Director, Development

Director, Development

Join to apply for the Director, Development role at KABOOM!

Base pay range

$/yr - $/yr

Who We Are

KABOOM! is the national nonprofit committed to ensuring that every kid, in every community, has an amazing place to play. Our mission is to end playspace inequity – the reality that play spaces are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. We unite with communities to build kid-designed play spaces that can spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for the kids who are often denied opportunities to thrive.

What We Offer

At KABOOM!, we believe in supporting your well-being, financial security, and professional growth. Our total rewards package includes:

• 403(b) retirement plan with up to 6% employer match

• Annual bonus eligibility based on team and individual performance

• Student Loan Assistance Program

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Life insurance, wellness resources, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Flexible and generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Opportunities for professional development

About the Role

The Director of Development is a high-impact, externally focused fundraiser responsible for securing, cultivating, and growing a significant revenue portfolio through proactive donor acquisition, relationship management, and strategic fundraising. This role plays a central part in delivering on KABOOM!’s national growth goals and scaling our impact across communities.

Reporting directly to the Chief Development Officer, the Director serves as a senior frontline fundraiser. We’re seeking a confident, motivated leader with a hunter mentality – someone energized by building new relationships, closing major gifts, leveraging their network, and staying ahead of philanthropic and political trends that influence giving behavior.

You’ll serve as an ambassador for KABOOM! across diverse funder networks and play a central role in driving new revenue streams that advance our mission.

What You’ll Do

• Secure, cultivate, and grow a portfolio of high-potential corporate, foundation, and individual donors

• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of six- and seven-figure investments

• Contribute to KABOOM!’s national fundraising strategy to achieve annual revenue goals of $26M+

• Proactively identify new partnership opportunities aligned with equity, child development, and climate-forward goals

• Play a key role in coalition-building strategies to galvanize local partners and address playspace disparities in targeted communities

• Support innovation in playspace design and partnership models that advance equity, health, learning, and community resiliency

• Collaborate across teams to develop compelling proposals, presentations, and impact reports

External Relationship Management

• Represent KABOOM! with credibility and confidence at donor meetings, events, and conferences

• Build authentic relationships with senior-level funders, corporate leaders, and philanthropic networks

• Monitor trends in philanthropy, public policy, and social innovation to inform donor strategy and positioning

Equity and Culture Contribution

• Promote equity-informed fundraising practices and donor engagement rooted in trust and transparency

• Engage in mentoring and knowledge sharing within the Development team and across departments

• Embrace and model KABOOM!’s core values of partnership, humility, equity, play, and accountability

Operational Excellence

• Maintain accurate donor records and revenue forecasts in Salesforce

• Collaborate with internal partners to ensure timely and strategic funder communications and deliverables

• Travel approximately 30% across the United States and Canada to support donor cultivation, events, and partner engagement

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree and at least 7–10 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified

• Proven experience in large-scale, new philanthropic revenue generation, managing funder relationships, and growing a portfolio of multi-year gifts

• Deep understanding of the current funding environment, with an exceptional ability to build strong cases for support that align with KABOOM! and funder priorities…