Development Director

Development Director

Salary Range: $100,000 - $115,000
Location: Lynn, Massachusetts
Organization: Raw Art Works (RAW)

About Raw Art Works (RAW)
Founded in 1988, Raw Art Works (RAW) is a vibrant, community-centered arts organization that empowers young people through creative expression and therapeutic arts. Serving over 350 youth each year, RAW creates a supportive space where young people ages 8-19 can explore their artistic voices, navigate challenges, and build valuable life skills. The organization's diverse programs, spanning visual arts, digital filmmaking, leadership, and college/career preparation, all contribute to a mission rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring each youth feels valued and heard.

Role Overview
As a critical member of RAW's leadership team, the Development Director oversees the organization's comprehensive fundraising efforts, which currently bring in over $3 million annually. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Development Director leads the development team, manages revenue strategies, and strengthens RAW's donor relationships. This position calls for a professional skilled in nonprofit fundraising, strategic planning, and relationship-building, with the goal of expanding resources to support RAW's growth.

Key Responsibilities
The Development Director will design and implement a fundraising strategy that aligns with RAW's mission, encompassing major gifts, individual and corporate contributions, foundation grants, and government funding. As the leader of the development team, they will provide mentorship, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability to meet annual fundraising targets while exploring opportunities for growth. A major focus of the role involves cultivating relationships with donors and partners, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, to secure meaningful support for RAW's programs. The Development Director will oversee the preparation and submission of grant proposals, maintaining high standards in all communications with funders and ensuring that written and verbal communications with donors reflect RAW's mission and voice.

In collaboration with the Executive Director and senior leadership, the Development Director will align fundraising initiatives with RAW's long-term strategic vision. They will also advise the Board of Directors on donor engagement and trends, supporting the organization's broader philanthropic goals. Additionally, this role requires managing development operations, including budgeting, reporting, and CRM/database maintenance, to ensure efficient tracking of donations and donor relationships. All fundraising materials will reflect RAW's brand and mission, furthering the organization's visibility and impact.

Ideal Candidate Traits
The ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate proven expertise in nonprofit fundraising, with a background in successfully generating support across diverse revenue sources. A strategic thinker should be capable of developing both long-term and short-term fundraising plans and possess strong verbal and written communication skills to connect with a broad range of donors. A deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential, along with the ability to lead and inspire a collaborative, results-driven team. Finally, the ideal candidate will be mission-driven, motivated by RAW's work in youth empowerment and the transformative power of the arts.

Key Qualifications

• Experience: 5-7 years in nonprofit fundraising, ideally in a mid to large-sized organization.
• Skills: Proficiency in donor relations, grant writing, project management, and experience with CRM and fundraising software.
• Proven Success: A track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals, with strong analytical skills to guide data-driven strategies.
• Passion for Youth Empowerment: A deep commitment to RAW's mission of empowering young people through the arts and understanding the transformative power of creative expression.