Director of Development

The Wilmington Children’s Chorus is dedicated to providing high-quality, tuition-free music education to children where they live and learn. Our mission is to empower young people to change their world through music, and our programs are guided by our values of Access, Excellence, and Diversity & Inclusion. Known throughout the region for its artistry and educational standards, WCC involves over 800 singers, ages six weeks to eighteen years old, in Performing Choirs, Neighborhood Choirs, the Early Learner’s Music Program, and many summer programs.

Job Description: WCC is seeking an experienced self-starter to serve as Director of Development. This position leads all fundraising strategy and efforts, driving the revenue that keeps WCC tuition-free and powers life-changing music education for more than 800 young people.

The ideal applicant will bring a passion for relationship-driven fundraising, have experience in individual giving and major gifts, and a strong belief in the power of music to change lives.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of three years of fundraising experience (five or more preferred), with a focus on individual giving and major gift acquisition.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and major gifts.
• Proven grant writing experience with foundation and government funders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with a record of meeting deadlines.
• Experience with donor CRM databases and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
• Professionalism, integrity, kindness, and strong relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) in fundraising and organizational practice.
• Preferred: familiarity with the Delaware philanthropic landscape, and an appreciation for choral music and youth arts education.
• Must have valid drivers license
• This position requires a criminal background check and child protection clearances.

Key Responsibilities

Development Strategy & Operations

• Develop and execute an annual development plan, with goals, budgets, forecasts, and metrics, to meet WCC's contributed revenue goals.
• Maintain the development calendar, case for support, and gift acceptance and donor recognition policies.
• Own the donor database/CRM: accurate records, monthly gift processing and reconciliation, data privacy, and regular fundraising reports for organization leadership.

Individual Giving & Major Gifts

• Manage the portfolio of donors and prospects through research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, partnering with the Artistic Director & CEO where relevant.
• Run the annual fund, including fall and spring appeals and giving days such as Giving Tuesday and DoMore24, with a focus on donor acquisition and retention.
• Build a planned giving program.

Grants & Partner Sites

• Lead foundation and government grants, including funder relationships, prospect research, proposals, budgets, reporting, and restricted-fund tracking, coordinating program outcomes with the Artistic Director & CEO.
• Partner with WCC's program sites and their development teams on collaborative grant applications, including Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) applications, funder visits, and check presentations.

Corporate & Community Partnerships

• Develop and solicit corporate and small business sponsorships, in-kind gifts, and matching-gift programs, and deliver sponsor benefits.
• Represent WCC professionally with corporate, civic, and public-sector stakeholders.

Events & Stewardship

• Plan and execute fundraising and donor cultivation events, including managing event committees and volunteers.
• Serve as the primary front-of-house staff member at major WCC concerts and events, ensuring a positive experience for attendees.
• Lead stewardship: timely, IRS-compliant gift acknowledgments, donor recognition, impact reports, and donor communications, in coordination with marketing.

Board, Compliance & Leadership

• Engage and support the Board in fundraising, and serve as a non-voting staff member of the Development/Resource Committee.
• Ensure compliance with IRS gift rules, charitable solicitation and gaming regulations, and the AFP Code of Ethics.
• Supervise any development staff, interns, or contractors, and stay current on fundraising best practices and the Delaware funding landscape.

Please send resume (including references), cover letter, and a writing sample to admin@wilmingtonchildrenschorus.org

Questions? Contact Lianna Magerr, Executive Director, at LMagerr@WilmingtonChildrensChorus.org or (484) 904-2590

WCC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Wilmington, DE 19801

Salary : $70,000 - $90,000