Director of Development and Fundraising (Consultant)

MAEC was founded in 1992 as an education non-profit dedicated to increasing access to equitable educational opportunities so all students can learn and achieve at high levels. Our mission is to promote excellence and equity in education to achieve social justice. MAEC collaborates with the U.S. Department of Education, the Offices for Civil Rights, the Department of Justice, state departments of education, districts, and schools to ensure that students are treated equitably and are given access to a rigorous curriculum regardless of race, gender, national origin (English Learners), sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or religious beliefs. We provide technical assistance and professional learning for state department personnel, administrators, principals, teachers, and families on culturally responsive pedagogy, violence and harassment prevention, prejudice reduction, family engagement, culturally proficient teacher training, compliance with educational laws and regulations, and other issues related to school improvement. POSITION DESCRIPTION Reporting to the President, the Director of Development and Fundraising will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for MAEC’s fundraising, resource development, and external relations activities. This is a senior leadership role that requires a mission-driven, results-oriented professional with a proven track record of cultivating donors, securing grants, and building sustainable revenue streams in support of educational equity. The Director must be a collaborative leader who brings strategic vision, strong interpersonal skills, and deep knowledge of the nonprofit development landscape to advance MAEC’s mission and long-term organizational goals. The successful candidate will be process-minded and data-driven, with the sensitivity and personal confidence to build authentic relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including individual donors, corporate partners, foundations, and government agencies. Like the President, the Director of Development and Fundraising must demonstrate a deep knowledge of MAEC’s field, core programs, and strategic plans, and must be able to align all development activities with the organization’s mission and values. RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership & Planning Collaborate with the President and Board of Directors to develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with MAEC’s mission and strategic plan. Maintain continuous and transparent communication with the President, keeping senior leadership informed of development progress, pipeline status, and critical issues. Promote a culture of philanthropy and continuous improvement across development operations, focusing on systems and process improvement to support both current and future organizational growth. Recommend annual fundraising targets, timelines, and resources required to achieve strategic plan goals, monitor performance against benchmarks and report outcomes to the Board and President. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation funders to grow MAEC’s contributed revenue base. Oversee and grow MAEC’s grant program, including identifying new funding opportunities, leading proposal development, and managing timely submissions of high-quality grant applications and reports. Develop and manage annual giving campaigns, planned giving initiatives, and donor recognition programs that deepen engagement with MAEC’s philanthropic community. Assist in the preparation and submission of federal and state grant proposals, reports, compliance documents, and other materials in partnership with program staff. Monitor and evaluate the return on investment of all fundraising activities and adjust strategies as needed to meet organizational revenue goals. External Relations & Partnerships Build and sustain strategic partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, and corporate partners to advance MAEC’s mission and expand its funding network. Represent MAEC at external events, conferences, and convenings to raise the organization’s profile and cultivate new philanthropic relationships. Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop compelling donor-facing materials, impact reports, case statements, and other materials that articulate MAEC’s mission and outcomes. Operations & Administration Develop and oversee the maintenance and use of donor database systems to ensure accurate recordkeeping, prospect management, and reporting. Coordinate Board of Directors development committee meetings; prepare meeting materials, reports, and draft minutes/action items. Perform other duties as assigned by the President. QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated commitment to MAEC’s guiding principles: Excellence, Equity, Integrity, Innovation, and Synergy. Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, or external relations, with a demonstrated track record of securing major gifts and grants. Proven success in cultivating and managing relationships with individual donors, corporate funders, and foundations. Extensive experience with federal and/or state grant writing and management, preferably in the education sector. Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor stewardship, and strategic donor cultivation. High level of professionalism, flexibility, diplomacy, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling narratives for diverse audiences. Strong computer and technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM/donor database platforms, and project management tools. Outstanding organizational abilities, good judgment, strong attention to detail, and the capacity to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously. Mission-driven leader with sensitivity to issues of race, equity, and social justice in education. REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in nonprofit management, education, public policy, or a related field strongly preferred. Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Resident of the DMV metro area a plus; ability to attend meetings in D.C. area as requested. Availability for occasional evening and weekend events and travel as required by fundraising activities. Commitment to and experience with educational equity issues a strong plus. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Compensation will be commensurate with experience. TO APPLY: Please send your resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io . Both the cover letter and resume must be sent as attachments and not in the body of the e-mail. A writing sample (e.g., a grant narrative, case statement, or donor communication) is strongly encouraged. Please use “Application: Director of Development and Fundraising” in the subject line of your e-mail. NO PHONE CALLS. Join Our Mailing List Receive monthly updates on news and events. Learn about best practices. 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