Development Consultant
Wonder Productions Inc, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Contract Duration:
April 27-Sept 1, 2026 (with potential for extension based on performance) Time Commitment:
Approximately 15 hours per week Overview The Development Consultant will lead fundraising and strategic partnership efforts to support the launch of the Wonderlust Storytelling Institute pilot. The Wonderlust Storytelling Institute is a creative incubator dedicated to equipping emerging cross-cultural storytellers to transform their lived experiences abroad into compelling, human-centered narratives. Our mission is to bridge cultural and political divides by fostering empathy, understanding, and connection through storytelling, especially at a time of increasing polarization, algorithm-driven media, and social fragmentation. We focus on developing stories from individuals who have spent significant time living outside their home countries, including immigrants, international development professionals, third culture kids, diplomats, military families, athletes, and others whose lives span multiple cultures. These storytellers bring unique perspectives and a demonstrated ability to navigate difference and find common ground—making their voices especially powerful in addressing today’s divisions. Through a structured, cohort-based program, we provide a welcoming, accessible space with expert mentorship, hands-on training, and collaborative support. Core activities include story development workshops, cross-cultural storytelling seminars, and writing and media labs, alongside peer feedback, storytelling challenges, and cultural immersion experiences. Each participant develops a professional-quality creative concept, such as a script or multimedia project, designed not only for artistic excellence, but for real-world reach and impact. We prioritize preparing stories to engage diverse audiences across cultural, social, and political lines. The program culminates in a showcase that connects participants with industry professionals and creates pathways for their work to be widely seen and produced. This role will be critical in securing the financial resources and strategic partnerships necessary to successfully launch and sustain the pilot program in Fall 2026. Key Responsibilties: Fundraising Strategy & Campaign Development Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the pilot program Design and launch targeted fundraising campaigns (individual giving, major gifts, and institutional funding) Collaborate with leadership to align fundraising goals with programmatic priorities Grant Writing & Institutional Funding Identify and cultivate opportunities with foundations, family offices, and grant-making institutions Lead the development and submission of compelling grant proposals, LOIs, and reports Build and manage a pipeline of funding opportunities, including tracking deadlines and deliverables Support stewardship and reporting for awarded grants Donor Engagement & Relationship Management Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals and major donors Support the development of donor materials, including pitch decks, impact reports, and communications Partner with leadership to prepare for donor meetings and presentations Develop strategies for long-term donor engagement and retention Fundraising Infrastructure & Systems Support the development of fundraising systems, tools, and processes (CRM, tracking, reporting) Establish clear metrics and reporting mechanisms to track fundraising progress and impact Preferred Qualifications Proven experience in nonprofit fundraising and business development Strong track record in grant writing and securing funding from foundations and family offices Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and major donor cultivation Demonstrated ability to design and execute successful fundraising campaigns Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for proposals and donor-facing materials Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple funding streams and deadlines Bonus: Experience working with organizations focused on social justice, social impact, and/or the arts Familiarity with storytelling, media, or creative sector funding landscapes Existing network within philanthropic, foundation, or arts funding communities Deliverables Comprehensive fundraising strategy and workplan Pipeline of grant and funding opportunities Completed grant proposals and submissions Donor outreach strategy and engagement materials Regular progress reports on fundraising activities and outcomes
April 27-Sept 1, 2026 (with potential for extension based on performance) Time Commitment:
Approximately 15 hours per week Overview The Development Consultant will lead fundraising and strategic partnership efforts to support the launch of the Wonderlust Storytelling Institute pilot. The Wonderlust Storytelling Institute is a creative incubator dedicated to equipping emerging cross-cultural storytellers to transform their lived experiences abroad into compelling, human-centered narratives. Our mission is to bridge cultural and political divides by fostering empathy, understanding, and connection through storytelling, especially at a time of increasing polarization, algorithm-driven media, and social fragmentation. We focus on developing stories from individuals who have spent significant time living outside their home countries, including immigrants, international development professionals, third culture kids, diplomats, military families, athletes, and others whose lives span multiple cultures. These storytellers bring unique perspectives and a demonstrated ability to navigate difference and find common ground—making their voices especially powerful in addressing today’s divisions. Through a structured, cohort-based program, we provide a welcoming, accessible space with expert mentorship, hands-on training, and collaborative support. Core activities include story development workshops, cross-cultural storytelling seminars, and writing and media labs, alongside peer feedback, storytelling challenges, and cultural immersion experiences. Each participant develops a professional-quality creative concept, such as a script or multimedia project, designed not only for artistic excellence, but for real-world reach and impact. We prioritize preparing stories to engage diverse audiences across cultural, social, and political lines. The program culminates in a showcase that connects participants with industry professionals and creates pathways for their work to be widely seen and produced. This role will be critical in securing the financial resources and strategic partnerships necessary to successfully launch and sustain the pilot program in Fall 2026. Key Responsibilties: Fundraising Strategy & Campaign Development Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the pilot program Design and launch targeted fundraising campaigns (individual giving, major gifts, and institutional funding) Collaborate with leadership to align fundraising goals with programmatic priorities Grant Writing & Institutional Funding Identify and cultivate opportunities with foundations, family offices, and grant-making institutions Lead the development and submission of compelling grant proposals, LOIs, and reports Build and manage a pipeline of funding opportunities, including tracking deadlines and deliverables Support stewardship and reporting for awarded grants Donor Engagement & Relationship Management Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with high-net-worth individuals and major donors Support the development of donor materials, including pitch decks, impact reports, and communications Partner with leadership to prepare for donor meetings and presentations Develop strategies for long-term donor engagement and retention Fundraising Infrastructure & Systems Support the development of fundraising systems, tools, and processes (CRM, tracking, reporting) Establish clear metrics and reporting mechanisms to track fundraising progress and impact Preferred Qualifications Proven experience in nonprofit fundraising and business development Strong track record in grant writing and securing funding from foundations and family offices Experience working with high-net-worth individuals and major donor cultivation Demonstrated ability to design and execute successful fundraising campaigns Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially for proposals and donor-facing materials Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple funding streams and deadlines Bonus: Experience working with organizations focused on social justice, social impact, and/or the arts Familiarity with storytelling, media, or creative sector funding landscapes Existing network within philanthropic, foundation, or arts funding communities Deliverables Comprehensive fundraising strategy and workplan Pipeline of grant and funding opportunities Completed grant proposals and submissions Donor outreach strategy and engagement materials Regular progress reports on fundraising activities and outcomes