Join Our Board
Board members serve for 3 year terms, agree to commit 8-10 hours a month to Dakshina, attend Dakshina’s performances in the community, give/get donations and sponsorships, and serve as an advocate for our
work in promoting dance. Help us make a difference through the arts. Email us today at info@dakshina.org to get started. Currently Dakshina is seeking Board Members and volunteers who have experience in the following areas: Fundraising, Corporate Relations, South Asian Community Liaison, LGBT Community Liaison, Non-Profit Law,
South Asian and LGBT Community Liaisons
Community Liaisons will promote Dakshina through outreach, events and online marketing through social networking sites such as Facebook. They track and identify trends in the (South Asian or LGBT) community and ensure that Dakshina is strongly represented in community gatherings. The primary goal of the liaisons is to create a strong audience and donor base for Dakshina. To this end, liaisons will be responsible for creating ongoing social events such as happy hours, open rehearsals, gala dinners, and similar networking events. In addition, liaisons will be attend DC Government, Ward, and Council meetings to represent Dakshina’s interests. Finally, the liaison will serve as a volunteer team director, identifying and recruiting prospective volunteers and managing them in Dakshina’s many ongoing projects.
An ideal candidate will have a broad inter-generational, and diverse community network, and be willing to share those connections in supporting Dakshina’s Mission to promote dance in the DC area. You should have a genuine interest in meeting people and building relationships in the communities where you will be serving.
Fundraising and Corporate Relations Positions
The committee works actively throughout the year producing several successful fundraising and networking events. The primary responsibility is to identify and develop relationships with major corporate and individual donors and grant-making foundations. We have specific events geared towards donor cultivation and we also use our major performance events to develop these relationships. Less than 20% of our operating budget comes from ticket sales and the rest is generated by the fundraising committee. Here are the key areas of expertise we need in these positions.
Research, Identification and Maintenance of Potential Funding Opportunities
- Research and identify potential grant opportunities
- Research corporate and major donor prospects
- Manage and update donor database
- Draft grant reports
- Compile and send out funding opportunities e-newsletter to local community groups
Implementation of Fundraising Strategies
- Write, produce, and acknowledge donor appeals
- Develop letters of inquiry and funding proposals
- Organize local fundraising activities
- Develop and implement strategy to increase Dakshina’s base of individual donors
- Recruit and maintain new Dakshina donors
Develop and Implement Communications Strategies
- Work with Dakshina staff to develop ongoing newsletters
- Develop content for website and listserv communications
- Coordinate mailing of newsletters to members, funders, and potential donors
Artist Relations and Event Planning Position
The director is responsible for event planning and will work closely with the artistic director in designing, managing and supporting our major performances in the DC area and our international tours. The director will have exposure to the primary elements of artistic programming and artist relations at major performing arts centers. Responsibilities include: networking, fundraising, audience development, contract coordination, supernumerary coordination, artist hospitality, special performance event management, and logistics. Specifically, the director will be responsible for understanding the challenges of international producing and presenting and will assist with company management and providing support for the programmatic planning and preparations of upcoming international festivals. Knowledge of South Asian customs and language is helpful but not a requirement. A key element of this position is to identify donors who will support our festivals and our guest artists and to develop a network that will broaden our audience base. The position will bring you in close contact with high profile artists from around the world and give you an exclusive insight into working with luminaries in the dance field.