Development Director Jobs in District of Columbia
Development Director jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in Washington, D.C., with additional activity in neighboring Silver Spring and Arlington, where major nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and federal-adjacent institutions drive consistent demand. Employers with deep roots in the market include the American Red Cross, National Geographic Society, and AARP, all of which maintain active fundraising and development operations. The most sought-after specialties are major gifts, federal grants management, and corporate partnerships. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 70+ Development Director jobs
DEPARTMENT: Development
REPORTS TO: Director of Development & Alumni Relations
STATUS: Full Time, 12 month position
START DATE: Immediately
ABOUT EDMUND BURKE SCHOOL
Founded in 1968, Edmund Burke School is an independent, co-ed day school for 6th-12th grade
on a city campus in Washington, DC – interweaving academic challenge, experiential learning,
and civic engagement in a welcoming, inquisitive community. Long committed to progressive
pedagogy, Burke centers the intellectual and creative lives of students and emphasizes active
learning, responsive teaching, and engagement with the world around us. Administrators,
faculty and staff bring a diversity of experiences and expertise to Burke, enjoy learning from and
collaborating with one another, and commit to continual growth and professional development.
Moveover, Burke adults thrive in a community where the growth and learning of young people is
the collective focus and priority for all.
JOB SUMMARY
The Assistant Director of Development/Annual Fund supports all areas of the Development
Office, as directed by the Director of Development & Alumni Relations, with a specific emphasis
on the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual donors through the Burke Annual
Fund. This is a full-time, year-round position, which is annually contracted from July 1–June 30.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for meeting the Annual Fund goal set by the Board of Trustees.
- Conceptualizes and executes an Annual Fund plan to maximize income and participation
staff, trustees and other friends of the school – utilizing a variety of techniques,
including a major annual Day of Giving, direct mail, outreach through email, phone and
texts, proposal writing, face-to-face solicitations, matching gifts, and third-party giving.
- Coordinates with colleagues to thoughtfully build and steward donor relationships, and
acknowledgements.
- Leads various events to include a major donor stewardship event.
- Coordinates with the Assistant Director of Development, Advancement Services to
segment donor lists and to ensure the data integrity of gift information, biographical and
relational data in Burke’s development database, Raiser’s Edge. Executes reports and
analyzes data to inform Annual Fund and major donor approaches and strategies.
- Develops a robust volunteer program including parents, trustees, alums, faculty/staff
volunteers on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
- Works with the Director of Development to coordinate the cultivation and stewardship of
- Synthesizes information from a variety of sources to develop comprehensive prospect
solicitation and stewardship cycle.
- Works with colleagues to support engagement with Burke alumni, and is specifically
- Works within a small cohesive team, supporting all Development Office initiatives and
stewardship events, alumni relations activities and events, and major donor, planned
giving and campaign activities
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education/Experience:
- BA preferred
- 3-5 years of direct fundraising experience, preferably focused on Annual Fund efforts
- previous experience with direct mail, email and phonathon solicitations.
- substantial experience with a development Constituent Relationship Management (CRM)
- experience with the Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge is strongly desired
- Experience with a data mining software desirable; experience with Blackbaud’s
ResearchPoint preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- goal-oriented, able to meet deadlines
- possess strategic thinking and detail-oriented skills,
- ability to work well independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- excellent computer skills, with strong proficiency in Google Drive, Microsoft Word,
- Must be able to attend weekend and evening activities, as necessary.
- Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At Edmund Burke School, we have a longstanding commitment to equity and inclusion. We are
dedicated to hiring people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and we honor the dignity
and worth of all people. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, physical abilities,
sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or veteran status. We expect the values and
work of prospective candidates to align with our mission on equity and inclusion. The culture of
the Edmund Burke School aims to embrace differences, develop sensitivity to the perspectives
of others, and prevent isolation of any one group of individuals.
Salary Range: $70,000-$85,000 based on relevant experience and other job-related factors
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Kozak Rawlings,
Director of Development & Alumni Relations at jennifer.rawlings@burkeschool.org.
DEPARTMENT: Development
REPORTS TO: Director of Development & Alumni Relations
STATUS: Full Time, 12 month position
START DATE: Immediately
ABOUT EDMUND BURKE SCHOOL
Founded in 1968, Edmund Burke School is an independent, co-ed day school for 6th-12th grade
on a city campus in Washington, DC – interweaving academic challenge, experiential learning,
and civic engagement in a welcoming, inquisitive community. Long committed to progressive
pedagogy, Burke centers the intellectual and creative lives of students and emphasizes active
learning, responsive teaching, and engagement with the world around us. Administrators,
faculty and staff bring a diversity of experiences and expertise to Burke, enjoy learning from and
collaborating with one another, and commit to continual growth and professional development.
Moveover, Burke adults thrive in a community where the growth and learning of young people is
the collective focus and priority for all.
