POSITION OVERVIEW
The Deputy Chief of Development drives sustainable philanthropic growth by leading a high-performing development team and advancing comprehensive fundraising strategies across multiple funding streams, including community/civic, individuals, institutions (corporate and foundation), planned giving, special events, and workplace giving to increase revenue and support Martha's Table's long-term mission.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Development Strategy & Revenue Growth- Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy that drives sustainable philanthropic growth across community/civic philanthropy, individual giving, institutional giving (corporate and foundation), planned giving, and special events.
- Collaborate with the Chief Development & Communications Officer, CEO, and senior leadership to establish annual fundraising priorities, revenue goals, and long-term growth strategies that advance Martha's Table's mission and strategic plan.
- Lead the implementation of integrated fundraising initiatives that maximize donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and long-term philanthropic investment across all revenue streams.
- Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of department-wide fundraising initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment across fundraising programs, operational excellence, and achievement of annual revenue goals.
- Analyze fundraising performance, donor trends, and philanthropic market opportunities to identify emerging opportunities and mitigate potential risks.
- Recommend strategic investments, fundraising priorities, and operational improvements that strengthen organizational revenue and long-term financial sustainability.
- Assume responsibility for achieving annual fundraising goals and revenue performance across all philanthropic funding streams.
- Represent Martha's Table with donors, philanthropic partners, corporate and foundation funders, and community leaders to strengthen relationships, expand philanthropic investment, and advance the organization's fundraising priorities.
Development Leadership & Team Management- Supervise Development team members, establishing clear performance expectations and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Direct the day-to-day operations of assigned fundraising functions, ensuring effective execution of departmental priorities and strategic initiatives.
- Mentor team members by providing coaching, fundraising expertise, and leadership development that strengthen individual performance and prepare future organizational leaders.
- Delegate responsibilities and decision-making authority to maximize staff growth, operational efficiency, and fundraising effectiveness.
- Evaluate individual and team performance through regular feedback, goal setting, and performance management processes.
- Cultivate a high-performing, donor-centered culture grounded in collaboration, innovation, and measurable fundraising outcomes.
- Develop leadership capacity across the Development team through coaching and ongoing professional development to prepare future managers and organizational leaders.
- Assume leadership of the Development department in the absence of the Chief Development & Communications Officer, ensuring continuity of operations and strategic decision-making.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Attend at least 50% of Martha's Table's anchor events annually.
- Commitment to Martha's Table's mission and core values of compassion, respect, teamwork, and accountability.
- Embodies and serves as a model for "The Martha's Table Experience" and our organization's core values.
Major Donor Strategy & Executive Portfolio Management- Manage a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and strategic prospects, developing customized strategies that increase philanthropic investment and long-term donor engagement.
- Design comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and upgrade plans that align donor interests with Martha's Table's strategic priorities.
- Provide recommendations on the fundraising strategies of the CEO, Chief Development & Communications Officer, and senior leadership with their fundraising portfolios
- Convene and facilitate organization-wide donor pipeline reviews, holding fundraising leaders accountable for portfolio performance, resolving barriers to donor movement, and ensuring alignment across all fundraising programs.
- Prepare high-quality proposals, briefing materials, stewardship reports, and donor communications that support successful fundraising outcomes.
- Strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors through strategic engagement opportunities, personalized stewardship, and senior team participation.
- Monitor portfolio performance, donor pipeline movement, and fundraising progress to ensure achievement of annual revenue goals.
- Report regularly on donor engagement, solicitation activity, pipeline health, and portfolio performance to executive leadership.
Board Engagement- Partner with the Chief Development & Communications Officer and CEO to strengthen Board fundraising engagement by supporting fundraising planning, donor strategies, and Board member participation in cultivation and solicitation activities.
- Prepare Board and Development Committee meeting materials, including fundraising reports, dashboards, donor pipeline updates, and strategic recommendations.
- Develop fundraising resources, presentations, and briefing materials that strengthen Board participation in philanthropy and donor cultivation.
- Coordinate Development Committee activities, follow-up actions, and fundraising initiatives that support organizational revenue goals.
Fundraising Operations, Performance & Reporting - Review fundraising operations, systems, and workflows to improve efficiency, strengthen donor experiences, and support organizational growth.
