Summary
Description
MINISTRY SUMMARY
The Dream Center was founded in 1994 by Pastor Tommy Barnett and his son, Pastor
Matthew Barnett, later joined in leadership by Pastor Caroline Barnett. What began as a small
outreach to a struggling Los Angeles neighborhood has grown into a global movement of
compassion and transformation.
For more than 30 years, the Dream Center has been a faith-based charitable organization
committed to “finding and filling the needs” of individuals and families facing poverty,
homelessness, addiction, abuse, and human trafficking. Every day, lives are restored through
innovative residential programs, community outreach, education, workforce development, and
leadership training.
The Dream Center’s mission is simple yet profound: to connect broken people to a community
of support by offering free resources and services that meet immediate needs while also
addressing long-term restoration. Rooted in the vision of its founders, the Dream Center
continues to be a lighthouse of hope for Los Angeles and a model replicated by churches and
nonprofits across the nation and the world.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Chief Development & Communications Officer (CDCO) is a senior executive responsible
for leading and integrating all aspects of fundraising, marketing, communications, and donor
relations for the Dream Center Los Angeles. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer,
the CDCO will design and execute comprehensive strategies that significantly increase
philanthropic revenue, expand the Dream Center’s visibility, and strengthen relationships with
donors, partners, and the broader community.
The ideal candidate is a visionary fundraiser and communicator with proven experience in
major gift cultivation, brand development, digital strategy, and community engagement at a
large, complex nonprofit. This highly visible leadership role requires exceptional creativity,
strategic agility, and deep commitment to advancing the Dream Center’s mission of “finding a
need and filling it, finding a hurt and healing it.”
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising & Development
• Lead all philanthropic initiatives, ensuring growth across diverse revenue streams:
individual donors, foundations, corporations, government, and churches.
• Drive major and legacy giving, including cultivation of high-net-worth individuals,
planned giving programs, and the development of an organizational endowment.
• Direct foundation and government grant writing, submission, and reporting processes.
• Provide strategic leadership for signature fundraising events, ensuring alignment with
organizational goals and donor engagement strategies.
• Oversee facility tours and donor experiences, ensuring they inspire generosity and
deepen long-term commitment to the Dream Center.
Marketing, Communications & Media
• Develop and implement an integrated communications and marketing strategy that
elevates the Dream Center’s visibility and strengthens its brand nationally.
• Oversee media, video, and graphic design functions to produce compelling content that
communicates impact.
• Lead digital engagement strategy, including social media, website, and email
campaigns, ensuring consistent storytelling and donor engagement.
• Oversee all organizational fundraising related events, publications, and communications
to ensure excellence, consistency, and alignment with the Dream Center’s mission and
brand.
• Serve as the primary architect for the Dream Center’s narrative, producing
communications that inspire, inform, and mobilize donors, partners, and the public.
Partnership Development
• Cultivate and expand relationships with churches, corporations, and civic partners,
building broad coalitions of support.
• Represent the Dream Center in the community and in government relations, advocating
for the organization’s mission and securing collaborative partnerships.
• Engage the Board of Directors and Development Committee in fundraising and
communications strategies, leveraging their networks and expertise.
Leadership & Management
• Build and lead a high-performing Development and Communications team, currently
comprised of 10–12 staff members across fundraising, communications, marketing, and
media.
• Establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability systems to ensure the success of all
development and communications initiatives.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to staff, fostering a culture
of growth, excellence, and alignment with the Dream Center’s mission.
• Foster a collaborative culture of innovation, excellence, and faith-driven service.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management,
Communications, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.
Experience:
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in fundraising, communications, or
marketing at a large nonprofit organization.
• Proven track record in major donor cultivation, capital campaigns, foundation and
government grant funding, and event-based fundraising.
• Demonstrated success in marketing and communications leadership, including digital
and social media strategy.
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and vendors (graphic design, video, PR).
• Strong network in corporate, foundation, and/or faith-based communities is highly
desirable.
Skills & Competencies:
• Exceptional ability to inspire generosity and build lasting donor relationships.
• Expertise in fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and legacy/endowment
development.
• Strong communication, storytelling, and public speaking skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Experience leveraging social media, marketing, and media production for nonprofit
growth.
• A servant leader with humility, integrity, and passion for the Dream Center’s mission.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary range: $150,000 – $175,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Benefits
include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, professional development
opportunities, and support resources aligned with faith-based values.
This is a full-time position based at the Dream Center headquarters in Los Angeles, CA.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send all applications, emails, and inquiries to Liana Garcia at
hr@dreamcenter.org or 213-273-7018.
Required Materials
1. Cover Letter — Describe your interest in the role, your alignment with the Dream
Center’s mission, and your experience in people & culture leadership. Please also share
how your personal faith and servant-leadership philosophy align with the Dream Center.
2. Resume / CV — Detail your professional experience, education, and relevant
accomplishments.
Optional but Strongly Encouraged Materials
• Writing / Communications Sample – One to two examples (e.g., donor appeal, press
release, impact report excerpt, social media campaign, or grant narrative) that
demonstrate fundraising and communication skills.
• Fundraising Portfolio or Summary – Brief highlights of fundraising results (e.g., major
gifts secured, campaign leadership, grant successes, event revenue, or other
measurable outcomes) that demonstrate a proven track record.
