Organizational Overview

Educare DC serves over 350 children from birth to five years – and their families – through our state-of-the-art center and through community partnerships. Building on the program foundations of Early Head Start and Head Start and accredited by NAEYC, Educare DC promotes school readiness by providing high-quality, comprehensive early learning programming for children who are historically underserved due to systemic racism, eliminating the opportunity gap often experienced by low-income communities. Educare DC is part of the 25-school Educare Learning Network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies nationally and within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive, research-based approach to the first five years of life and learning. Educare DC draws on a blend of private and public dollars, including federal childcare funding, Early Head Start, Pre-K, and other state and federal funding streams.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Development and Communications is responsible for the strategy and implementation of all fundraising and external communications for Educare DC. Reporting to and working closely with the President and CEO, and supported by 2 staff, you will identify potential donors in the Washington region and inspire them to support our work. You will be taking over leadership of a solid fundraising operation with an excellent base of foundation grants, quality communications, and good systems – in our $17 million budget, currently $2.2 million is private donations, mostly from foundations. This will be a highly visible external role, building and focusing on increasing our major gifts program by soliciting gifts of $5 thousand and above. You will guide and support the board of directors to leverage their networks and be actively involved in development activities by being a resource, trusted partner, and facilitator. You will support board members as they grow to become strong Educare DC ambassadors. Through a strengths-based and ethical storytelling lens, you will amplify awareness so donors and supporters can participate in Educare DC’s impact.

Responsibilities

Fundraising

Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve annual fundraising goals, in collaboration with the President and CEO.
Work closely with the board of directors, board chair, and the board’s development and governance committees to achieve goals related to charitable revenue and board member recruitment.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward appropriate private funders for programs, including foundation, individual, and corporate donors. Develop and execute donor stewardship plans, engaging a range of giving vehicles that best suit donor needs.
Actively identify and target prospects and cultivate existing donors for continued support. Make creative connections between and among people, events, programs, and their associated circles. Leverage tours of our state-of-the-art schools to inspire and engage prospects and donors.
Manage existing foundation grants by nurturing relationships, providing solid reporting, and illuminating the value and impact of their grants.
Lead and manage outsourced vendors, including grant writing, web maintenance and design, event management, and communications consultants to ensure execution of goals and priorities.

Organizational leadership

Serve as a member of a five-person executive team, providing strategic input on organization-wide planning and related activities, and serving as a thought partner to the President and CEO.
Act as a steward of organizational culture and internal communications with a focus on DEI and anti-racism efforts, through a lens of ethical storytelling and by amplifying parent and practitioner voices.
Inform and support the annual private revenue budgeting process, developing projections, and managing reports to guide organizational decision-making. Work closely with the finance office to coordinate financial data and maintain accurate reporting and grants administration.
Lead the team responsible for all fundraising operations including database maintenance, data analysis, gift processing and acknowledgment, and grant reporting.
Responsible for managing department budget.
Work with the CEO and senior leaders to shape long-term organizational goals and strategic priorities.
Advise the CEO on organizational and operational matters.
Direct, allocate, and align resources to support the attainment of the organization’s goals.

Marketing, communications, and external relations

Lead external relations, providing leadership and vision for Educare DC’s communications, marketing, and PR.
Create messaging that supports fundraising and inspires giving through a variety of communications (e.g., newsletters, fundraising appeals, annual report, social media, etc.). Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, highlighting program staff knowledge and expertise for external communications.
Facilitate local and national media opportunities in concert with President and CEO.
Leverage brand assets and materials provided by the Educare Learning Network marketing.

EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES

Bachelor's degree with ten years of experience with nonprofit organizations in a variety of development roles, including direct donor relationships and communications.
Experience building a major gifts program and deep experience in all aspects of the fundraising cycle of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Experience soliciting five- and six-figure gifts.
Experience working with all aspects of fundraising including foundation relations, major gifts, grant writing, donor communications, and events management.
Knowledge of the D.C.-region philanthropic community is a plus.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, and the ability to interface effectively with a broad range of constituents including donors, public officials, board members, school staff, parents, and public officials.
Proven record of effective leadership; ability to develop strong teams and provide unflinching support for colleagues. Champion for diversity and inclusion with demonstrated ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Ability to create a results-focused environment of discipline, accountability, and consistent follow-through.
Strategic planning experience and the ability to transition from envisioning the big picture to operationalizing plans.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree considered a plus.

Additional Job Requirements

Clearance of background checks as required by local, state, and federal regulations.
Physical examination and diagnostic tests as required by local, state, and federal regulations.
A bi-annual physical exam, drug screen and TB test are required as a condition of continual employment.

Essential Job Functions

Advanced command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written.
Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed.
Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, fax machine, copier, and tape recorder.
Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
Must be able to travel.
Must be able to enter and exit a vehicle without assistance and withstand exposure to adverse weather conditions.
Experience working successfully with a culturally diverse staff and clients.
Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
This position may work 40 or more hours per week.

Educare DC

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Sr. Director of Development and Communication