Vice President of Development

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 playspaces are not available to every child, especially in communities of color. We unite with communities to build kid-designed playspaces 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 Vice President of Development is a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing KABOOM!’s fundraising strategy and managing the day‑to‑day operations of the Development department. This is a pivotal and transformational time for the organization. With a changing economic landscape, shifting donor priorities, and evolving funding trends, we need a visionary and adaptable leader who can strengthen institutional partnerships, identify new revenue opportunities, and drive sustainable growth.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Vice President serves as a Senior Team member and acts as a key driver of revenue generation, donor stewardship, and development team management.

This role oversees the execution of fundraising initiatives across corporate, foundation, and government channels and leads a high‑performing team to meet or exceed annual revenue goals. The Vice President partners closely with the CDO to operationalize long‑term strategy and ensure alignment with KABOOM!’s mission, financial objectives, and strategic priorities.

What You’ll Do

• Operationalize and execute the implementation of a multi‑year fundraising strategy
• Translate strategic priorities into clear, actionable fundraising plans, pipelines, and performance metrics
• Manage day‑to‑day fundraising activities across corporate, foundation, government revenue streams, ensuring sustained and diversified revenue growth
• Oversee the development of compelling proposals, donor reports, and stewardship materials in collaboration with the Communications and Programs teams

Strategic Planning & Forecasting

• Partner with the CDO to translate the long‑term development vision into annual and multi‑year revenue plans aligned with organizational goals
• Lead revenue forecasting, donor pipeline analysis, and scenario planning to guide executive decision‑making and ensure financial sustainability
• Continuously assess market trends and fundraising performance to refine strategies and maximize growth potential
• Directly supervise and develop Development team members, fostering a culture of professional growth, innovation, accountability, and results
• Establish clear goals and performance metrics for each team member, ensuring they have the resources and guidance to meet and exceed fundraising targets and are aligned with the organization’s strategy, financial plan, and business model
• Enhance internal capacity by identifying and implementing best practices in fundraising, donor stewardship, and partnership management
• Proactively support team development through coaching, mentorship, and succession planning initiatives

Cross‑Team Collaboration & Organizational Impact

• Manage cross‑department collaboration to ensure fundraising efforts align with KABOOM!’s goals, strategy, financial plan, business model, and operational needs
• Develop strong cases of support in partnership with program, communications, and executive leadership to communicate KABOOM!’s value and outcomes and to attract new funders
• Provide data‑driven insights and regular fundraising reports to the CDO and Executive Team ensuring transparency and informed decision‑making

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel nationally for donor meetings, stewardship, and fundraising events.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or partnership management roles within nonprofit, foundation, or mission‑driven organizations, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.
• Proven leadership experience overseeing institutional fundraising strategies, including corporate, foundation, and government partnerships
• Deep understanding of corporate, foundation, and individual giving trends, with the ability to build and sustain high‑value partnerships
• Experience leading large‑scale fundraising initiatives, managing complex donor relationships, and navigating evolving funding environments
• Strong strategic and business acumen, with experience developing and executing revenue growth strategies
• Exceptional relationship‑building and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire executive‑level stakeholders, donors, and partners
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams, fostering collaboration and professional growth

Other Position Details

• This position is full‑time
• Location: Bethesda, Maryland/Hybrid (in‑office presence required three days per week)

Equal Opportunity Statement

Building an inclusive, high‑performing team that is diverse across lines of personal identity is integral to our success and we are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. This means we do not discriminate against any job applicant or employee because of their race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

We actively strive and evolve to develop and maintain fully inclusive workspaces. We encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Note

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This job description does not constitute an employee agreement between the employer and the employee: this description is subject to change by the employer as the needs and requirements of the position change.