Director of Development

Apply: https://ineffablefilms.org/volunteer-app

About Ineffable Films

Ineffable Films is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 93-4083316) that gives young BIPOC and diaspora filmmakers (ages 14 to 24) the access, mentorship, and resources to get their films onto festival screens, free of charge. We cover what stops most young filmmakers: post-production support, submission fees, travel, and lodging. Our name means "incapable of being expressed in words," and that's exactly the kind of stories we champion. Website: https://ineffablefilms.org

Role Description:As Director of Development, you will build and lead Ineffable Films' fundraising engine during a pivotal growth year. This is not a maintenance role. It's a chance to shape the development function of a young, fast-growing organization with real momentum and a clear $100K annual goal. You will work directly with the founder and report to organizational leadership.What You'll Do

• Design and execute a fundraising strategy to meet the $100K annual goal, including individual giving, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and crowdfunding campaigns
• Identify, cultivate, and steward donor and funder relationships, from first-time individual donors to foundations and mission-aligned brands
• Research and write grant proposals, with a focus on arts, youth development, cultural equity, and creative workforce funding
• Build a donor pipeline and CRM system to track prospects, giving history, and engagement
• Create fundraising campaign calendars, donor materials, and case-for-support documents in collaboration with the communications team
• Develop partnerships with entertainment companies, airlines, hotels, and cultural institutions that can provide in-kind or financial support for festival travel and programming
• Track fundraising metrics, prepare budget reports, and maintain financial transparency
• Collaborate with program leads to translate impact data (festival acceptances, filmmaker outcomes, community reach) into compelling donor narratives

Who You Are

• You have experience in nonprofit fundraising: grant writing, individual giving, corporate sponsorships, or some combination
• You understand how to build a case for support and turn impact data into a donor story
• You're comfortable with CRM tools, spreadsheets, and building systems from scratch
• You can work independently, manage your own deadlines, and communicate proactively in a remote, all-volunteer environment
• You have strong writing skills: clear, persuasive, and human (not robotic)
• Experience in the arts, film, youth development, or cultural equity sectors is a plus, but passion for the mission matters more
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, communications, or a related field

Details

• Type: Volunteer (unpaid), remote
• Commitment: ~10 to 15 hours/week (flexible)
• Reports to: Founder / Executive Director
• Location: Remote (team spans East Coast, West Coast, and international)

We operate across Boston, San Diego, and Los Angeles with a 40-person global volunteer team spanning six U.S. states and five countries. Our work spans arts and culture, education, community improvement, and international relations.

Our Programs:

Core Programs

• Festival Ready: Our flagship program supports emerging filmmakers through every stage of the film festival journey, from evaluating films for artistry and readiness, to funding submission fees, travel, lodging, and promotional support so filmmakers can attend their screenings.
• Mentors: We connect industry professionals and experienced Hollywood filmmakers with young creatives to provide direct feedback, strengthen their films, and prepare them for festival submissions.
• Open Hours: An online portal where young filmmakers can request hands-on support with their scripts and films, plus pop-up live Q&A sessions with industry professionals.

Education & Exposure

• Film School Tours: We organize visits to film schools for local high school students, giving young people early exposure to what a career in filmmaking looks like.
• Global Lens Film Series: A content series highlighting contributions to cinematic language by different cultures and communities around the world, created by filmmaking volunteers who collaborate on educational content.

Experiences & Challenges

• Mission: Ineffable: A college internship where students help curate film screenings in unconventional, boundary-pushing ways.
• East Coast vs. West Coast Film Challenge: A biannual filmmaking competition where participants on both coasts collaborate and create a short film over one month, then films are judged against the opposing coast.

In Development

• Treasure Map: A resource-access app connecting young filmmakers to city-based hubs of free equipment rentals, filming locations, venues, and remote editing access.
• PolyNation: A program that will send youth back to the continents they or their ancestors are from to create films about their experiences.

We partner with institutions including ICA Boston, Artists for Humanity, Cambridge CommunityTelevision, Emerson College, Minuteman High School, and Roxbury International Film Festival.Our Impact (First 2 Years): 60 filmmakers engaged · 19 festival submissions funded · 10 festival acceptances · 700 people reached across screenings and panels.2026 Goal: $100,000 to send 50 young filmmakers to festivals across the country, with targets of 200 festival submissions funded, 25 acceptances, and 5,000 people reached.Learn more: https://ineffablefilms.org Candid Profile: https://app.candid.org/profile/15521313