. 

Supervisory Responsibility:

Development department staff & contract grant writer. 

Job Responsibilities:    

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

Fundraising Leadership

 Develop and implement creative fundraising strategies that align with the museum’s mission to promote learning through play.

 Oversee diverse revenue streams including major gifts, monthly giving, community events, planned giving, and foundation grants.

 Cultivate relationships with donors, sponsors, and supporters who share a passion for early childhood development, education, and creativity.

 Maintain a personal portfolio of donors and actively participate in solicitation and stewardship efforts.

Grant & Proposal Management

 Supervise the grant writer to develop and manage proposals that support educational programming and outreach initiatives.

 Coordinate internal input for proposals and reporting, ensuring alignment with program needs. Seek grant opportunities that reflect the museum’s values of accessibility, inclusion, and playful learning.

 Support communication with funders regarding deadlines, outcomes, and requests for information. Ensure timely reporting and alignment with funders' expectations and compliance requirements.

Team Oversight

 Provide leadership and guidance to development team members, promoting a collaborative and mission-driven work environment.

 Assign and monitor projects, encourage professional growth, and conduct regular performance evaluations.

 Support innovative approaches to donor engagement, storytelling, and campaign execution.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

 Partner with the Philanthropy Officer to create donor experiences that reflect the playful spirit of the museum.

 Organize fundraising events, VIP events and behind-the-scenes experiences that highlight the impact of giving.

 Oversee accurate donor records, acknowledgment processes, and engagement metrics.

Executive Collaboration & Board Engagement

 Collaborate with the CEO, CFOO, CXO, and board on strategic initiatives and fundraising priorities.

 Prepare dashboards, campaign updates, and donor impact summaries for leadership review. Track key metrics related to donor activity, grant performance, and revenue goals.

 Support the board development committee and assist in ambassador engagement strategies.

Budget Oversight

 Manage the development budget, ensuring efficient use of resources and alignment with strategic priorities.