STEM From Dance - Chief Development Officer

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION 

For over a decade, STEM From Dance (SFD) has been committed to empowering girls of color with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue careers in STEM — all through the power of dance. Our mission is rooted in addressing the systemic underrepresentation of women of color in STEM fields. Through our innovative programs and steadfast community support, girls cultivate their creativity, fortify their confidence, and leverage technology to pioneer bold innovations.

Our vision is ambitious: to impact the lives of one million girls, guiding them towards thriving careers in STEM. Already on the path to national and global recognition, SFD is at the forefront of integrating dance with STEM education, driving the charge toward greater representation of women of color in STEM. We envision a future where the STEM landscape is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where women of color not only participate but lead and innovate.

Built on a foundation of a bold mission, a strategic growth plan, and unwavering core values, STEM From Dance is poised to change the face of STEM. As we embark on this journey, we are seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as our Chief Development Officer. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

As the Chief Development Officer at STEM From Dance, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization's fundraising strategy and securing financial resources to support our mission. In this dynamic leadership position, you will lead all aspects of fundraising, including donor cultivation, grant writing, corporate partnerships, and special events. Your strategic vision and expertise will drive the expansion of our donor base, ensuring sustainable growth and impact. With ambitious goals to triple our revenue over the next few years, your leadership will be instrumental in achieving these targets and advancing our mission.

Additionally, you will drive our communications strategy, ensuring that our mission, impact, and successes are effectively communicated to diverse audiences through various channels. With a focus on expanding our reach and resources, you will spearhead initiatives to increase awareness, engagement, and support for STEM From Dance's programs and initiatives. As a key member of our leadership team, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of girls of color in STEM, driving growth, sustainability, and innovation through strategic development and communications efforts.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Key responsibilities will include:

• Strategy, Planning, and Systems (20%)

• Develop, oversee, and implement organizational fund development strategy and planning
• Build organizational capacity for fundraising and development.
• Identify tactics and strategies to effectively engage and convert prospects to donors.
• Set and achieve ambitious annual and multi-year targets for support from foundations, individuals, and corporations; lead the development of new proposals for unrestricted and project-based support, with a focus on advancing equity.
• Lead efforts to identify, evaluate, and cultivate high-potential prospective supporters; be proactive in matching funder priorities to strategic initiatives.
• Assist in the planning, organization, direction, and evaluation of all fundraising activities to meet short and long-range fundraising goals and objectives.
• Ensure strong departmental systems and processes to support quality donor management, stewardship and best-in-class fundraising. 
• Refine and innovate on SFD’s approach to stewarding and managing resources with attention to long-term sustainability.
• Serving as a senior leader in the organization, you will provide leadership, thought partnership, and support to ensure the success of STEM From Dance.  

• Fundraising and Donor Relations (60%)

• Lead and develop a fund development strategy to yield an annual increase that supports a $10M annual need in 5-8 years.
• Serve as lead fundraiser for a portfolio of 100-150 priority donors and prospects yielding a $1M+ personal portfolio of major gift donors 
• Coordinate and support all aspects of the CEO’s $2M+ portfolio of individuals, board members, foundations, and corporations.
• Identify, develop, and start a community of donors and prospects through relationship-building and deep engagement to raise transformational funds
• Provide guidance to and support the board’s development efforts.
• Maintain strong, positive relationships with all donors and prospects to enhance support for, and understanding of, the organization’s development initiatives. 
• Lead regular analysis of fundraising efforts to inform strategy, and coordinate data reporting on fundraising efforts.

• Brand Management and External Messaging (20%)

• Oversee brand positioning and messaging and ensure consistency across all marketing channels.
• Lead effective and cohesive external messaging in collaboration with the CEO and the Development and Communications team. 
• Shape compelling campaigns, proposals, and pitches for philanthropic support.
• Oversee and develop strategies for thought leadership initiatives, including identifying opportunities for speaking engagements, publications, and other platforms to position STEM From Dance as a leader in the intersection of STEM education, dance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Leverage knowledge of important development trends in the relevant regional and national fundraising landscapes to inform development and communications strategy.

Requirements

WHO YOU ARE: 

To fulfill these responsibilities, you are the following:

• You have a proven track record of scaling organizations to multi-million dollars in revenue; you have doubled or tripled revenue with confidence.
• You have deep expertise in securing major gifts and corporate fundraising streams.
• You close deals with strong outcomes and have experience meeting fundraising goals year after year.
• You are efficient, with strong analytical experience using CRM tools and other data to analyze progress and achieve results.
• You are a master storyteller with a knack for influencing others toward outcomes through sophisticated relationship management and building impactful messaging about an organization’s outcomes and brand.
• You are a senior leader and thought partner with past success working with a diverse set of senior leaders to guide organizational strategy.

• You have a growth mindset, delivering measurable outcomes through creativity and data-driven decision-making.
• Your strategic acumen is unparalleled, capable of charting a course that not only meets immediate needs but also paves the way for long-term sustainability and growth.
• You embody STEM From Dance’s work philosophy.
• Bachelor’s degree required (related advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum of 7-12 years of relevant professional experience in fundraising, external affairs, brand management, sales or marketing, preferably in a nonprofit or education setting.

Benefits

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

SALARY: This position offers a competitive salary of $130,000-150,000.

BENEFITS: STEM From Dance offers a competitive total compensation package inclusive of benefits such as health insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, generous paid time off, flexible schedules, and extensive learning opportunities. More details can be provided upon request.

TRAVEL: There will be an expectation of 20% travel, including travel to New York City, partner sites, and other key events. 

LOCATION: This position can be remote, with a preference for candidates located on the East Coast, particularly in the New York City area. Monthly in-person meetings at our New York City office are expected.