Director of Development

Position Overview

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW) seeks a dynamic and experienced Director of Development to lead all fundraising strategy and execution, ensuring Horizons Greater Washington achieves its revenue goals and builds strong, lasting donor relationships. This role ensures HGW has an annual plan, revenue targets, a portfolio of donors, and cultivation and stewardship strategies to sustain and scale its impact. This is a hands-on strategic role that oversees employees, systems, and partners. The Director of Development is a full time position and reports to the Executive Director.

Organizational Background

Horizons Greater Washington (HGW), an affiliate of Horizons National, advances educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning. HGW supports over 420 students in grades K-9 with year-round programming, developing the whole child through experiences that build problem-solving skills, foster awareness of community responsibility, and instill respect for self and others. By spanning from Kindergarten to ninth grade, the program nurtures long-term connections between diverse learners and dedicated staff who support them throughout the year. HGW program design and staff practices follow a Positive Youth Development approach, emphasizing engagement, interaction, support, and a safe environment as key components that meet the needs of youth. The five-week Summer Academy is Horizons’ core program, blending high-quality academics with an emphasis on literacy and STEAM with arts, fitness, cultural enrichment, field trips, and confidence-building challenges, including learning to swim.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Leadership

• Develop, articulate, and execute annual fundraising plan of $2-3 million
• Set revenue targets and track progress
• Utilize a metrics driven approach to evaluate outcomes
• Identify opportunities for growth across revenue streams
• Oversee the development and execution of all fundraising and grant proposals

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement

• Manage and grow a portfolio of 50+ major donors ($5K+)
• Manage and expand a mid-level donor program ($1K-$5K) to steward portfolio toward major gift opportunities
• Lead cultivation and stewardship strategies year round
• Identify, cultivate, and develop new funding and revenue opportunities
• Serve as a Salesforce/CRM power user for portfolio management and reporting; Ensure tracking and monitoring of all donor information, leveraging data to improve performance and efficiency; provide/present statistical analysis to board
• Support Executive Director and Board in fundraising efforts
• Own strategic relationships with host school leadership (heads of school, school development directors) and Horizons parent councils

Event & Gala Strategy

• Own gala fundraising strategy, revenue goals, and sponsor/top-table donor cultivation
• Own gala program narrative and storytelling, ensuring the ask and impact story align with broader donor strategy
• Partner with the Events Manager, who owns event logistics, vendor management, and day-of execution
• Chair or co-chair the gala committee's fundraising strategy and goals

Team Leadership

• Represent HGW in business meetings, tours, speaking engagements and other public activities.
• Supervise roles such as Development Manager, Events Manager, and Development Associate.
• Effective leadership skills including organization, prioritizing goals and actions, allocating resources and building systems for accountability that ensure performance and results.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Director of Finance & Operations on budget development
• Collaborate with Chief Program Officer (CPO) on program storytelling
• As a member of the organization’s leadership team, engage in broader organizational strategies and initiatives and work collaboratively
• Establish strong long lasting relationships with the Executive Director, leadership team, staff, board, volunteers, donors and the general community while adhering to the highest ethical standards and to demonstrate commitment to continued professional growth and development.