Position Profile

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus provides choral music education and performance opportunities of the highest quality for young people representing Los Angeles County’s richly diverse racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

The Organization

GRAMMY Award-Winning Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) seeks an energetic, collaborative, strategic, and experienced fundraising leader to join the organization as Director of Development.  The Director of Development will be a member of LACC’s senior leadership team and will oversee all contributed revenue generation for the organization. 

LACC is one of the world’s preeminent youth choruses. It has been lauded as “hauntingly beautiful” (Los Angeles Times), “the best children’s chorus I have ever heard” (Esa-Pekka Salonen), and “one of the true artistic gems of Los Angeles” (Gustavo Dudamel). Led by Artistic Director Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, LACC annually appears in more than 50 public performances, including its own self-produced concerts and in collaborations with leading organizations such as Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Pasadena Symphony and POPS. The chorus regularly tours nationally and internationally, thanks to dedicated support from enthusiastic philanthropists.

The Chorus annually serves more than 500 young people ages 6–18 from 40+ communities across Southern California through its seven choirs and its “First Experiences in Singing” and “Next Experiences in Singing” classes. LACC celebrates its 40^th Anniversary in the 2025-26 season, and the Director of Development will play a key role in leading the 40^th Anniversary Campaign, as well as designing and implementing a series of special events.

Short term (FY26) goals for the development office include:

• Leverage the 40^th Anniversary to strengthen current donor relationships, re-engage lapsed donors, and engage new donors through a suite of events and an LACC@40 Giving Campaign;
• Continue to increase new-to-file donors, with a strong emphasis on the current, and past, parent community;
• Focus on current priorities in need of funding: Tours, and Financial Aid;
• Assess the fundraising objectives of the Financial Plan found in the Strategic Plan (completed in March 2025) and recommend any revisions and updates. Take first steps in implementation;
• Complete hiring of a second-in-command by Q4

Longer Term (beyond FY26) goals for the development office include:

• Work closely with Executive Director and Artistic Director on key priorities as per the Strategic Plan: obtaining sponsorships for new concert series "Great Music in Great Spaces;" sustainable funding plans for Touring and Financial Aid; create funding framework to support LACC's facilities needs;
• Continue to increase new-to-file donors, with a strong emphasis on the current, and past, parent community;
• Create a vision and plan for LACC's special event framework;
• Identify opportunities for, and cultivate, increased major individual and institutional philanthropy.

The Position

The Director of Development will report to, and work closely with, LACC’s Executive Director. They will manage the Chorus’s Contract Grant Writer and a second-in-command Development team member who they will have the opportunity to hire to support the devising and implementing of strategies to grow funders, build and nurture relationships, and increase overall contributed revenue. They will work in close concert with the Marketing and Communications Manager to ensure that timelines, imagery, themes and productivity of mass and targeted communications are maintained.

The Development Director will serve as a leader of staff, Board, and volunteers in achieving ambitious fundraising goals, with a continued and strong focus on LACC’s mission and the children, families, partners and communities that the organization serves.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a history of maintaining the highest ethical standards in their work.  They will have a strong commitment to LACC’s mission, and an enthusiasm for working in a youth-facing organization that transforms lives through the power of choral music education.

Responsibilities:

Strategy Development

• Provide strategic leadership in creating and implementing a comprehensive Fund Development Plan for the organization, that is integrated with its overall Organizational Strategic Plan. The Plan will detail all aspects of LACC’s development efforts, including individual giving, major gifts, special events, corporate and foundation relations, capital initiatives, planned giving, in-kind giving, and other new initiatives. The plan will detail short and long-range goals and specific and measurable strategies for accomplishing these goals, including ensuring LACC’s continued ability to provide financial aid to its choristers.
• Implement all Development Strategies in the Strategic Plan (completed in 2025) to support key strategic initiatives. Participate in long-range strategic planning and ongoing strategy development with key stakeholders, including the Artistic Director, Executive Director, and Board of Directors.

Donor and Alumni Engagement

• Serve as one of LACC’s primary external ambassadors; develop and maintain close relationships with LACC’s family of supporters, including the Board of Directors, individual donors, corporate sponsors, institutional funders, alumni, and community leaders, as well as new prospects in each category.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major individual donors and prospects (including Donor Advised Funds and Family Foundations), with regular donor visits each month.
• Serve as LACC’s primary contact with alumni, organize alumni engagement events, and identify opportunities to engage alumni in philanthropy.

Special Events

• Oversee the planning, management, and execution of LACC’s fundraising events in partnership with the Executive Director and Development Committee. Oversee volunteers and vendors who support the event.
• Conceptualize, plan, and run smaller cultivation, stewardship, and revenue-generating events throughout the year, including 40^th Anniversary focused events.

Corporate and Foundation Relations

• Collaborate with LACC’s grant writer to identify new funding opportunities and secure significant foundation and governmental support, and contribute to the grant-writing process by providing oversight and contributing content. Oversee and track the grants development and reporting schedule.
• Play a key role in managing relationships with existing institutional funders, including attending funder- organized events.
• Build and steward relationships with corporate entities in a variety of sectors to secure monetary and in- kind support for programming and special events.

