Director of Development

Responsibilities

Lead fundraising strategy:
Design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with KALW’s mission, values, and growth goals. Set clear revenue targets and build systems to meet them across individual, institutional, and earned revenue. Evaluate current systems and tools to design fundraising practices moving forward.

Lead institutional storytelling and marketing strategy:
Partner with communications, editorial, and senior leadership to shape and steward KALW’s institutional narrative. Ensure fundraising, marketing, and public‑facing communications are aligned, compelling, and values‑driven. Help translate complex work into clear, resonant stories for donors, foundations, partners, and the broader public.

Play a senior role in defining how KALW shows up as a brand, a civic institution, and a cultural force.

Grow major, leadership, and listener giving:
Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects. Partner closely with the Executive Director on top relationships and solicitations. Help donors and listeners see themselves as builders of public media and civic infrastructure.

Advance institutional partnerships:
Lead institutional fundraising strategy and relationships with local, regional, and national foundations. Personally engage with foundation partners as a senior representative of KALW, shaping multi‑year investments aligned with our journalism, music, training, and civic impact work. Oversee foundation and institutional giving in close partnership with program, editorial, and leadership staff. Position KALW as a trusted, long‑term partner for foundation investment in public media, culture, and civic life, and as a field leader in innovative, community‑centered public media.

Strengthen listener membership and on‑air fundraising:
Provide strategic leadership for KALW’s listener membership program, including on‑air drives and digital campaigns.

Partner with programming, editorial, and marketing teams to evolve on‑air drives so they are mission‑forward, compelling, and aligned with KALW’s values and voice. Use audience insight, storytelling, and experimentation to grow listener revenue and deepen long‑term member relationships.

Lead and develop the team:
Manage and mentor a small, strong development team.

Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and joy around fundraising. Work with a highly engaged, evolving board to deepen giving, expand networks, and strengthen governance around fundraising. Support board members as authentic ambassadors and fundraisers.

Applications considered on a rolling basis until Sunday Feb 8, 11:59PM.

Target

Start Date:

April 1, 2026.

Email Eli Wirtschafter at eli if you have any questions or accessibility issues.