About WORTHLESSSTUDIOS (WS)WORTHLESSSTUDIOS is a young, fast-growing organization that has achieved outsized impact in its first seven years through experimentation, ambition, and a deeply collaborative way of working. Operating in fast paced, start-up–like environment, WS has built a strong national reputation, secured significant institutional support, and delivered complex, high-impact programs with a small and resourceful team.WS is not a legacy organization with fixed systems so we are seeking a Director of Development who sees the long-term vision of what WS is building and wants to help shape its next phase from the inside. This role will directly influence how resources are raised, structured, and deployed, expanding the amount of money, time, and support that flows to artists and the work they create.The Director of Development owns WORTHLESSSTUDIOS’ annual fundraising revenue goal of $1.75M across individual, institutional, corporate and special campaign giving. This role is responsible for setting strategy, managing the full development pipeline, managing staff and ensuring fundraising efforts are aligned with the organization’s long-term vision and commitment to artists.Reporting directly to the Founder & Artistic Director and the Board of Directors, the Director of Development works in close collaboration with the Founder & Artistic Director and the Director of Programming. As the organization grows, this role will manage and mentor development staff and contractors, building the systems, team, and culture needed to sustainably expand the organization.RESPONSIBILITIES:Strategic Leadership & Fundraising ManagementLead all aspects of WS’s philanthropic strategy, including oversight of the fundraising pipeline, moves management, and long-term revenue planning.Develop and refine WS’s case for support; produce compelling proposals, pitch materials, and donor-facing collateral.Partner directly with the Founder and Board to plan and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies that advance major gifts, institutional support, and capital priorities.Personally manage and solicit a portfolio of major donors ($100K–$1M+), ensuring high-touch, customized engagement.Serve as a visible organizational ambassador, embodying WS’s values and mission in all interactions.Contribute to strategic planning discussions as the development voice at the leadership table.Perform additional responsibilities typical for a growing arts nonprofit building toward long-term sustainability.Development Operations & InfrastructureImplement, continuously improve, and use development operation’s systems, including data management, tracking, reporting, forecasting, and acknowledgment processes.Further advance WS’s Salesforce infrastructure to enhance prospecting workflows, segmentation tools, reporting dashboards, and campaign analytics.Prospecting & Relationship BuildingIdentify individuals, institutions and corporations through research, mapping, and industry analysis.Build new donor pipelines while strengthening existing donor relationships through personalized stewardship and cultivation strategies.Represent WS at external events, networking opportunities, and partner cultural programs to proactively broaden the organization’s philanthropic community.Institutional Giving & GrantsOversee the grants portfolio and calendar, in collaboration with the Director of Programming and part-time Grant Writer.Develop strategy for institutional fundraising, identifying new foundation prospects aligned with programming and capital needs.Contribute to writing and editing grant proposals, narratives, reports, and supplemental materialsSteward grantor relationships.Events & Donor EngagementLead planning and execution of strategic cultivation events for the Founder and Board, ensuring each event advances donor movement along the pipeline.Co-lead with internal teams the annual fundraising event and other signature fundraising events.Plan and execute other small donor stewardship activations throughout the year.Cross-Departmental CollaborationPartner with Program and Marketing Manager to develop and manage a development communications calendar, ensuring donor communication is timely, on-brand, and strategic across appeals, campaigns, and institutional announcements.Collaborate with Finance team to produce budgets, revenue forecasts, cash flow models, and regular board-level reporting.Work closely with Director of Programming to ensure fundraising is deeply connected to mission delivery and artist-centered outcomes.Report to Board of Directors at quarterly board meetings, presenting updates on organization’s fundraising status and financial stability.QUALIFICATIONS: 7+ years of progressive development experience at not-for-profits, including leadership of major gifts portfolios and donor strategy. Capital campaign experience a strong plus.Demonstrated success securing major gifts in the $100K–$1M range.Extensive experience engaging and managing high-net-worth individuals, Boards, and senior leaders.Strong knowledge of NYC’s arts and culture ecosystem and philanthropic community.Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and diplomatically across diverse audiences.Highly organized, deadline-driven, and skilled at managing multiple priorities with precision and composure.Creative, solutions-oriented thinker comfortable building systems in an early-stage, entrepreneurial environment.Proficiency in Google Suite, Slack, and Salesforce (expert-level); experience with Notion or Adobe Suite is a plus.Availability for occasional evenings/weekends aligned with events and cultivation needs.
