Director of Development

Pay Type:

Salary

Job Status:

Full Time

Minimum Salary/Hourly Rate:

$75,000.00

Maximum Salary/Hourly Rate:

$90,000.00

Rock to the Future

Job Title: Director of Development
Reports To: CEO
Location: Philadelphia, PA (Hybrid work environment available)
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range: $75,000 - 90,000 (salary offered is based upon experience, qualifications, skills, and industry background)

About Rock to the Future

Rock to the Future fosters thriving youth and economic empowerment through free, student-driven music programs for Philadelphia youth in under-resourced areas. Our work helps young people unlock their creative potential, strengthen academic and life skills, and build pathways to a bright future—all through the power of music. With an annual budget of $2 million and growing, Rock to the Future is seeking a passionate, strategic, and results-oriented Director of Development to lead our fundraising efforts and help us scale our impact across Philadelphia.

This is an inaugural Director of Development position as we embark on our 5-year strategic plan. We aim to expand Rock to the Future’s reach from 1,200 to 2,300+ youth annually while deepening the quality of our MusiCore, MusiCommunity, and MobileMusic programs. The plan prioritizes doubling MusiCore enrollment, expanding services for justice-involved youth, strengthening college and career pathways, and investing in staff, systems, and infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability and measurable impact on graduation, postsecondary success, and youth well-being. To achieve our goals, we will grow our $2 million budget to more than $3 million by 2029–30, driven by major increases in fee-for-service program revenue, individual giving, and institutional support.

Position Overview

The Director of Development reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is a key leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing all fundraising and communications strategies to support Rock to the Future’s revenue growth. This includes individual giving, foundation and corporate grants, government grants and contracts, community giving, special events, sponsorships, fee-for-service programming, and donor stewardship. Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, the Director of Development will play a vital role in growing the organization’s revenue and ensuring long-term sustainability. This is a hybrid position with remote administrative responsibilities along with in-person events and meetings, which may occasionally be in the evenings or weekends. The Director of Development will manage 2 full-time development professionals, with plans for the development team to expand in coming years.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Execution

Develop and lead a comprehensive development plan to raise and exceed the organization’s $2M annual budget
Oversee and support development team members who lead individual (major gifts, event, peer-to-peer, and other giving), institutional (foundation, corporate, government), and fee-for-service revenue streams
Lead development of infrastructure for growing team, including database Bloomerang, development or revision of planning and reporting templates, and policies, processes, and procedures

Fundraising and Stewardship

Oversee and support institutional and individual giving, including prospect research, relationship cultivation, proposal development, grant writing, submission, and reporting for foundations, corporations, and government funders, with a focus on major and multi-year giving
Collaborate with programs and finance teams to align proposals with organizational goals and track/report outcomes effectively
Represent Rock to the Future in meetings and communications with current and prospective institutional and individual funders, deepening engagement and partnership opportunities
Collaborate with staff and Board members to engage prospects and funders through meetings, events, and personalized communication
Regularly report fundraising progress to the CEO and Board of Directors
Knowledgeable of fundraising trends and the shifting fundraising landscape

Marketing & Communications

Oversee external communications in partnership with marketing staff, including newsletters, annual reports, appeals, social media, and website content
Ensure consistent messaging and storytelling aligned with Rock to the Future’s brand and mission to inspire and engage supporters and demonstrate impact

Leadership & Collaboration

Supervise and coach the development team (currently 2 full-time team members)
Determine development contractors and resource needs to grow funding
Work cross-functionally with program, finance, and operations teams to align funding needs and program growth
Work collaboratively with marketing and communications team members to achieve development goals
Support the Board Development Committee and engage Board members in fundraising efforts

Required Qualifications

Passion for our mission and vision

5+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with a track record of securing 5- and 6-figure gifts across multiple revenue streams (individual, foundation, corporate, and/or government)
3+ years of team management and leadership experience
Demonstrated success developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that meets or exceeds revenue goals
Experience managing or contributing to organizational budgets of $1 million, with an understanding of revenue forecasting and growth planning
Strong knowledge of the Philadelphia philanthropic landscape and regional funding environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including grant writing and donor communications
Experience using CRM systems and fundraising data to drive strategy and decision-making
Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growing organization
Commitment to youth development, arts education, and social equity

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading fundraising during a period of organizational growth or scale
Experience with fee-for-service or earned revenue models in a nonprofit setting
Familiarity with government grants and contracts, particularly in Philadelphia or Pennsylvania
Experience partnering with or managing a Board of Directors in fundraising efforts
Background in marketing and communications strategy, including donor engagement campaigns
Experience building or strengthening development systems, infrastructure, and processes

To Apply

Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in the role, two writing samples (e.g., donor appeal, grant excerpt), and 3 references to Jobs@RocktotheFuture.org. Applications will be accepted until May 27, 2026. Interviews are expected to be held in June with a start date in July 2026. Timelines may be flexible for the right candidates.

Rock to the Future is an inclusive workplace, committed to having a staff and board of directors whose diverse backgrounds reflect the communities we serve in Philadelphia. Candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you’re excited about a role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.