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Senior Director of Development & Communications

Educare

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Washington, DC

Overview

Educare DC serves over 350 children from birth to five years old, along with their families, through its advanced center and community initiatives. Building on the foundations of Early Head Start and Head Start and accredited by NAEYC, Educare DC fosters school readiness by offering high-quality, comprehensive early learning programs for children who have historically been underserved due to systemic racism, helping to close the opportunity gap often faced by low-income communities. Educare DC is part of the 25-school Educare Learning Network, which serves as a platform for broader change by promoting high-quality programs in various communities, influencing public policies at both national and state levels, and demonstrating a comprehensive, research-informed approach to early childhood education.

Educare DC is seeking a Senior Director of Development and Communications who will oversee the strategy and execution of all fundraising efforts and external communications. Reporting directly to the President and CEO and supported by two staff members, a successful candidate will identify potential donors in the Washington DC area and motivate them to support Educare DC’s initiatives. Educare DC has a well-established fundraising operation with a strong foundation of grants, effective communications, and sound prospecting systems. Out of its $17 million budget, $2.2 million is currently funded through private donations, with the majority coming from foundations. This role will focus on expanding Educare DC’s major gifts program by soliciting contributions of $5,000 and above and serve a critical role in the growth and development of its Board of Directors.

Compensation Range

$125,000 - $135,000

To apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to Becca Ehrlich: becca@evolvegg.com

Download Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Qualifications & Skills

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to meet annual goals
  • Collaborate with the board and committees on charitable revenue and member recruitment efforts
  • Identify and engage private funders through donor stewardship plans tailored to their needs
  • Cultivate prospects and existing donors, leveraging school tours for engagement and inspiration
  • Manage foundation grants through relationship building, reporting, and demonstrating impact
  • Oversee outsourced vendors for grant writing, web maintenance, event management, and communications
  • Serve on the executive team, providing strategic input and supporting DEI initiatives and ethical storytelling
  • Guide the annual revenue budgeting process and coordinate with finance for accurate reporting
  • Lead fundraising operations including database management, data analysis, and grant reporting 
  • Direct external communications and marketing efforts to enhance brand visibility and support fundraising

Qualifications & Skills

  • 8+ years of experience in nonprofit development with a proven track record of fundraising and stakeholder communications
  • Bachelor’s degree required, Masters degree preferred
  • Experience building a major gifts program and in all aspects of the fundraising cycle of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
  • High-level strategic thinking and planning; ability to advise stakeholders 
  • Strong presence who can inspire, influence, and build credibility with donors, leadership, and staff
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills: ability to prepare and present well-developed materials
  • History of leadership across all aspects of fundraising including foundation relations, grant writing, donor communications, and events management
  • Advocate for diversity and inclusion, skilled in collaborating with diverse backgrounds
  • Knowledge of the greater Washington DC philanthropic community preferred
  • MS Office proficiency required; familiarity with Boomerang or other CRM software preferred

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