Chief Development Officer

The Folger Shakespeare Library (the Folger) seeks a seasoned, highly motivated, and mission-driven philanthropic leader to serve as the organization’s Chief Development Officer (CDO). This is an opportunity to partner with new Director Dr. Farah Karim-Cooper early in her tenure and support an organization with a rich history, distinguished reputation, and transformational ambitions. The Folger boasts the world's largest collection of printed works of William Shakespeare, rare materials from the early modern period, and physical and electronic resources related to the understanding and interpretation of Shakespeare and his time. It offers advanced scholarly programs, national outreach to middle and high-school students and educators, Shakespeare-inspired performances and programming, and workshops and activities for families, all of the highest quality. The Folger finds its strength and distinction in cultivating so many paths to engage with Shakespeare and the humanities. Each year, millions visit in person and virtually.

The CDO will join the Folger at an auspicious time. In 2024, the organization welcomed Dr. Karim-Cooper as its inspiring new leader and concluded a $80.5 million comprehensive capital project marked by more than 10 years of planning and four years of construction. The reimagined Folger has 12,000 square feet of new public space, two new exhibition halls, a learning lab, and collaborative research spaces, as well as accessible entrances, a café, and a new gift shop. This renovation represents an expansion of the Folger's scope and ambition: to continue to serve and support the scholars and researchers who travel to the Folger to access its rich collections, and simultaneously to increase the Folger's level of engagement with the general public, the diverse communities of Washington, DC and the surrounding region, and visitors from across the nation and around the globe.

The CDO will partner closely with Dr. Karim-Cooper as a key advisor and serve as the lead fundraising officer of the Folger. With a goal of raising $4 million to $5 million in annual support, the CDO will provide fully integrated leadership and direction in increasing individual and institutional philanthropic resources, high impact partnerships, awareness, and powerful connections with both the Folger’s existing constituents and its emerging audiences. The CDO will work closely with the Director and the full senior leadership team to create a fundraising strategy in alignment with the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the organization. As a highly visible and ambitious external leader, the CDO will identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects while providing internal organizational leadership and effective management for the development team. As a member of the Folger’s senior leadership team, the CDO will collaborate with and contribute to the operational and financial stewardship of the organization and the production of high impact programming across its pillars of content creation.

Jack Gorman is leading this search with Grace Zakim and Sandeep Kaur.