DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

About the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF)

Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (“Good Times”), and Ayuko Babu (Executive Director), the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expressions. Based in Los Angeles, PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black film festivals in the U.S. and attracts local, national, and international audiences. In addition, it is an Oscar-qualifying festival for animation and live-action short films, and one of the largest Black History Month events in America.

About the Position

The Director of Development reports directly to the Executive Director and General Manager and will develop and supervise all PAFF development activities, including the annual film and arts festival and year-round activity, including sponsorships and an annual event(s), as well as develop new ways to attract support.

1. Develop and implement a fundraising strategy to secure corporate, foundation, and individual contributions for PAFF’s annual operation and create new fundraising initiatives with a priority on current budget goals and developing future fundraising growth.
2. Fully understand PAFF’s mission, its special role in film programming, and in connecting a variety of audiences to Black films and filmmakers.
3. Participate in planning and execution of special cultivation events and involve donors in the ongoing activities of PAFF.

Individual and Foundation Donors

1. Lead all cultivation activities and solicitations, involving staff, Board, and others as needed.
2. Identify, qualify and prioritize current and potential donors through their interest in specific organizational needs/activities, including artistic, operating, and youth media needs.
3. Build a calendar of activities and other forms of contact with donors and potential donors with the goal of increasing their stewardship of PAFF’s mission and programming.
4. Working with other staff members, build formal plans for donor recognition and ongoing contact with personnel and programming, based on level and potential of giving and develop specific solicitation goals.

Foundation Donors

1. Explore opportunities and partnerships foundations.
2. Maintain relationships with key personnel at foundations.
3. Lead cultivation and solicitation efforts involving staff and Board as needed

Business Donors

1. Prioritize current and best potential corporate partners, with emphasis on their philanthropic mission.
2. Implement regular interaction with their employee base as appropriate, including special activities, newsletters, and onsite distribution of information about upcoming events

General Duties

• Reports informal and formal to Executive Director, General Manager, and appropriate departments.
• Calendar events for current and potential donors that best express the wide variety of PAFF activities.
• Identify, track and report grant application progress to the Executive Director, General Manager, PAFF Board, and other partners as needed.
• Draft grant requests/funding submissions for review and approval by the Executive Director and/or General Manager.
• Coordinate and gather informational requirements for fundraising needs with others in the organization, particularly future programming, financial, student showcase, and specialized programs like PAFF Table Talks, PAFF ArtFest, and PAFF Institute.
• Regular communication, targeted and general, to donors about PAFF’s ongoing filmmaker alum success, such as major festival inclusion and awards, national award recognition, national press features, trade news about new projects, etc.
• Track success and incorporate feedback into fundraising processes to ensure future and growing success.
• Develop and implement the infrastructure necessary to maintain the fundraising efforts of the organization:
  • Create and manage an annual fundraising calendar in cooperation so that all staff are aware of ongoing activities;
  • Design, implement and manage a database to maintain donor information and support communications, programs/campaigns, and reporting.
  • Create succinct, concise weekly reporting for the Executive Director and General Manager and monthly reporting for the appropriate Board and staff; and
  • Develop and implement protocols for acknowledging donor receipts, including phone calls, handwritten notes, etc., and when to use each method of acknowledgment.
• For fundraising events, work with marketing to develop marketing campaigns and coordinate all activities with the Special Events Manager, ensuring collaboration, and effective communication resulting in successful and seamless events.
• Develop, implement and manage a community engagement strategy including community relations, special community programs, and other activities/efforts.
• Provide content for special events and fundraising messages to be included in all marketing initiatives of the organization, including but not limited to, print and web-based materials.

Minimum Qualifications:

– Knowledge and love of film and art in all its forms
– 3-5 years of fundraising and development experience, preferably for a non-profit arts organization
– Demonstrated accomplishment in fundraising and development

Salary is negotiable.

**The Pan African Film & Arts Festival does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.**

Interested applicants can send a cover letter and resume to [email protected].