Development Director - Crafting the Future

About Us

Crafting the Future (CTF) works to increase access to creative enrichment by connecting Artists of Color with opportunities that will help them thrive. What began as a modest Kickstarter campaign to send two artists to a summer workshop in 2019 has transformed into a fully operational nonprofit providing opportunities to underrepresented artists year-round.

Our founders, artists themselves, recognized the lack of diversity in their field and took action by creating CTF and utilizing their communities to raise funds for the first cohort of scholarship recipients. We continue this mission today, working to create more inclusive and equitable spaces for underrepresented artists to develop lasting careers.

This includes:

• Providing full scholarships, which include tuition, room and board, travel, and stipends to artists to attend learning institutions.
• Offering financial support for artists to pursue opportunities that have been historically out of reach.
• Hosting engaging events such as "Better Together" to promote BIPOC artists and entrepreneurs through live collaborative artmaking, art sales, music, and food.
• Sponsoring artist residencies, including our in-house residency program.
  
  

The Opportunity

The Development Director will be responsible for leading the creation and execution of all fundraising, marketing, and development-related communications for Crafting the Future. This will be the first full-time and paid Development position with Crafting the Future, and will work closely with the co-founders and part-time team to create culture, infrastructure, and strategy for the organization.

CTF has been operating with part-time staff and volunteers and aspires to build a solid Development department from the ground up. The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Director and the Board to create a holistic fundraising strategy to identify and develop relationships with mission-aligned funders, cultivate donors, and expand all fundraising and grant-writing efforts.

Roles and Responsibilities

Development Strategy and Operations

• Create and implement a fundraising strategy to support the programs and general operating expenses for an organization with an annual budget of  $500,000- $750,000 with plans to increase capacity. 
• Determine development goals, set timelines, track, and report on progress.
• Identify, cultivate, expand, and renew grants, sponsorships, and other contributions from institutional partners.
• Research and identify prospects for all potential funding sources, including government, foundations, corporations, and individuals.
• Develop and institute a philosophy and strategy for donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Create and oversee systems for data management, including providing support and training for team members utilizing the related tools and systems (i.e. managing grant portal submissions).  
• Plan, organize, and supervise special fundraising events and campaigns, building on the crowd-funding and artist-led campaigns for which CTF has a history. 
• Generate, edit, approve, and distribute all proposals, correspondence, and appeal letters to funding sources.
• Ensure all compliance and reporting protocols are met and provide required reports and other information to stakeholders including funding partners. 
• Work with the Director to manage the receipt and deposit of checks and related correspondence. Ensure all contributions are accurately recorded, acknowledged, and stewarded in a timely manner.

Team Leadership and Administration

• Supervise, delegate to, collaborate with, mentor, and advise staff that work with development
• Identify the scope of work, delegate responsibilities, and provide guidance to CTF staff and volunteers
• Hire and manage any third-party consultants engaged in development projects
• Attend interdepartmental meetings of senior staff and conduct regular updates or meetings regarding development goals
• Maintain a development calendar to prioritize fundraising deadlines and communicate responsibilities and progress with staff.

Board Engagement

• Build strong relationships with the Board of Trustees and supporters
• Inspire and support the Board of Trustees to serve as active ambassadors and fundraisers for CTF
• Establish and lead the Development committee of the Board of Trustees
• Provide support for CTF's Nominating & Governance and Development Committees, including:
• Assist in running board committee meetings (drafting agendas and materials, providing action items);
• Compiling and presenting quarterly development reports for Board meetings; and attending full Board meetings.

Budget & Finance

• Consult with the Executive Director, Board President, and Finance Consultant on the annual budget and assist in the preparation of all project budgets
• Work with finance and accounting to monitor, update, and report on monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue projections.
• Present fundraising updates and projections to the Board of Trustees at quarterly meetings.

Qualifications

• Alignment with Crafting the Future’s mission of connecting BIPOC artists with opportunities that will help them thrive.
• A resident of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area preferred
• Minimum five years of experience in Development/Fundraising, including prior leadership experience in a non-profit organization; familiarity with arts and culture organizations preferred
• Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications/ Public Relations, or a related field
• Experience in successfully raising 6-figure or larger gifts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local, state, and national fundraising community and related opportunities
• Financial management skills including budgeting and grants management
• Experience with Microsoft Suite, Google Workspace, Asana, and CRM systems
• Superior writing, editing, and communication skills

Desired Competencies, Skills, and Abilities

• An appreciation for and connection to the arts
• The desire to work in a collaborative environment
• A personal and professional commitment to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• Initiative, resourcefulness, and a creative approach to problem-solving
• Well-organized with strong attention to detail
• Self-starter excited by the opportunity to work with a growing organization and build infrastructure from the ground up
  

Note to Potential Applicants:

We believe that a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more creative, and more resilient organization. Studies have shown that applicants who are disabled, women, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, or people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. Our selected candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. If you think you’d be a good fit, we strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications and competencies described.

Compensation and Work Environment

• Hybrid, remote-first work environment with at least one in-office day per week at our downtown LA studio space.
• Salary range: $70,000 - $90,000 per year, based on experience
• Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): Up to $600 per month for qualified medical expenses.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 20 days per year