JOB SUMMARY
The Assistant Director of Development/Annual Fund supports all areas of the Development
Office, as directed by the Director of Development & Alumni Relations, with a specific emphasis
on the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual donors through the Burke Annual
Fund. This is a full-time, year-round position, which is annually contracted from July 1–June 30.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for meeting the Annual Fund goal set by the Board of Trustees.
- Conceptualizes and executes an Annual Fund plan to maximize income and participation
staff, trustees and other friends of the school – utilizing a variety of techniques,
including a major annual Day of Giving, direct mail, outreach through email, phone and
texts, proposal writing, face-to-face solicitations, matching gifts, and third-party giving.
- Coordinates with colleagues to thoughtfully build and steward donor relationships, and
acknowledgements.
- Leads various events to include a major donor stewardship event.
- Coordinates with the Assistant Director of Development, Advancement Services to
segment donor lists and to ensure the data integrity of gift information, biographical and
relational data in Burke’s development database, Raiser’s Edge. Executes reports and
analyzes data to inform Annual Fund and major donor approaches and strategies.
- Develops a robust volunteer program including parents, trustees, alums, faculty/staff
volunteers on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
- Works with the Director of Development to coordinate the cultivation and stewardship of
- Synthesizes information from a variety of sources to develop comprehensive prospect
solicitation and stewardship cycle.
- Works with colleagues to support engagement with Burke alumni, and is specifically
- Works within a small cohesive team, supporting all Development Office initiatives and
stewardship events, alumni relations activities and events, and major donor, planned
giving and campaign activities
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education/Experience:
- BA preferred
- 3-5 years of direct fundraising experience, preferably focused on Annual Fund efforts
- previous experience with direct mail, email and phonathon solicitations.
- substantial experience with a development Constituent Relationship Management (CRM)
- experience with the Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge is strongly desired
- Experience with a data mining software desirable; experience with Blackbaud’s
ResearchPoint preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- goal-oriented, able to meet deadlines
- possess strategic thinking and detail-oriented skills,
- ability to work well independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- excellent computer skills, with strong proficiency in Google Drive, Microsoft Word,
- Must be able to attend weekend and evening activities, as necessary.
- Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At Edmund Burke School, we have a longstanding commitment to equity and inclusion. We are
dedicated to hiring people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and we honor the dignity
and worth of all people. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, physical abilities,
sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, or veteran status. We expect the values and
work of prospective candidates to align with our mission on equity and inclusion. The culture of
the Edmund Burke School aims to embrace differences, develop sensitivity to the perspectives
of others, and prevent isolation of any one group of individuals.
Salary Range: $70,000-$85,000 based on relevant experience and other job-related factors
TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to Jennifer Kozak Rawlings,
Director of Development & Alumni Relations at jennifer.rawlings@burkeschool.org.
See All 70 Development Director Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find Development Director JobsDevelopment Director Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Development Director Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in development director jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, public policy, or a related field
- Five or more years of progressive fundraising or development experience in a nonprofit setting
- Demonstrated success managing major gifts, annual fund campaigns, or federal grant portfolios
- Experience leading and mentoring a development team of two or more staff members
- Proficiency with donor management platforms such as Salesforce Nonprofit, Raiser's Edge, or similar CRM
- Strong written communication skills for grant proposals, donor stewardship materials, and board reports
Development Director Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a development director in District of Columbia?
Most development directors in D.C. enter the field through nonprofit program or communications roles and move into fundraising over several years. D.C. does not require a state-issued license for this role, but employers here strongly favor candidates who hold or are pursuing the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential, administered by CFRE International. A bachelor's degree is standard, and many D.C. organizations prioritize candidates familiar with federal grant compliance and congressional relations.
Which companies hire development directors in District of Columbia?
Employers hiring development directors in District of Columbia right now include Rainmaker Technology, Georgetown University, and EAB, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. D.C.'s high concentration of national nonprofits, advocacy groups, and policy-focused foundations means the market stays active year-round, with particularly strong demand among organizations tied to health equity, international development, and civil rights.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most development director jobs?
Washington and Foggy Bottom have the most development director openings in District of Columbia. Washington itself accounts for the largest share because it is home to the national headquarters of hundreds of major nonprofits and associations, while Silver Spring and Arlington attract development talent from organizations that operate just outside the District's core but draw heavily from the same regional donor networks.
Are there remote development director jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 91% of development director openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the role involves writing, relationship management, and digital communications. Prospect research, grant writing, and donor stewardship work lend themselves well to remote arrangements, while major donor cultivation and board meetings typically require periodic in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a development director in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a development associate or grants coordinator role at a D.C.-area nonprofit, where you gain hands-on experience with donor databases and grant reporting. Organizations like the Washington Area Women's Foundation and local chapters of United Way regularly hire entry-level development staff. Building a portfolio of successful grant applications or annual fund results, and earning the Associate CFRE designation, can accelerate promotion into a director-level position.
Where can I find and apply to development director jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to development director jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the region. Search the listings for roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the employers posting them. No account or profile is required to view and apply to the positions listed.
See All 70 Development Director Jobs in District of Columbia
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