Director of Development

Director of Development
Chorus America

Chorus America is the advocacy, research, and leadership development organization that advances the choral field. Our mission is to strengthen singing communities with the advocacy, connections, and resources they need to be a vital part of society.  We do this by supporting and serving choral conductors, administrators, board members, and singers with a wide array of programs, publications, research, and professional services. These services strengthen their ability to build strong organizations that foster quality choral performances and leverage the unique characteristics of choral/group singing to build community. Chorus America currently serves more than 6,000 choruses, individuals, businesses, and organizations. 

Chorus America is at an exciting state of post-pandemic recovery and evolution, launching a comprehensive next chapter and strategy.  Access, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) is central to our mission and organization, focusing on racial justice in the choral field. When Chorus America was founded over 40 years ago, its mission was to serve professional choruses and uphold standards that centered on Western European musical traditions. Our organization acknowledges this history, and we continue to take meaningful action steps to represent and serve the vibrant diversity of the choral field and live up to our current mission. To learn more about Chorus America’s Strategic Objectives and accompanying goals that will shape our work during FY23-25, click here.   

Chorus America is governed by a diverse Board of Directors, currently comprising 36 accomplished arts leaders from across the United States and Canada. The 12-member staff is mainly headquartered in Washington, DC, with several staff outside of the region working remotely full-time. For the fiscal year ending August 2022, Chorus America reported a total revenue of $2.15 million, total expenses of $2.14 million, and anticipates an annual budget in the range of $2-$2.5 million, which includes approximately $475,000-500,000 that is distributed directly to the field through our music education grant program. Not including regranting funds and related operations, the Development team currently raises approximately $700K - $800K through annual fund campaigns, major gifts program, corporate sponsorships, special events, an early-stage legacy giving program, foundation and government grants. 
 

The Director of Development is key to maintaining Chorus America’s effectiveness, growth, and national standing in serving choruses and the professionals who lead them. Fundraising leadership includes the CEO, senior staff, and the Board.  

WORK LOCATION  

In addition to our fully remote team members, Chorus America currently supports a hybrid working environment. The Washington, DC area team is in the office 2 days per week with 3 days per week working at home/remotely (this is subject to change). Our small staff has built a dynamic and strong team culture rooted in collaboration and relationship-building. We continue to adapt our culture and approach to teamwork to bridge in-person and remote staff communication. A fully remote status will be considered for this position with travel expected for onboarding and team building. Additional travel requirements are outlined below. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Leadership & Implementation  

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan inclusive of institutional, corporate, and individual giving with measurable annual goals that will enable Chorus America to meet its current budget and achieve future growth;  
• Work in collaboration with executive staff on annual and long-term financial planning to ensure organizational growth and sustainability;  
• Supervise, coach, and establish annual performance goals for direct report (to be hired) while fostering belonging and trust within the team; 
• Lead, plan, and manage development events including cultivation and stewardship events and an annual fundraising Gala; 
• Oversee design and preparation of all digital and online fundraising materials and communications in coordination with the Communications department; 
• Uphold the highest professional standards and ethics for fundraising and ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state and local regulations and guidelines;  
• Actively contribute to fostering a supportive, collegial, service-oriented culture at Chorus America. 

Board of Directors 

• Participate as the lead staff member liaison to the board development committee to communicate fundraising goals and participate in board meetings by providing reports and presentations; 
• Strategically leverage the time and connections of Chorus America Board Members and the CEO to achieve fundraising goals; provide support for CEO and Board member direct fundraising engagement. 

Institutional, Corporate, and Individual Giving  

• Maintain and grow a robust portfolio of individual donors of all levels, oversee all stewardship and recognition; 
  • Ensure that donors feel seen, valued, heard and known through a stewardship and moves management process; 
• Manage donor engagement and data tracking through our new AMS;  
• Implement and manage institutional grant proposal processes; 
• Build compelling mission-aligned opportunities for program sponsorship, communicate the benefits of corporate and organizational support, and foster meaningful relationships with current and prospective partners.   

IF YOU WERE WORKING WITH US, HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WOULD DO DURING YOUR FIRST 90-DAYS:  

• Use fundraising goals to set workplan and identify major milestones for the upcoming year;  
• Meet with the Chair of the Board’s Development Committee to discuss committee involvement and plan future activities; 
• Hold virtual or phone meetings with identified individual and corporate donor prospects and current partners to create engagement or steward relationships; 
• Co-create job description for development manager position; 
• Provide development updates at the weekly (virtual) all staff meeting, joining your colleagues from the Washington, DC; Austin, TX; Detroit, MI; and Boston, MA metro areas. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Excellent understanding of fundraising principles and demonstrated success in annual giving, major giving, planned giving, event planning, capital campaigns, marketing, and communications; 
• Five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience;  
• Willingness and ability to work at both a strategic and tactical level, both managing others and directly executing tasks as necessary;  
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading ability; 
• Strong interpersonal, verbal communication, and presentation skills;  
• Experience with writing and managing successful grant applications; 
• Database and spreadsheet proficiency; 
• Must be able to travel and be available for weekend work occasionally, including but not limited to: onboarding, board meetings, cultivation meetings and events with current and potential donors, professional development opportunities, staff retreats, and one-week each year in June as staff for annual Chorus America Conference. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE PREFERENCE  

• Bachelor's degree; 
• Track record of closing significant gifts (four-figure and higher); 
• A history of meeting or exceeding contributed income goals;  
• Previous management experience; 
• Experience in the field of nonprofit art, business, culture and/or social justice is preferred.