Development Director Jobs in Delaware
Development Director jobs in Delaware are in steady demand, concentrated in nonprofit management, higher education, and healthcare fundraising, with openings at the senior leadership level across Wilmington, Newark, and Dover. Established employers with lasting development director roles in the state include ChristianaCare, the University of Delaware, and the Delaware Community Foundation. The most sought-after specialties in Delaware are major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and planned giving. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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The Wilmington Children’s Chorus is dedicated to providing high-quality, tuition-free music education to children where they live and learn. Our mission is to empower young people to change their world through music, and our programs are guided by our values of Access, Excellence, and Diversity & Inclusion. Known throughout the region for its artistry and educational standards, WCC involves over 800 singers, ages six weeks to eighteen years old, in Performing Choirs, Neighborhood Choirs, the Early Learner’s Music Program, and many summer programs.
Job Description: WCC is seeking an experienced self-starter to serve as Director of Development. This position leads all fundraising strategy and efforts, driving the revenue that keeps WCC tuition-free and powers life-changing music education for more than 800 young people.
The ideal applicant will bring a passion for relationship-driven fundraising, have experience in individual giving and major gifts, and a strong belief in the power of music to change lives.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of three years of fundraising experience (five or more preferred), with a focus on individual giving and major gift acquisition.
- Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and major gifts.
- Proven grant writing experience with foundation and government funders.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills, with a record of meeting deadlines.
- Experience with donor CRM databases and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
- Professionalism, integrity, kindness, and strong relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) in fundraising and organizational practice.
- Preferred: familiarity with the Delaware philanthropic landscape, and an appreciation for choral music and youth arts education.
- Must have valid drivers license
- This position requires a criminal background check and child protection clearances.
Key Responsibilities
Development Strategy & Operations
- Develop and execute an annual development plan, with goals, budgets, forecasts, and metrics, to meet WCC's contributed revenue goals.
- Maintain the development calendar, case for support, and gift acceptance and donor recognition policies.
- Own the donor database/CRM: accurate records, monthly gift processing and reconciliation, data privacy, and regular fundraising reports for organization leadership.
Individual Giving & Major Gifts
- Manage the portfolio of donors and prospects through research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, partnering with the Artistic Director & CEO where relevant.
- Run the annual fund, including fall and spring appeals and giving days such as Giving Tuesday and DoMore24, with a focus on donor acquisition and retention.
- Build a planned giving program.
Grants & Partner Sites
- Lead foundation and government grants, including funder relationships, prospect research, proposals, budgets, reporting, and restricted-fund tracking, coordinating program outcomes with the Artistic Director & CEO.
- Partner with WCC's program sites and their development teams on collaborative grant applications, including Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) applications, funder visits, and check presentations.
Corporate & Community Partnerships
- Develop and solicit corporate and small business sponsorships, in-kind gifts, and matching-gift programs, and deliver sponsor benefits.
- Represent WCC professionally with corporate, civic, and public-sector stakeholders.
Events & Stewardship
- Plan and execute fundraising and donor cultivation events, including managing event committees and volunteers.
- Serve as the primary front-of-house staff member at major WCC concerts and events, ensuring a positive experience for attendees.
- Lead stewardship: timely, IRS-compliant gift acknowledgments, donor recognition, impact reports, and donor communications, in coordination with marketing.
Board, Compliance & Leadership
- Engage and support the Board in fundraising, and serve as a non-voting staff member of the Development/Resource Committee.
- Ensure compliance with IRS gift rules, charitable solicitation and gaming regulations, and the AFP Code of Ethics.
- Supervise any development staff, interns, or contractors, and stay current on fundraising best practices and the Delaware funding landscape.
Please send resume (including references), cover letter, and a writing sample to admin@wilmingtonchildrenschorus.org
Questions? Contact Lianna Magerr, Executive Director, at LMagerr@WilmingtonChildrensChorus.org or (484) 904-2590
WCC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Wilmington, DE 19801
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Find Development Director JobsDevelopment Director Jobs by City in Delaware
Where Delaware roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Director Job Market in Delaware
A snapshot from current Delaware openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Delaware Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development director jobs across Delaware.
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field required
- Proven experience managing fundraising campaigns and donor stewardship programs
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with major individual and institutional donors
- Familiarity with Delaware's philanthropic community and regional foundation landscape
- Proficiency with constituent relationship management software such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and donor presentations
Development Director Jobs in Delaware: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development director in Delaware?
The path to a development director role in Delaware starts with a bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, communications, or a related field, often followed by a master's for senior positions. Delaware does not require a state-issued license for fundraising professionals, but many employers favor candidates holding the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential. Building experience in grant writing, major gifts, or annual fund management at Delaware nonprofits, universities, or hospital foundations is the most direct route to the director level.
Which companies hire development directors in Delaware?
Employers hiring development directors in Delaware right now include YMCA, University of Delaware, and AccentCare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Delaware's concentration of nonprofit health systems, independent schools, and community foundations means hiring activity is consistent throughout the year rather than seasonal.
Which Delaware cities have the most development director jobs?
The cities with the most development director openings in Delaware are Newark, Wilmington, and Rehoboth Beach. Wilmington leads as the state's largest metro and home to its biggest nonprofit organizations, corporate headquarters, and hospital systems, while Newark's concentration around the University of Delaware and Dover's state government and community organizations account for much of the activity outside the Wilmington area.
Are there remote development director jobs in Delaware?
Yes, and a meaningful share of roles allow it, since much of a development director's work involves writing, donor communication, and strategy that can be done remotely. About 33% of development director openings tied to Delaware are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how desk-based and relationship-management-focused the role is. Grant writing, prospect research, and reporting functions are the parts most commonly performed off-site.
How can I get hired as a development director in Delaware with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a development associate or development coordinator role at a Delaware nonprofit, hospital foundation, or university advancement office, where you build direct fundraising skills alongside experienced staff. ChristianaCare, the University of Delaware's development office, and mid-size nonprofits in Wilmington regularly hire entry-level development staff. Earning the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential or completing a nonprofit management certificate adds a competitive edge for candidates without a long fundraising history.
Where can I find and apply to development director jobs in Delaware?
You can find and apply to development director jobs in Delaware on Migrate Mate, which lists current Delaware openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that fit your background and preferences, and apply directly to each position through the listing.
See All 12 Development Director Jobs in Delaware
Find roles in Delaware that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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