Description

DTS seeks one Director of Philanthropy.  Working in tandem with the Executive Director, this position will (1) serve as chief fundraiser for the organization and handle all fundraising efforts, (2) serve as the communications and marketing specialist supporting donor engagement and fundraising growth. This position also works closely with the Career and College Program Manager when planning local business visits and mock college application and job interviews.

The Director of Philanthropy is a professional, energetic, creative, and personable leader and team player who seeks out and engages new donors while maintaining and deepening relationships with existing donors. The Director is skilled in asking for financial support and successful in managing the varied ways DTS secures philanthropic revenue (individual donors, foundation grants, events, and corporate sponsorships). The Director initiates and is proactive in building and managing an annual development plan with revenue targets by stream (major gifts, annual giving, grants, sponsorships, events). The Director will also work closely with the Assistant Director to gather and translate program metrics/data points into compelling fundraising communications, proposals, and reports. 

Requirements

Fundraising Responsibilities

Donor Relations

• Steward, solicit, and grow donor relationships through in-person meetings, emails, phone calls, and handwritten notes.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects/donors and develop cultivation/solicitation/renewal strategies.
• Meet with new and current donors in person (target: ~8 donor meetings per month, as feasible).
• Maintain accurate donor records and contact information using a donor management database.
• Issue all donation acknowledgment (tax) letters and personalize where appropriate.
• Write thank-you notes and stewardship touches in a timely manner.

Annual Campaigns 

• Manage all elements of the year end campaign. Materials to be ready in early October and kick off to start with Giving Tuesday blasts followed by coordinated end of year blasts and personalized letters. Facilitate matching funds for Giving Tuesday and possibly end of year push.

Foundation Grants 

• Manage all aspects of institutional fundraising, including LOIs, applications, reporting, and relationship-building with program officers.
• Source and evaluate new grant opportunities aligned with DTS priorities and capacity.
• Partner with the Assistant Director/Program team to gather accurate program outcomes and statistics for proposals and reports.

Annual Fundraiser - School’s Out for Summer

• Serve as the internal lead for DTS’s annual fundraiser, School’s Out for Summer, including: sponsor outreach and fulfillment, donor/table cultivation, ticketing/guest management, run-of-show coordination, and post-event stewardship.
• Develop sponsorship strategy and outreach plan; manage sponsor pipeline and ensure all recognition deliverables are completed (signage, program/invitation acknowledgments, podium thanks, newsletter recognition, etc.).
• Coordinate with vendors and internal stakeholders to execute event logistics, timelines, and budgets.
• Execute post-event follow-up: thank-yous, pledge follow-up, new donor conversion, and retention plan. Prepare sponsor recap/impact summary and photo highlights post-event.

Board of Directors

• Work directly with the Board Chair to strategically engage board members to maximize giving and fundraising impact.
• Support board members with talking points, donor outreach strategy, and stewardship follow-up as needed.
• Maintain a monthly development dashboard (pipeline, asks, closes, retention, lapsed donors, grant win rate, event ROI) and present progress to ED and Board.

Marketing/Communication Responsibilities

• Manage DTS marketing and donor communications, including:
  
  • Quarterly e-newsletters / impact updates (planning, drafting, coordinating design, QA, and distribution).
  • Monthly “spotlight” emails (student/alumni/program spotlights) and timely updates between quarterly sends.
  • Campaign communications tied to key fundraising moments (event promotion, Giving Tuesday, year-end).
• Draft and update written materials including emails, website updates, pamphlets, one-sheets, sponsorship packages, donor letters, and other collateral.
• Continually refine messaging to emphasize program outcomes and impact; maintain consistent brand voice.
• Coordinate with a graphic designer and printer for any/all printed materials.
• Enhance and maintain social media presence (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram); create and post a minimum of 1 new post per week.
• Coordinate the drafting and production of the fiscal year and calendar year annual reports (content, outcomes, and donor-facing narrative).
• Coordinate with the College and Career Program Manager to plan local career visits twice a year.
• Coordinate with the College and Career Program Manager to acquire interviewers for mock jobs and mock college application interviews.

Additional Duties

• Attend weekly staff meeting at Hamilton High School.
• Attend special program functions/events.
• Assist when needed for special programming functions/events.
• Connect with DTS students and families.
• Willingness to serve as an advisor/career coach for up to five students.
• Assist other staff members as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Superb public speaking skills
• Superb written communication skills
• Superb time management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• College degree and relevant work experience
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail/Calendar)
• Comfortable using a CRM/database (Network for Good or similar) and maintaining accurate records
• Easy to get along with, flexible and willing to work as part of a team
• Full background check, including live scan and TB test 

To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample (donor letter, grant application, newsletter, appeal, sponsorship pitch, or other fundraising/communications sample) to Emmanuel Mendez at emendez@dtsla.org