- Administer the Development department budget by monitoring expenditures, forecasting revenue, and ensuring effective stewardship of organizational resources.
- Partner with Finance and Operations to support revenue forecasting, budget planning, reconciliation, and organizational reporting.
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor stewardship standards, and fundraising best practices.
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs across individual, institutional, planned giving, special events, and community/civic philanthropy while achieving ambitious revenue goals.
- Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-net-worth individuals, institutional funders, and strategic partners, while partnering closely with executive leadership and Boards of Directors.
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing fundraising teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
- Proven ability to foster a culture of accountability, equity, and continuous improvement through active mentorship, clear goal-setting, and effective performance management.
- Experience overseeing organization-wide fundraising campaigns, donor portfolios, budgets, and fundraising operations, while using data and performance metrics to inform strategy and strengthen donor engagement.
- Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional partnerships and represent the organization with donors, community leaders, and philanthropic partners to advance organizational priorities and long-term financial sustainability.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and lead comprehensive fundraising strategies that inspire investment, strengthen relationships with supporters, and generate sustainable revenue across multiple funding streams.
- Ability to translate organizational priorities into meaningful opportunities for donors to invest in strong children, strong families, and strong communities.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build authentic relationships with donors, Board members, corporate and foundation partners, community leaders, and colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate Martha's Table's mission and impact through compelling storytelling that inspires long-term partnership and philanthropic investment.
- Demonstrated experience in leading, coaching, and inspiring a high-performing development team.
- Skilled at delegating responsibilities, empowering team members to grow, and cultivating a collaborative, innovative environment that aligns with Martha's Table's mission and values.
- Strong financial management and analytical skills with the ability to manage and oversee departmental budgets, monitor fundraising performance, evaluate opportunities for growth, and make thoughtful decisions that strengthen Martha's Table's long-term financial sustainability while ensuring responsible stewardship of philanthropic resources.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to lead multiple strategic initiatives, manage competing priorities, and guide complex fundraising efforts from planning through execution.
- Demonstrated ability to align people, resources, and timelines to achieve organizational goals while maintaining a high standard of excellence.
- Demonstrated ability to represent Martha's Table with professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to our mission.
- Ability to build trust across diverse communities, lead with empathy and sound judgment, and cultivate meaningful partnerships that reflect Martha's Table's values, community co-design approach, and commitment to expanding opportunity across Washington, DC.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain strong working relationships across departments, with Board members, volunteers, community partners, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to foster collaboration, align diverse perspectives, and build consensus in support of organizational goals.
- A proactive, solutions-oriented leader who is willing to step in wherever needed to support the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate changing priorities, lead through ambiguity, and contribute beyond defined responsibilities to ensure organizational success.
- Ability to identify and implement innovative fundraising strategies, donor engagement opportunities, and storytelling approaches that deepen relationships, strengthen philanthropic investment, and enhance the donor experience.
- Demonstrated ability to lead with empathy, self-awareness, and sound judgment while building trust with donors, colleagues, Board members, and community partners.
- Skilled at understanding diverse perspectives and navigating sensitive conversations with professionalism and discretion.
- Ability to anticipate challenges, evaluate complex situations, and develop thoughtful, data-informed solutions that balance organizational priorities, available resources, and long-term fundraising goals.
- Demonstrated commitment to Martha's Table's mission, values, and community co-design approach.
- Ability to represent the organization with authenticity, integrity, and respect while communicating in a strengths-based, donor-centered manner that reflects the brilliance and leadership of the communities we serve.
- Proficient in verbal/written Spanish, preferred but not required
EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, communications, marketing, public administration, public policy, or a related field plus 6-8 years, or an equivalent combination of education, professional experience, and demonstrated success leading comprehensive fundraising programs, or;
- A minimum 10 years of experience in fundraising or a related field.
- Ongoing professional development in fundraising leadership, donor engagement, Board partnership, financial stewardship, and emerging philanthropic best practices will strengthen performance and support the continued growth of Martha's Table's fundraising program is preferred.
- Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential or other relevant fundraising certification is preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; talk or hear; taste or smell. The team member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
COVID-19
Martha's Table requires all team members to have:
