Oakland, California, United States · Hybrid
$130k–$140k/yr
PEACEFUL. POWERFUL. CREATIVE. DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR REPORTS TO Executive Director STATUS Full-Time, Exempt • Hybrid SUPERVISES Mgr. of Institutional Giving; Development & Finance Manager ABOUT DESTINY ARTS CENTER Destiny …
Skills: Major-Gift Fundraising, Donor Stewardship, Strategic Thinking, Relationship Building, Leadership & Team Development
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The Development Director leads the strategic growth of philanthropic revenue, focusing on major gifts, individual giving, and donor stewardship. They manage the development team and partner with the Executive Director and Board to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
Requires a bachelor's degree and five to eight years of progressively responsible fundraising experience with a proven track record in securing major gifts. Proficiency in Salesforce and experience supervising fundraising staff are also required.
PEACEFUL. POWERFUL. CREATIVE.
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
REPORTS TO Executive Director | STATUS Full-Time, Exempt • Hybrid | SUPERVISES Mgr. of Institutional Giving; Development & Finance Manager |
ABOUT DESTINY ARTS CENTER
Destiny Arts Center inspires and ignites social change through the arts. For more than 38 years, Destiny has empowered young people to become peaceful, powerful, and creative through movement arts, performance, and leadership development. With a total annual budget of approximately $4 million, Destiny serves more than 6,000 young people each year. Through programs at our North Oakland center and across 55 school and community sites throughout the East Bay, Destiny creates safe, inclusive spaces where young people develop confidence, artistic excellence, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging.
At Destiny, we believe the arts are a powerful force for individual transformation and collective liberation. Rooted in violence prevention and conflict resolution, our work nurtures young people’s creativity while cultivating leadership, healing, and connection across communities. No child is ever turned away for lack of funds.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Development Director is a strategic fundraising leader responsible for growing Destiny’s philanthropic revenue, with a primary focus on contributed income, major gifts, individual giving, donor stewardship, and fundraising strategy. Reporting to the Executive Director and serving on the Leadership Team, the Development Director partners with staff, board members, donors, and community stakeholders to build relationships that inspire investment in Destiny’s mission.
The Development Director provides overall direction and day-to-day management of all fundraising activity while personally carrying a portfolio of major-donor prospects. An overarching objective of the first few years is to aggressively grow Destiny’s donor base and contributed revenue through major gifts, the annual fund, foundation grants, corporate philanthropy, legacy giving and the annual Gala.
This role provides strategic leadership for Destiny’s overall development strategy, which also includes government and earned income, builds a sustainable pipeline of supporters, increases unrestricted revenue, and advances a culture of philanthropy across the organization. The successful candidate will be a relationship-centered fundraiser with a demonstrated record of securing major gifts, developing donor communities, and building fundraising systems that support long-term sustainability.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Preferred
CORE COMPETENCIES
■ Relationship Building | ■ Major-Gift Fundraising |
■ Strategic Thinking | ■ Donor Stewardship |
■ Leadership & Team Development | ■ Board Engagement |
■ Communication & Storytelling | ■ Financial & Data Analysis |
■ Project Management | ■ Equity-Centered Leadership |
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Major Gifts & Individual Giving Leadership
Lead Destiny’s strategy to significantly grow individual philanthropy and unrestricted revenue.
Annual Giving & Donor Engagement
Develop and execute an annual giving program that increases unrestricted support.
Fundraising Strategy & Organizational Leadership
Serve as a strategic leader advancing Destiny’s long-term financial sustainability.
Board Partnership & Engagement
Strengthen the board’s role as fundraising ambassadors.
Institutional Giving Oversight
Provide strategic oversight and partnership for institutional fundraising.
Gala, Donor Events & Community Engagement
Create opportunities that strengthen donor relationships and convert attendees into year-round supporters.
Development Operations
Build systems that support effective fundraising.
STAFF LEADERSHIP
Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development to development staff (that includes Manager of Institutional Giving, Development & Finance Manager and Development & Finance Associate)
This job description reflects the general nature and level of work expected in this role and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. The Development Director will perform other duties as assigned to meet the evolving needs of the organization.
WHY JOIN DESTINY ARTS CENTER?
This is an opportunity to shape the future of one of the Bay Area’s most respected arts and youth-development organizations. As Development Director, you will build the philanthropic foundation that lets thousands of young people experience the transformative power of movement arts, belonging, and creative expression, in a place where no child is ever turned away for lack of funds.
If you are a strategic fundraiser, a relationship builder, and a passionate advocate for young people and the arts, we encourage you to apply.
TO APPLY
Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your fundraising philosophy and a major gift you are proud to have secured. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Compensation
The salary range for this position is $135,000–$145,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Destiny also offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Work Schedule
This is a full-time position based at Destiny Arts Center headquarters, 970 Grace Avenue, Oakland, California 94608. A hybrid work schedule is available, subject to supervisor approval, with regular on-site presence required to support donor engagement, events, and team collaboration. Some evening and weekend availability is expected for fundraising events, performances, and donor activities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Destiny Arts Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and to a workplace free from discrimination. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
Destiny Arts Center exists to inspire and ignite social change through the arts.
Destiny Arts Center is an after-school dance, theater, and martial arts program for youth ages 3 to 18, located in Oakland, CA and in dozens of school sites throughout the East Bay. Established in 1988 Destiny Arts Center is an innovative program teaching violence prevention, conflict resolution and youth leadership using the arts as a vehicle for individual, community level and social change. Our classes are led by professional instructors, utilizing our proven violence prevention curriculum to teach youth alternatives to aggression, gain self-confidence, esteem and discipline while learning life-long skills. Our state of the art facility hosts our youth and adult classes, workshops, events and is a great venue for private and community events at affordable rates. As an arts and cultural hub, we are committed to providing accessible, affordable arts and creative space to our large community and beyond.
Offices: 970 Grace Ave, Oakland, CA 94608, US
Destiny Arts Center exists to inspire and ignite social change through the arts.
Destiny Arts Center is an after-school dance, theater, and martial arts program for youth ages 3 to 18, located in Oakland, CA and in dozens of school sites throughout the East Bay. Established in 1988 Destiny Arts Center is an innovative program teaching violence prevention, conflict resolution and youth leadership using the arts as a vehicle for individual, community level and social change. Our classes are led by professional instructors, utilizing our proven violence prevention curriculum to teach youth alternatives to aggression, gain self-confidence, esteem and discipline while learning life-long skills. Our state of the art facility hosts our youth and adult classes, workshops, events and is a great venue for private and community events at affordable rates. As an arts and cultural hub, we are committed to providing accessible, affordable arts and creative space to our large community and beyond.
Offices: 970 Grace Ave, Oakland, CA 94608, US