Communications

• In concert with the Executive Director, Artistic Director, and Marketing and Communications team, develop key messaging that is clear, comprehensive, and compelling in presenting an inspiring story about LACC’s mission, impact, and dual commitments to artistic and educational excellence.
• Collaborate effectively across the organization to ensure opportunities for strategic collaboration between fundraising initiatives and programmatic, marketing, and performance activities, in alignment with the broader organizational vision.

Other

• Create and manage the development budget - set quarterly and annual goals, track progress, and create concise monthly reports for Executive Director, Board of Director and Development Committee. Track department expenditures relative to approved budget.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Board of Directors’ Development Committee; equip, mobilize, and support Directors as they fulfill their development responsibilities and play an integral role in the overall success of LACC’s fundraising efforts.
• Oversee gift processing and acknowledgment processes, assuring timely correspondence, efficient internal systems, accurate record-keeping, fulfillment of funder benefits/recognition, and monthly reconciliation with LACC’s finance department.
• Keep abreast of the latest research and trends in philanthropy, particularly those pertaining to the performing arts and music education.
• Attend LACC performances; represent LACC at various civic, cultural, and other public
• Other duties as determined by the Executive

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree, and 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in not-for-profit fundraising, preferably in the arts and culture sector.
• Demonstrated experience devising, implementing, and managing individual and institutional fundraising efforts, including experience with all facets of the donor cycle – from prospecting to post-giving stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience in conceptualizing, managing, and implementing special events, including working with vendors and volunteers to enhance the donor/attendee experience.
• Exceptional writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak persuasively about LACC’s mission and work.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing and nurturing direct reports and volunteers, with strengths in training and project management.
• Personable, donor-centric communication with high ethical standards, discretion, tact, and
• Highly motivated, with the ability to work both collaboratively as part of a close-knit team and independently.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously with a strong attention to
• Strong computer skills, including fluency in MS Office, experience with Special Event applications and wealth screening tools, and strong skills with customer relationship managements databases.
• Passion and commitment to LACC’s mission and programs.
• Valid California Driver’s License and access to a

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in not-for-profit fundraising for a youth-facing organization and/or a performing arts or education-focused organization.
• Experience in working with Patron Manager (CRM) and OneCause (Special Event Application).
• Experience managing a portfolio of major individual donors, with a demonstrable track record of successfully soliciting five- and six-figure gifts.
• Relationships with donors and funders in the Los Angeles (particularly Pasadena based) philanthropic

Working conditions

The Director of Development is a full-time, exempt position that will be based at LACC’s office in Pasadena. Position may be required to sit or stand for extended periods, move objects up to 25 pounds, operate office equipment, open and close filing cabinets and boxes, observe visitors, and communicate messages by email, telephone and video conferencing. In addition to a hybrid in-office/from-home schedule with regular business hours during the week, some weekend and evening hours throughout the year will be required for performances, meetings, and events. Candidates should maintain a functional home office if they are working remotely. This includes ensuring the workspace is safe, secure, and free from hazards. Necessary office equipment will be provided.

Compensation:

Salary range for this position is $115,000-$125,000, depending on experience. Compensation package includes 100% employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance and generous paid time off.

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. LACC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

MORE ABOUT LOS ANGELES CHILDREN’S CHORUS   

The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC), founded in 1986 in Pasadena, California, has grown into one of the premier youth choral organizations in the country. Created by music educator Rebecca Thompson, LACC began with the vision of providing children with rigorous vocal training and high-level performance opportunities in a supportive environment. What started as a small ensemble quickly earned a reputation for excellence in choral music.

In 1995, Anne Tomlinson became Artistic Director and led the chorus through a period of significant growth. Under her leadership, LACC expanded its ensembles and deepened its educational mission, offering training in vocal technique, sight-singing, and musicianship. Tomlinson also developed partnerships with major Southern California music organizations, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. LACC also gained international recognition through tours in Europe, Asia, South America, and North America.

The Chorus is active in commissioning and premiering new works, helping to shape the future of choral music for young voices. In 2018, Fernando Malvar-Ruiz succeeded Tomlinson as Artistic Director, bringing new energy and a strong commitment to diversity, access, and musical excellence. Today, LACC serves more than 400 singers across multiple choirs and continues to be a cultural cornerstone in Los Angeles. With its blend of rigorous training, innovative programming, and a passion for youth development, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus has become a model for children’s choirs worldwide and remains a vital part of Southern California’s artistic community.

LACC is featured in alumna Billie Eilish’s 2021 cinematic concert experience Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles on Disney+, and has appeared on John Williams’ 2017 recording, John Williams & Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Collection, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s critically-acclaimed Decca recording, A Good Understanding. The subject of four documentaries by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Freida Mock, LACC is featured in the Academy Award®-nominated Sing!, about a year in the life of the choir. LACC has performed with John Mayer on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” and been featured on PBS’s “Great Performances,” BBC Radio, and PRI’s nationally-syndicated show “From the Top.”

LACC won a GRAMMY Award in 2022 for Best Choral Performance for its performance on the LA Philharmonic’s 2021 album, Mahler Symphony No. 8, and is a recipient of Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence. LACC frequently serves as a cultural ambassador on tours that have taken the Chorus to 22+ countries on 6 continents, including performing at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall.