Associate Director of Individual Giving
Ford's, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
The Associate Director of Individual Giving is a new position that leads Ford’s Theatre’s strategy to steward and expand the portfolio of individual donors at the $5,000+ level. This position manages a rapidly growing portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, develops and implements individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies and partners closely with the Director of Development to drive long-term revenue growth.
The Associate Director also supervises the Individual Giving & Membership Manager, ensuring alignment and cohesion across membership, mid-level giving and major gifts and expanding the pipeline of supporters across all individual giving tiers. This role is central to building a strong culture of philanthropy amongst individual donors at Ford’s Theatre.
The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible to work within stated Ford’s hybrid work guidelines which includes up to 2 days a week remote. Ford’s Theatre Society values and is committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce and working environment. Ford’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, neurodiversity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management
Manage a portfolio of prospects and donorswho are currentlygiving, or have the capacity togive,$5,000+ annually.
Develop and executethe creative and distinctivecultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to increase donor engagement and revenue.Partner with senior leadershiponhigh-level donor engagement opportunities.
Conduct regular donor meetingsandpersonalized outreach to deepen relationships and secure increased support.Prepare compelling proposals, reports and donor communications tailored to donor interests.
Bring a data-drivenapproachportfolio management,ensureaccuratedonor records,real-timereporting andclearmoves management tracking in Tessitura.
Program Oversight andCross-Departmental Collaboration
Partner with the Director of Development to design and implement long-term strategies for donor acquisition, retentionandupgradesacross individual giving.
Ensure strong stewardship practices,timelyacknowledgements and fulfillment of donor benefits in partnership with the Manager of Individual Giving and Membership.
Collaborate with the Associate Director of Special Eventsfordonor cultivation and stewardship events, including major donor receptions and special gatherings.
Collaboratewith theMarketing andCommunications team to develop donor-focused messaging, appeals and digital content.
Team Leadership andOrganizational Engagement
Createalignment between membership, mid-level giving and major gift strategies to create a cohesive donor journey.
SupervisetheIndividual Giving and Membership Manager, providing mentorshipandstrategic guidancewhile fostering acollaborative, high-performing culture.
Serve as a visible ambassador for Ford’s Theatre at performancesandevents.
Leadguided tours and personalized experiences for major donors and prospects.Participate inoccasionaltrainingsto stay current with Ford’s interpretations of historic events and their relevancy today.
Participate in strategic planning discussions and contribute to department-wide fundraising initiatives.
Other duties as assigned.
Q ualifications Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated success in frontline fundraising, including cultivating,soliciting and closing major giftsfrom individuals.
Experiencewithavariety of individual giving channels,inclusive ofdirect mailandmembership.
Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience developing staff.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of donors, staff, volunteers and senior leadership.Consummate team player.
Ability to manage multiple prioritieswhilemeetingdeadlinesandretainingstrong attention to detail.
Data-driven approach to fundraising, prospect management and portfolio management.Tessitura experience preferred;experience with the application of ethical and responsible AI in fundraising a plus.
Demonstrated understanding and application of best practices inprospect research tools and methodologies.High degree of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality.
Creative, strategic thinker with strong follow-through.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances and events.
Enthusiasm forthe performingarts, education and/or history.
Experience
Minimum six years of experience infrontlinefundraising or related fields, preferably within a non-profit cultural organization.
Minimumtwo years of management experience.
Proventrack recordof securing major gifts and managing donor relationships.
Approximately $80,000– $90,000annually.
Ford’s offers a dynamic working environment steeped in culture and history along with a robust benefits package including highly subsidized health insurance, 401(k) contributions and generous paid leave policies.
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The Associate Director also supervises the Individual Giving & Membership Manager, ensuring alignment and cohesion across membership, mid-level giving and major gifts and expanding the pipeline of supporters across all individual giving tiers. This role is central to building a strong culture of philanthropy amongst individual donors at Ford’s Theatre.
The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible to work within stated Ford’s hybrid work guidelines which includes up to 2 days a week remote. Ford’s Theatre Society values and is committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce and working environment. Ford’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, neurodiversity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management
Manage a portfolio of prospects and donorswho are currentlygiving, or have the capacity togive,$5,000+ annually.
Develop and executethe creative and distinctivecultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to increase donor engagement and revenue.Partner with senior leadershiponhigh-level donor engagement opportunities.
Conduct regular donor meetingsandpersonalized outreach to deepen relationships and secure increased support.Prepare compelling proposals, reports and donor communications tailored to donor interests.
Bring a data-drivenapproachportfolio management,ensureaccuratedonor records,real-timereporting andclearmoves management tracking in Tessitura.
Program Oversight andCross-Departmental Collaboration
Partner with the Director of Development to design and implement long-term strategies for donor acquisition, retentionandupgradesacross individual giving.
Ensure strong stewardship practices,timelyacknowledgements and fulfillment of donor benefits in partnership with the Manager of Individual Giving and Membership.
Collaborate with the Associate Director of Special Eventsfordonor cultivation and stewardship events, including major donor receptions and special gatherings.
Collaboratewith theMarketing andCommunications team to develop donor-focused messaging, appeals and digital content.
Team Leadership andOrganizational Engagement
Createalignment between membership, mid-level giving and major gift strategies to create a cohesive donor journey.
SupervisetheIndividual Giving and Membership Manager, providing mentorshipandstrategic guidancewhile fostering acollaborative, high-performing culture.
Serve as a visible ambassador for Ford’s Theatre at performancesandevents.
Leadguided tours and personalized experiences for major donors and prospects.Participate inoccasionaltrainingsto stay current with Ford’s interpretations of historic events and their relevancy today.
Participate in strategic planning discussions and contribute to department-wide fundraising initiatives.
Other duties as assigned.
Q ualifications Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated success in frontline fundraising, including cultivating,soliciting and closing major giftsfrom individuals.
Experiencewithavariety of individual giving channels,inclusive ofdirect mailandmembership.
Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience developing staff.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of donors, staff, volunteers and senior leadership.Consummate team player.
Ability to manage multiple prioritieswhilemeetingdeadlinesandretainingstrong attention to detail.
Data-driven approach to fundraising, prospect management and portfolio management.Tessitura experience preferred;experience with the application of ethical and responsible AI in fundraising a plus.
Demonstrated understanding and application of best practices inprospect research tools and methodologies.High degree of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality.
Creative, strategic thinker with strong follow-through.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances and events.
Enthusiasm forthe performingarts, education and/or history.
Experience
Minimum six years of experience infrontlinefundraising or related fields, preferably within a non-profit cultural organization.
Minimumtwo years of management experience.
Proventrack recordof securing major gifts and managing donor relationships.
Approximately $80,000– $90,000annually.
Ford’s offers a dynamic working environment steeped in culture and history along with a robust benefits package including highly subsidized health insurance, 401(k) contributions and generous paid leave policies.
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