Director of Development

Sacbar; Woodland (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Musicians at Play Foundation, Inc. in Los Angeles seeks a Director of Development to lead fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and revenue generation in support of its mission to expand access to music education and career pathways.

The role oversees a development team, manages grants and events, and partners with the Board and Executive Director to build a sustainable funding base in the LA arts community. Hybrid work and in-person engagements are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in professional fundraising, donor relations, and non-profit development.
• Strong written and oral communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Familiarity with the entertainment and arts & culture LA landscape, especially as it pertain to building our donor base.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy to meet financial goals, including donor cultivation and retention.
• Build and maintain relationships with major donors, corporations, and stakeholders.
• Provide leadership and collaboration to the development staff and work with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director on fundraising initiatives & strategy.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants and sponsorships.
• Oversee the planning of fundraising events and the creation of marketing materials for campaigns.
• Track donor data, manage the development budget, and report progress to the Executive Director and Board.
• Represent MAP at public events and other contexts as needed; collaborate with staff to advance MAP’s mission.
• Strengthen relationships with current donors and coordinate research to increase contributions and donor base.

Skills

Fundraising

Communication

Leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Musicians at Play Foundation, Inc.

Seeks full time, hybrid Director of Development

WHO WE ARE:

Musicians at Play Foundation is a Los Angeles–based nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to high-quality music education, mentorship, and career pathways for young musicians from underserved communities. Beginning in kindergarten and continuing through college, its instrumental music programs create a clear, guided journey that leads students into paid professional positions in the music industry. Through initiatives such as the RISE Film Scoring Orchestra, the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles, conducting academies, and pre-apprenticeship training, participants gain hands‑on experience alongside industry professionals in real‑world studio and performance settings while developing artistry, discipline, and career readiness.

Director of Development

We are seeking to grow our team with a new hire, Director of Development. The Director will lead Musicians at Play (MAP) fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and revenue generation to support its mission. The candidate will create comprehensive fundraising plans, develop and manage donor relationships, oversee special events, and lead a development team. This role requires expertise in donor cultivation, grant writing, and strategic planning.

This role is a hybrid one and requires familiarity with the Los Angeles area arts & culture sector as well as in-person presence at a variety of meetings and events.

The current development team consists of a Grant Writer, Finance Manager, Events/Sponsorship Coordinator, and Website, Database & Communications Manager. Development Director will report to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

Core Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy to meet financial goals, including donor cultivation and retention.
• Donor Management: Build and maintain relationships with major donors, corporations, and stakeholders.
• Development Team Leadership
• Provide leadership and collaboration to the development staff. Work in partnership with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director on fundraising initiatives & strategy.
• Revenue Diversification: Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants and sponsorships.
• Events and Communications: Oversee the planning of fundraising events and the creation of marketing materials for campaigns.
• Reporting and Compliance: Track donor data, manage the development budget, and report progress to the Executive Director and Board.
• Represent MAP at public events and in other contexts as needed. Be a willing partner with other staff in all aspects of MAP’s mission.
• Identify ways to diversify MAP’s funding base to increase unrestricted and restricted funds from all constituencies and launch appropriate programs and initiatives.
• Support a cohesive fundraising team through active communication and delegation
• Act as a catalyst for fund-raising and cultivation of donors and volunteers through major and planned giving, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, special events, membership and community relations in addition to prospect research and donor stewardship. Coordinate all fund development activities including but not limited to:
• Strengthen relationships with current donors and conduct major Donor Cultivation Work with staff and Board to increase contributions at the $5000 - $100,000 level. Increase the gifts of current donors and overall number of donors; coordinate prospect research.

Core Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy to meet financial goals, including donor cultivation and retention.
• Donor Management: Build and maintain relationships with major donors, corporations, and stakeholders.
• Development Team Leadership
• Provide leadership and collaboration to the development staff. Work in partnership with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director on fundraising initiatives & strategy.
• Revenue Diversification: Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants and sponsorships.
• Events and Communications: Oversee the planning of fundraising events and the creation of marketing materials for campaigns.
• Reporting and Compliance: Track donor data, manage the development budget, and report progress to the Executive Director and Board.
• Represent MAP at public events and in other contexts as needed. Be a willing partner with other staff in all aspects of MAP’s mission.
• Identify ways to diversify MAP’s funding base to increase unrestricted and restricted funds from all constituencies and launch appropriate programs and initiatives.
• Support a cohesive fundraising team through active communication and delegation
• Act as a catalyst for fund-raising and cultivation of donors and volunteers through major and planned giving, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, special events, membership and community relations in addition to prospect research and donor stewardship. Coordinate all fund development activities including but not limited to:
• Strengthen relationships with current donors and conduct major Donor Cultivation Work with staff and Board to increase contributions at the $5000 - $100,000 level. Increase the gifts of current donors and overall number of donors; coordinate prospect research.

Key Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in professional fundraising, donor relations, and non-profit development.
• Skills: Strong written/oral communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Attributes: Entrepreneurial spirit, passion for the organization's mission, and proficiency in areas described (above).
• Familiarity with the entertainment and arts & culture LA landscape, especially as it pertain to building our donor base.

To apply:

A complete candidate package includes:

Cover letter

Resume

3 references (2 professional, including a supervisor, client or equivalent; 1 personal)

Competitive salary and benefits.

Core Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute an annual fundraising strategy to meet financial goals, including donor cultivation and retention.
• Donor Management: Build and maintain relationships with major donors, corporations, and stakeholders.
• Development Team Leadership
• Provide leadership and collaboration to the development staff. Work in partnership with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director on fundraising initiatives & strategy.
• Revenue Diversification: Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants and sponsorships.
• Events and Communications: Oversee the planning of fundraising events and the creation of marketing materials for campaigns.
• Reporting and Compliance: Track donor data, manage the development budget, and report progress to the Executive Director and Board.
• Represent MAP at public events and in other contexts as needed. Be a willing partner with other staff in all aspects of MAP’s mission.
• Identify ways to diversify MAP’s funding base to increase unrestricted and restricted funds from all constituencies and launch appropriate programs and initiatives.
• Support a cohesive fundraising team through active communication and delegation
• Act as a catalyst for fund-raising and cultivation of donors and volunteers through major and planned giving, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, special events, membership and community relations in addition to prospect research and donor stewardship. Coordinate all fund development activities including but not limited to:
• Strengthen relationships with current donors and conduct major Donor Cultivation Work with staff and Board to increase contributions at the $5000 - $100,000 level. Increase the gifts of current donors and overall number of donors; coordinate prospect research.

Key Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in professional fundraising, donor relations, and non-profit development.
• Skills: Strong written/oral communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Attributes: Entrepreneurial spirit, passion for the organization's mission, and proficiency in areas described (above).
• Familiarity with the entertainment and arts & culture LA landscape, especially as it pertain to building our donor base.