Life in the Development Department
The Development Department has three goals—to raise money for the Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera and their programs; build a donor community by providing experiences second-to-none; and to have fun while doing it.
The Development Department oversees all individual, corporate, foundation, and government giving to the Kennedy Center, National Symphony Orchestra, and Washington National Opera. A donor-centric and data-driven department, we work in a highly matrixed fashion to connect donors with opportunities that excite them and encourage philanthropic giving. In addition to frontline fundraisers and gift officers, the department contains several other teams: Special Events, Volunteers, Development Systems, Donor Services, Campaign Strategy and Research, and Donor Communications. Together, these divisions are responsible for raising nearly $80,000,000 in annual support, plus funding for special campaigns.
Team Mission
The Development Department works together to encourage philanthropic giving to the Center by providing donors with meaningful ways to support the performing arts. In doing so we create lifelong connections between our donors and the Center, and legacy of President Kennedy. We value active collaboration, new perspectives, respectful questioning, and innovation to foster an environment that uplifts art, inspires donors, and helps us thrive both as a team and as individuals.