Development Manager

Washington, DC
Full Time
Experienced
 

Supervisor: Director of Philanthropy and Communications 

Department/Division: Development and Communications 

Direct Reports:

Salary Range$57,000 - $62,000

Last Revised: March 2026 

ABOUT NEW FUTURES: 

New Futures is a dynamic local nonprofit with a unique approach to fighting inequity: We believe fiercely that shorter-term credentials – associate degrees or professional certifications – are an effective launch point toward rewarding, fulfilling careers. New Futures invests in our scholars with a deliberate combination of scholarships, academic and career advising, access to transformative professional networks, and a lot of heart as they jumpstart careers they love in high-growth fields that will lead to financial security and more equitable futures for all. 

Since our founding in 1999, we have worked with over 861 scholars and awarded over $7.8 million in post-secondary scholarships. Our impact is clear: 86% of Scholars persist or complete their programs and 54% graduate with no educational debt. Scholars primarily pursue careers in Information Technology, Health Sciences, Business, Education, Public Service, Construction & Trades, and Hospitality & Culinary Arts. As we look to the future, we are scaling our efforts to strengthen our Scholar community, deepen alumni engagement, and enhance partnerships that drive systemic change. 

THE POSITION: 

New Futures is fueled by contributed revenue and is steadily expanding in scope and impact. The Development Manager reports to the Director of Philanthropy and Communications and plays a strategic and operational leadership role in executing the organization’s fundraising strategy. This includes driving individual donor cultivation and stewardship, managing foundation and funding pipelines, leading the Associate Board, leading one (1) in-person fundraising event), and supporting the execution of additional fundraising campaigns (i.e. end-of-year.) 

 

The Development Manager leads core revenue initiatives, including foundation and grant strategy development and execution and low and mid-level individual giving portfolio. They serve as the staff lead for the Associate Board and oversee the planning and execution of Taste of New Futures, one of our signature in-person fundraising events. 

This position is ideal for someone with strong communication and relationship-building skills, strong project/portfolio management skills ,an equity-centered fundraising lens, and a commitment to strategic growth and community-driven impact. 

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

GRANTS STRATEGY AND MANAGEMENT: 50% 

  • Serve as the organizational lead for all foundation and institutional grants, managing the full grants portfolio from prospecting through submission and reporting. 
  • Shape grants strategy, assess alignment with organizational priorities, determine which opportunities to pursue, and inform the Director of Philanthropy & Communications and the CEO with recommendations and/or updates, if required. 
  • Partner with the Director of Scholar Programs and grant writing consultant to develop compelling, accurate proposals and required follow-up reports and ensure timely submission. 
  • Manage the outsourced grant writing consultant, setting timelines, providing content inputs, and ensuring deliverables meet quality standards. 
  • Maintain a detailed grants calendar and lead on reporting requirements—including narrative development and data collection—in collaboration with the program team. 
  • Represent New Futures, as needed, in grant submissions and partner meetings related to the Talent for Tomorrow Alliance (TFT), a collaborative of five education-focused nonprofits. 

INDIVIDUAL GIVING AND DONOR CULTIVATION: 30% 

  • Design and implement strategies to sustain and grow the monthly donor program (Thrive Network), including storytelling, segmentation, and stewardship. 
  • Cultivate a portfolio of low to mid-level donors (below major gift level) through personalized outreach and relationship-building. 
  • Develop and manage stewardship and reactivation plans for low to mid-level donors in collaboration with the Director. 
  • Collaborate on fundraising communications, including e-appeals, donor surveys, acknowledgments, and special campaigns. 
  • Analyze trends in the donor database to forecast ROI, evaluate campaign performance, and inform future fundraising strategy. 
  • Strategize the enhancement of Thrive Talks, an engagement series for the Thrive Network and broader donor community, including content planning, logistics, and post-event follow-up.

