AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

from LA Culture Net

Dancing Classrooms Los Angeles | Los Angeles, California

Background
Dancing Classrooms Los Angeles (DCLA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote positive youth development, strengthen and engage schools, and bring diverse communities together through the practice of social dance. Through a ten-week classroom-based curriculum, fifth-grade students learn six ballroom dances and, in the process, build confidence and self-esteem, break down social barriers, eliminate bias, and learn to respect others who are different from them. Each school is invited to host a culminating event, as well as to participate in an inter-school Colors of the Rainbow team match event, which is held three times a year, and which serves as a qualifying round for the annual Grand Finals event.
DCLA celebrated its official launch in the fall of 2011 and takes great pride in its ability to build community across the diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles County. Through the practice of social dance, we help create a common and shared joy across differences and strengthen our ties to each other. We honor and respect each other. We work together as a team. We celebrate diversity. We transform lives, one step at a time.
DCLA currently works with schools in four school districts, including Beverly Hills Unified School District, Compton Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, and has reached more than 7500 students at approximately 60 elementary schools since its 2011 launch.

Job Summary
The Executive Director reports directly to, and works closely with, the Board of Directors in all aspects of the organization’s development, fundraising, marketing, finance, program, and organizational development. The Executive Director’s primary objectives are to: (1) implement the strategic goals and objectives of the organization with the Board of Directors, (2) enable the Board of Directors to fulfill its governance function, and (3) provide direction and leadership toward the achievement of the organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, and annual goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

Development
• Lead hands-on development and fundraising efforts for DCLA.
• Create, cultivate and grow relationships with new and prospective Board members, donors, as well as corporate, nonprofit, and governmental partners to promote the mission of DCLA and drive fundraising initiatives.
• Ensure organization's financial stability and sustainability by maintaining healthy cash flow and adequate reserves.
• Create and oversee (a) a strategic grant-writing program, including grants administration, preparing for site visits, monitoring expenditures, and implementing survey and evaluation components, and (b) a comprehensive fundraising plan to increase giving from individual donors.

Strategic Planning
• Refine the focus of DCLA’s mission to articulate value to target audiences and shape strategies for the next level of growth and impact.
• Take a leadership role in driving a collaborative process with the Board of Directors and staff that would result in the development of strategic plans and 12-month operational plan and budget.
• Develop, quantify and measure key metrics and participate in the analysis of evaluation data to track progress against short and long term objectives.

Leadership
• Serve as a civic leader and represent DCLA in local and national organizations in fields of arts, education, and social justice, and serve as DCLA’s primary delegate and advocate.
• Manage all day-to-day operations of DCLA including administrative, programmatic, development, human resource, financial and planning functions.
• Supervise, review, and promote the strategic vision to grow DCLA.
• Provide oversight of annual audit and 990 tax return.
• Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of DCLA activities.
• Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board of Directors as appropriate.
• Direct and implement appropriate financial and legal compliance, reporting and auditing activities to ensure the financial integrity and viability of the organization.

Programming
• Solidify service delivery within current service area and expand DCLA’s services under strategic plan.
• Define and deliver tangible outcomes for current programming initiatives.
• Oversee contract implementation and compliance with various school, district, city, and county contracts.

Compensation
Exempt, professional management position, employed on an “at-will” basis. Salary commensurate with experience and education.

How to Apply
Applicants should send a resume, a cover letter, and three (3) professional references to: edsearch@dancingclassroomsla. org mailto:edsearch@dancingclassroomsla.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Dancing Classrooms Los Angeles
(https://www. dancingclassroomsla.org/ https://www.dancingclassroomsla.org/ )