Director of Development And Communications

L’Arche Greater Washington, DC (GWDC) provides housing and support services to adults with intellectual disabilities in a community life of mutual transformation and joy! L’Arche GWDC serves hundreds of people in the wider community, of many different backgrounds, by offering a place of belonging and growth.

The Director of Development and Communications will lead the community’s efforts to elevate support for the mission of L’Arche. Through relational fundraising, innovative thinking, and strategic direction, this leader is a key steward of the relationships and resources that enable L’Arche GWDC to thrive.

• Lead and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, planned giving, grants, events, and donor pipeline development
• Set annual development and communications priorities and goals in partnership with the Executive Director
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director on all fundraising activities

• Cultivate, steward, and solicit mid and major level donor relationships with a focus on long‑term engagement
• Lead prospecting and relationship‑building efforts to grow and sustain the donor pipeline

• Provide strategic oversight of communications to ensure alignment with L’Arche’s mission, values, and fundraising goals
• Ensure donor‑facing communications are inclusive and mission driven and support engagement, stewardship, and giving
• Supervise outreach activities to support annual goals and needs of the community.

• Provide leadership and supervision for the Development Team, fostering a collaborative, mission‑centered culture
• Oversee grants management, including supervision of the grants consultant and grants volunteer

• Oversee planning and execution of special events, including the annual Heart of L’Arche Fundraiser
• Prepare and present fundraising reports to the Executive Director, Board Development Impact Committee, and Board of Directors
• Partner with board leadership to strengthen board engagement in fundraising
• Other duties as assigned, based on needs, skillset and interests.

• Experience and genuine desire to work with people with disabilities and the people and systems who support them
• Ability to communicate the mission of L’Arche with passion, integrity, and clarity
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a donor‑centered, relationship‑driven fundraising environment
• Optimistic, proactive, and attentive to detail
• Management of staff and activities engaged with big‑picture strategy and day‑to‑day execution
• Motivated by building new relationships and meeting strategic fundraising goals
• Strong time management and prioritization skills, with the ability to work independently as a self‑starter and idea generator
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with Customer Relationships Management systems, or the ability and willingness to learn quickly L’Arche’s use of eTapestry.
• Bachelor’s degree required, further education preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsibilities in fundraising experience, including experience across multiple facets of development and competence to supervise the development team

• Experience in fundraising and donor relations
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities

• Experience with eTapestry or similar CRM systems
• Knowledge of grant writing and management

L’Arche GWDC is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.