We’re hiring a Director of Development
Design that Matters (DtM) works with the world’s best social enterprises to create new products and services for the poor in developing countries. We have just moved into a new space in Salem, MA. In this expanded design studio, we will combine our award-winning design approach with cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to launch breakthrough innovations that combat poverty. Our goals are ambitious: the new program will require more resources than we can raise ourselves, so we’re looking for another teammate.
As DtM’s Director of Development, your primary mission will be fundraising. DtM has a small but committed group of donors and a dedicated community of professional volunteers–and 2012 was the best year in the company’s history. Building on DtM’s results, reputation and community, you will develop new sources of program support and long-term growth capital.
You believe that money follows attention. You love telling stories. You’re familiar with the ways in which a small organization can maintain a steady stream of attention in an environment that is saturated with design and innovation, and where there are many similar programs that are also doing good work.
You know that it takes more than money to sustain an organization like ours. You understand that accomplishing our mission requires attracting people willing to contribute their expertise for free, or at rates well below what they could charge in the for-profit sector. You love throwing parties, and you write excellent thank-you letters.
You have a depth of expertise, but you’re excited to take on challenges well outside your experience. You’re comfortable socializing in the kitchen of a major donor, and with figuring out the latest social media web app. You enjoy collaborating with a team, but you’re also a good fit with DtM’s culture of self-education and DIY. You know that a small office means we’re all closer to the day-to-day work, from scheduling our own calendars and posting our own FedEx packages, to arranging the cheese plate for an after-hours office event. Although our current donor and volunteer community is mostly local, you’re available to travel periodically, both in the US and overseas.
You’ve done this job before, and you’ve made a difference. You’ve built your own processes to manage a busy pipeline of opportunities. Your creative ideas for fundraising, brand development and community management have had an impact on an organization’s bottom line.
Success will mean that by this time next year, you will have generated significantly more diversity in funding sources (individuals, foundations, corporations and government), and increased DtM’s annual core support so we can expand our capacity and our global impact.
HOW TO APPLY
Email a cover letter and work experience to info@designthatmatters.org. Please put “[RD]” in the subject line of your email so we can filter your application.
In your letter, please include answers to the following three questions:
1. Propose three donors or foundations that you would approach to support DtM’s Project Firefly.
2. What are three ways in which we might improve the DtM website to better tell our story and raise our profile?
3. Describe an event we might host at our new studio in early 2013 to recognize our current donors and volunteers, and attract new ones.
We look forward to hearing from you!