Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) & The Ellington Fund
Washington, DC (On-Site)

Overview

Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA), in partnership with The Ellington Fund, seeks an accomplished and entrepreneurial Development Director to lead its fundraising strategy and execution at a critical stage of institutional growth.

This is a high-visibility leadership role with direct accountability for philanthropic revenue generation, donor engagement, and long-term development infrastructure. The Development Director will work closely with the Principal/Head of Schools and an engaged Board of Directors to expand the organization's philanthropic base and advance its mission.

The Role

The Development Director will design and execute a comprehensive, integrated fundraising strategy, with a focus on:

• Generating new philanthropic revenue
• Expanding and diversifying the donor base
• Strengthening major gifts and institutional funding
• Building scalable development systems and processes

This leader will combine strategic vision with hands-on execution, operating as both a senior advisor and a frontline fundraiser.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Revenue Growth

• Develop and implement a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with institutional priorities
• Establish annual goals, KPIs, and revenue targets
• Identify and pursue diversified funding streams

Major Gifts Leadership

• Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Partner with senior leadership and Board members on key donor relationships

Institutional Funding

• Oversee grant strategy and pipeline development
• Secure foundation, corporate, and government funding

Board & Executive Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Principal/Head of Schools
• Support Board engagement in fundraising efforts
• Provide regular performance reporting and strategic insight

Infrastructure & Team Development

• Strengthen development operations, systems, and data utilization
• Build a culture of accountability and performance within the function
• Supervise staff and external partners

Performance Expectations

This is a performance-driven role with clear accountability:

• Deliver a minimum of $250,000 in new philanthropic revenue annually, directly attributable to individual efforts
• Build and maintain a donor pipeline of at least 3x annual revenue targets
• Meet defined quarterly revenue benchmarks
• Maintain strong donor engagement and retention outcomes

Performance is evaluated on a quarterly and annual basis, with direct alignment to compensation.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a results-oriented fundraising leader with a demonstrated ability to generate revenue, build relationships, and operate effectively in a mission-driven environment.

Professional Experience

• 7-10+ years of progressive fundraising and development experience
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and institutional funding
• Experience working closely with executive leadership and Boards
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage donor pipelines

Ideal Leadership Traits

Top-tier candidates will bring the following attributes:

1. Revenue Ownership & Accountability

Takes full ownership of fundraising outcomes, with a clear track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.

2. Relationship-Driven Influence

Builds trust quickly with donors, Board members, and stakeholders; able to influence without authority and navigate complex relationships.

3. Strategic Agility

Balances long-term vision with near-term execution; able to pivot strategies based on data, feedback, and opportunity.

4. Execution Discipline

Demonstrates strong follow-through, organization, and pipeline management; consistently converts strategy into measurable outcomes.

5. Executive Presence

Communicates with confidence and clarity; represents the organization effectively with high-level donors and partners.

6. Mission Alignment

Displays a genuine commitment to arts education, youth development, and equity in access to opportunity.

7. Builder Mindset

Comfortable operating in a growth environment; able to build systems, processes, and structure where needed.

Compensation

• Base Salary: $110,000 (aligned with and supported by new revenue generation)
• Performance Bonus: 10%-20%
• Additional incentive opportunities for exceeding targets
• Competitive benefits package

Work Environment

• On-site role in Washington, DC (remote work not available)
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments required

Search Process

DESA and The Ellington Fund are conducting a national search for this role. Interested candidates should submit a resume and a brief statement of interest outlining relevant experience and alignment with the mission.