ASSOCIATE BOARD ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS: 15% 

  • Serve as the staff lead for the Associate Board, facilitating meetings, supporting fundraising goals, and advancing the Associate Board’s visibility and leadership within New Futures. 
  • Develop and implement a year-round engagement strategy for Associate Board members, including onboarding, fundraising planning, volunteer coordination, and connection to New Futures’ mission and priorities. 
  • Lead planning and execution of Taste of New Futures, including donor outreach, corporate sponsorship requests, vendor coordination, communications, and post-event follow-up. 
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure the event reflects organizational values, showcases Scholar and alumni stories, and contributes to revenue and visibility goals. 
  • Coordinate Associate Board volunteer engagement with the Scholars Program, identifying meaningful opportunities for interaction and aligning activities with Scholar needs and experiences. 

OTHER DUTIES, AS ASSIGNED: 5% 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

 
  • Demonstrated success growing individual giving programs, particularly low- and mid-level donor portfolios, including donor reactivation and pipeline development.
  • Experience designing and executing segmented donor strategies, especially for donors under $1,000, with a focus on retention, upgrade, and recurring giving.
  • Strong track record of managing foundation pipelines and contributing to multi-year revenue forecasting, including balancing renewals and new prospect development.
  • Experience managing external consultants or vendors (e.g., grant writers, marketing partners), including setting deliverables, timelines, and quality standards.
  • Proven ability to translate data into strategy, including analyzing donor trends, campaign performance, and ROI to inform fundraising decisions.
  • Experience working in or alongside a board-driven fundraising environment, including supporting associate boards or fundraising committees.
  • Experience leading or significantly contributing to signature fundraising events, including sponsorship strategy, donor engagement, and post-event stewardship.
  • Familiarity with moves management strategies and donor lifecycle planning across multiple giving levels.
  • Experience working in a growing nonprofit or scaling development function, with comfort building systems and processes that support expansion.
  • Exposure to or experience with collective impact initiatives or cross-organizational collaborations (e.g., partnerships similar to Talent for Tomorrow Alliance).
  • Strong organizational and systems-thinking mindset, with the ability to build and maintain efficient workflows across grants, donors, and events.
  • Experience supporting or advancing equity-centered fundraising practices, particularly in engaging diverse donor communities and aligning fundraising with mission and impact.
  • Project management experience, with the ability to manage timelines, coordinate team efforts, and maintain organized systems that drive department goals. 
  • Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and partners. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

  • Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or related fields. 
  • Candidates must reside in the Washington, DC metropolitan area at the time of hire and maintain residency throughout their tenure. 
  • Passion for the mission and a deep belief in the potential of the people we serve. 
  • Commitment to fostering an equitable and transparent culture within both the Development & Communications team and the broader organization. 
  • Demonstrated commitment to community-centric fundraising and values-aligned donor engagement. 
  • Proficiency with Salesforce or other donor databases, including integrated platforms (e.g., email marketing, online payments, donor research, and event tools). 
  • Experience with Microsoft and Google suites and other applications needed to manage collaborative work flows 
  • Self-starter with a proactive, results-driven mindset; able to work independently while collaborating creatively with others. 
  • Background in education, youth development, or equity-focused organizations.
 

What Else You Should Know 

The position is full-time and is based in Washington, DC. We are currently operating in a hybrid model (remote and in-person). Our hybrid model is subject to change. 

The starting salary range for this position is $57,000 - $62,000, with the exact wage depending on experience. We anticipate the hire date for this role will be  June 29, 2026.

We offer excellent benefits, including but not limited to generous time off, a wellness package, a professional development budget, reimbursement options, and employer-paid medical premiums covering 80%–90% of employees' costs. 

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to racial and gender equity. We make a particular effort to recruit candidates who identify as Black, Latinx, Indigenous, people of color, and gender non-binary to apply for open positions. 

Have a passion for our mission but don’t check all the boxes? We still want to hear from you! Too often, excellent candidates elect not to apply for roles if they don’t meet all the requirements listed in a job description–this is especially true for women and candidates of color. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position! New Futures believes in helping its staff grow; in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

To Apply:
We also strive to ensure the hiring process, including the submission of the application meets your needs. Please submit a resume and cover letter to apply. If there is an accommodation needed during the application or hiring process, please email [email protected].
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