Associate Director of Institutional Giving

TITLE: Associate Director of Institutional Giving

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of Development

CLASSIFICATION: Exempt, Full Time

BASIC FUNCTION

The Associate Director of Institutional Giving is responsible for growing and stewarding Ford’s Theatre Society’s foundation and government funding portfolio (corporate fundraising is organized in another team) by identifying new opportunities, developing compelling proposals, strengthening funder relationships and translating Ford’s programmatic impact into persuasive communications. Working closely with the Director of Development, Ford’s Theatre leadership and colleagues across departments, this role advances institutional fundraising strategies that increase revenue and support Ford’s strategic priorities.

The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible to work within stated Ford’s hybrid work guidelines which includes up to 2 days a week remote. Ford’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, neurodiversity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Institutional Giving Strategy and Portfolio Growth

• Partner with leadership to cultivate and solicit high-potential prospects while also growing support from current funders. Develop and execute a growth-oriented foundation and government fundraising plan to meet or exceed revenue goals with clear prospect strategies and a moves-management approach to cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

• Research, identify, qualify and prioritize new foundation, government and institutional funding prospects, integrating opportunities into the annual grants calendar.

• Identify arts advocacy efforts at the local and national levels that advance Ford’s mission, public funding goals and role in the Washington, D.C. cultural community. Partner with organizational leadership to position Ford’s Theatre effectively in these settings.

Proposal Development, Grants Management and Public Funding

• Write compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, applications, reports and acknowledgements that clearly articulate Ford’s impact and funding priorities across programmatic areas.

• Strengthen relationships with current and prospective institutional funders through thoughtful cultivation, timely stewardship and strategic engagement with program officers and partners.

• Manage grant deadlines, reporting requirements and stewardship deliverables, ensuring timely coordination across internal teams and with key organizational stakeholders.

• Partner with Corporate Relations team to support reporting and messaging to corporate foundations.

• Partner with finance and programming colleagues to monitor grant-funded activities and prepare accurate financial and supplementary materials for proposals and reports.

Impact, Evaluation and Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with programming, education, finance and communications colleagues to gather the information, outcomes, data and stories needed to support strong proposals, reports and stewardship materials.

• Track, analyze and communicate evaluation and survey data that demonstrates Ford’s programmatic impact and strengthens the case for institutional support.

• Maintain consistent approach to collecting and utilizing impact data for funder reporting, audience insights and development strategy.

Communications, Messaging Frameworks and Organizational Values

• Synthesize programmatic information from across the organization into clear messaging frameworks, pitches and narrative tools that development colleagues can deploy in donor conversations, proposals and stewardship materials.

• Serve as the Development team's primary resource for donor-facing communications and messaging, producing department-wide materials—including the annual impact report, funder e-newsletters and case statements—that strengthen relationships and support fundraising across all donor groups. Manage content, timelines and accuracy to ensure materials reflect Ford's priorities and resonate with diverse donor audiences.

• Maintain and regularly update a centralized library of organizational resources—financial records, audience testimonials, survey data, graphics and narrative content—ensuring the full team has current, consistent assets for proposals, stewardship and donor communications.

Leadership & Staff Engagement

• Support the Director of Development in building a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

• Serve as a mentor and resource to colleagues on effective donor messaging, communications strategies and institutional priorities.

• Represent Ford’s Theatre at donor events, performances, and cultivation activities.

• Lead guided tours and personalized experiences for donors and prospects. Participate in occasional trainings to stay current with Ford’s interpretations of historic events and their relevancy today.

• Participate in strategic planning discussions and cross departmental initiatives.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Exceptional written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate detailed programmatic information into compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

• Strong research and analytical skills, including identifying and qualifying institutional funding prospects and interpreting program evaluation data.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage a complex grants calendar, multiple deadlines and competing priorities simultaneously.

• Skilled relationship builder with experience engaging foundations, government funders, program officers and organizational leadership with professionalism and strategic intent.

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of donors, staff, volunteers, and senior leadership. High degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances and events.

• Enthusiasm for the performing arts, education, and/or history.

Experience

• Minimum six years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, preferably within a cultural, arts or educational organization, with a demonstrated track record of meeting or exceeding revenue goals.

• Experience writing and managing institutional grants, including all associated reports and required documentation.

• History of productive collaboration with program, education, finance, marketing/communications, and leadership teams to gather information, develop budgets, track outcomes, and produce accurate proposal and reporting materials.

• Experience translating program outcomes, audience data, evaluation findings, and participant stories into compelling funder-facing narratives, reports, case statements, or stewardship communications.

• Experience developing and executing institutional fundraising strategies, including prospect research, moves management and portfolio growth.

• Familiarity with arts advocacy at the local or national level, and/or experience engaging with public funding agencies such as National Endowment for the Arts, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or other similar entities, preferred.

Note that the use of AI products and solutions may be part of this position’s work. In all cases, this must be done in partnership with the Director of Development and prioritize the ethical, responsible and beneficial use of AI in philanthropy and fundraising.

SALARY

Approximately $75,000-$85,000 annually.

Ford’s offers a dynamic working environment steeped in culture and history along with a robust benefits package including highly subsidized health insurance, 401(k) contributions, and generous paid leave policies.

TO APPLY

Please send resume and cover letter to fordstheatrehiring@fords.org. A writing sample will also be required as candidates proceed through the interview process.