Development Director
About The Position
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. Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) is a nationally recognized public high school that integrates rigorous academics with intensive arts training. The Ellington Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves as the primary fundraising partner supporting DESA’s programs, student opportunities, and institutional priorities. Together, these entities operate in close alignment to ensure sustainable growth and continued excellence. 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, and 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.
Requirements
- 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
- Results-oriented fundraising leader with a demonstrated ability to generate revenue, build relationships, and operate effectively in a mission-driven environment.
Nice To Haves
- Takes full ownership of fundraising outcomes, with a clear track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
- Builds trust quickly with donors, Board members, and stakeholders; able to influence without authority and navigate complex relationships.
- Balances long-term vision with near-term execution; able to pivot strategies based on data, feedback, and opportunity.
- Demonstrates strong follow-through, organization, and pipeline management; consistently converts strategy into measurable outcomes.
- Communicates with confidence and clarity; represents the organization effectively with high-level donors and partners.
- Displays a genuine commitment to arts education, youth development, and equity in access to opportunity.
- Comfortable operating in a growth environment; able to build systems, processes, and structure where needed.
Responsibilities
- 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
- 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
- Oversee grant strategy and pipeline development
- Secure foundation, corporate, and government funding
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the Principal/Head of Schools
- Support Board engagement in fundraising efforts
- Provide regular performance reporting and strategic insight
- Strengthen development operations, systems, and data utilization
- Build a culture of accountability and performance within the function
- Supervise staff and external partners
Benefits
- Competitive benefits package
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
1-10 employees
