Chief Development Officer

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

For over a decade, STEM From Dance (SFD) has been committed to empowering girls of color with the skills, experiences, and confidence to pursue careers in STEM — all through the power of dance. Our mission is rooted in addressing the systemic underrepresentation of women of color in STEM fields. Through our innovative programs and steadfast community support, girls cultivate their creativity, fortify their confidence, and leverage technology to pioneer bold innovations.

Our vision is ambitious: to impact the lives of one million girls, guiding them towards thriving careers in STEM. Already on the path to national and global recognition, SFD is at the forefront of integrating dance with STEM education, driving the charge toward greater representation of women of color in STEM. We envision a future where the STEM landscape is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, where women of color not only participate but lead and innovate.

Built on a foundation of a bold mission, a strategic growth plan, and unwavering core values, STEM From Dance is poised to change the face of STEM.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Chief Development Officer at STEM From Dance, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the organization's fundraising strategy and securing financial resources to support our mission. In this dynamic leadership position, you will lead all aspects of fundraising, including donor cultivation, grant writing, corporate partnerships, and special events. Your strategic vision and expertise will drive the expansion of our donor base, ensuring sustainable growth and impact. With ambitious goals to triple our revenue over the next few years, your leadership will be instrumental in achieving these targets and advancing our mission.

Additionally, you will drive our communications strategy, ensuring that our mission, impact, and successes are effectively communicated to diverse audiences through various channels. With a focus on expanding our reach and resources, you will spearhead initiatives to increase awareness, engagement, and support for STEM From Dance's programs and initiatives. As a key member of our leadership team, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of girls of color in STEM, driving growth, sustainability, and innovation through strategic development and communications efforts.

What You’ll Do

• Lead fundraising strategy to meet ambitious multi-year revenue growth goals.
• Personally manage a portfolio of 100–150 major donors and prospects, raising $1M+ annually.
• Support the CEO’s portfolio of $2M+ in individual, foundation, and corporate donors.
• Build and expand donor pipelines, cultivating transformational gifts from the ground up.
• Strengthen systems, processes, and team capacity for long-term fundraising success.
• Oversee brand messaging and external communications to ensure consistency and impact.
• Represent SFD at donor meetings, events, and key opportunities to build visibility and support.
• Serve as a thought partner on organizational strategy, contributing beyond fundraising.

Who You Are

• Proven track record & deep expertise in securing major gifts (6-7 figures) from start to finish, built through authentic, relationship-based fundraising.
• You have scaled an organization to multi-million dollars in revenue and doubled or tripled revenue with confidence.
• You close deals with strong outcomes and have experience meeting fundraising goals year after year.
• You are efficient and have strong analytical experience using CRM tools and other data to analyze progress and achieve results.
• You are a master storyteller with a knack for influencing others toward outcomes through sophisticated relationship management and building impactful messaging about an organization’s outcomes and brand.
• You are a senior leader and thought partner with past success working with a diverse set of senior leaders to guide organizational strategy.
• You have a growth mindset, delivering measurable outcomes through creativity and data-driven decision-making.
• Your strategic acumen is unparalleled, capable of charting a course that not only meets immediate needs but also paves the way for long-term sustainability and growth.
• You embody STEM From Dance’s work philosophy.
• Bachelor’s degree required (related advanced degree preferred).
• Minimum of 7-12 years of relevant professional experience in fundraising, external affairs, brand management, sales or marketing, preferably in a nonprofit or education setting.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $130,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits and perks including:
• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• 403(b) retirement savings account
• Professional Development Stipend
• 2-week org-wide shutdown at the end of the year
• Generous PTO and flexible scheduling
• Annual staff retreats
• Remote work with 20% travel, including monthly in-person meetings in NYC.

STEM From Dance is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of people from all backgrounds, especially those who have been historically underrepresented in STEM and the arts. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and members of other marginalized groups. We believe that diverse voices make us stronger, and we are dedicated to creating an equitable, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can thrive.