J.J. El-Far
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania
Summary
Visionary leader of non-profit arts and culture organizations with proven track record of success leading and growing organizations. Strong background in strategic planning, program development, fundraising, budget management, and marketing. Skilled in identifying opportunities and creating partnerships with commitment to staying informed about latest trends, technologies and best practices across the field,
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Development Operations
The Philadelphia School
05.2023 - Current
- Leading execution of advancement activities and events in coordination with the Advancement and Admin teams including the Family Fall Festival, which brought in 550+ attendees, raised 80% more and spent 60% less than the same event last year.
- Planned and executed Alumni Giving Day, basketball game and happy hour, 70+ attendees.
- Planned and executed leadership donor dinner and cultivation event
- Exceeded fundraising goal for Giving Tuesday by 20%
- Managing and stewarding a portfolio of major gift prospects and individual donor stewardship and cultivation
- Management of the advancement budget, donor database in Raiser's Edge, project management, and team administration
- Managing all institutional giving from foundations, state and city-wide programs.
- Built relationships with elected officials.
Managing Director
Philadelphia Contemporary
10.2021 - 05.2023
- Director of Advancement Oct. 2021- Jan. 2023.
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and cultivated a board of directors to guide strategy.
- Led strategy and execution of all fundraising initiatives including a capital campaign, institutional funders and major donors.
- Created and lead the "Rising Wing," PC's giving circle and support network with 100+ members in its first year.
- Produced "PC Now" annual benefit event with 150+ guests at the Fitler Club, as well as public opening party for Jean Shin's Freshwater at Cherry St. Pier with 250+ guests
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with organizations such as Drexel University and Jefferson Hospital.
- Built relationships with supporters and community.
Director of Development and Communications
Pig Iron Theater And School
12.2019 - 10.2021
- Led strategy and execution of all fundraising initiatives including individual donor cultivation with ~12K donors through annual appeals, solicitation of major gifts ($1K-25K) for student scholarships and new theatrical work, and managed calendar, applications, and reporting for wide range of institutional funders
- Launched the "Producers Circle" to close a funding gap for the upcoming production as a new way of engaging donors
- Produced annual benefit cabaret with ~600 guests, silent and live auction, headlined by Martha Graham Cracker
- Led all external communications including e-blasts, social media, website, and print and digital marketing.
Director of Strategic Development
RADIOKISMET
12.2020 - 10.2021
- Established non-profit status through a fiscal sponsor
- Leeed strategic development and fundraising through grant cultivation
- Led partnership cultivation with local cultural organizations and foundations for reciprocal support and promotion
- Wrote funding requests and grant applications to obtain additional funds for operating needs.
- Negotiated ongoing contract with the Franklin Institute for their "So Curious" podcast.
Managing Producer
ArKtype
01.2019 - 09.2019
- Management, tour booking and on-site production for a portfolio of 30+ live performances and shows by a diverse roster contemporary, world-renowned artists (John Cameron Mitchell, Josh Fox, Nora Chipaumire, 600 HIGHWAYMEN, Rude Mechs, Bryce Dessner, Kaneza Schaal) nationally (Kennedy Center; BAM; Town Hall, NYC) and internationally (Europe, UK, Australia)
- Contract negotiations; account management; finance and budgeting; tour logistics; company management; marketing, social media; artist recruitment; grant writing, project development; HR and staffing; and line producing live events.
General Manager
Theater Mitu
01.2018 - 08.2018
- Led 21-year-old company of 13 core artists and 4 admin team through a transition from an educational residency based financial model to a non-profit multi-source revenue model including Patreon page, business partnerships, and cultivation events
- Opened and managed the company's first venue in Brooklyn, including rentals to other artists
- Managed all grant applications to foundations and government funders, including successful NEA grant
- Created and led marketing strategy including digital, print, social media, and community relations.
Co-Founder
Harlem Arts Festival
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Conceived and co-founded HAF and produced year-round artistic events featuring 150+ multidisciplinary artists, including an annual public arts festival in Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem; artist salons; visual art exhibitions; and open mics in multiple venues
- Led fundraising efforts, and grew overall budget by 200% between 2012-17, by cultivating individuals and sponsors, producing fundraising events, grant writing, and a successful Kickstarter campaign
- Grew the board from 5 to 13 members in 2 years
- Devised and executed 3-year strategic business development plan with a bespoke rubric of critical success factors, metrics, and board committees
- Grew audiences ≈ 40% per year; 2017 program attendance ≈ 6,000; digital reach ≈ 15,000
- Built partnerships with local schools, businesses, and community organizations.
Arts Officer
British Council, USA
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Produced all arts programs -performances, exhibitions, panels, artist resources and conferences representing diverse portfolio of socially engaged British artists in partnership with NEA, APAP, BAM, Studio Theatre, Public Theater, Park Ave
- Armory, HowlRound, Theatre Development Fund, Theatre Communications
- Group, and Lincoln Center
- Produced a Culture and Conflict Summit at the Newseum in Washington D.C
- In partnership with the US Institute of Peace and Aspen Institute on the role of the arts in international conflict resolution
- Managed project budgets, impact measurement and reporting, maintaining contact and resource databases
- Led marketing and development strategies including digital and print media, grants, and high-level partnerships
- Led Equal Opportunity, Diversity, and Inclusion events and assessments for US team in 3 offices.
Program Administrator
Sundance Institute
08.2018 - 03.2019
- Managed 500+ online applications for Sundance’s signature theatre program, Theatre Lab, using a new online application platform, identified and fixed bugs, and trained colleagues how to use it.
- Cultivated prospective applicants and managed a cohort of 55+ reviewers as independent contractors.
Education
M.A. with Distinction in Arts Administration & Cultural Policy - Institute of Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship
GOLDSMITHS COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
01.2015
B.A. in Theatre Arts and International Global Studies -
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
01.2007
No Degree - Directing And Theatrical Production
NEW SCHOOL FOR DRAMA
Skills
- Innovation and Creativity
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Project Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Emotional Intelligence
- Non-profit Administration
- Donation Solicitation
- Volunteer Coordination
- Grant Writing
- Partnership Development
- Strategic Planning
Professional Engagements
Teaching: Creative Producing: 101 – Pig Iron ReBoot Yourself Workshops, 7 weeks; Pig Iron School/UArts MFA Devised Theatre – Seminar on fundraising creative projects; US Embassy in Cairo – 2-day producing workshops with local artists
Boards: Kaimera Productions, Vice Chair; Parent Artist Advocacy League
Consulting: The Parsnip Ship; Yonder Window Theatre, StagePunch, Musical Theatre Factory (Interim GM for 6 months); Spotify; Octopus Theatricals; Deeply Rooted Dance Theater; The Play Company; Institute for Intl. Education; Ted X Harlem
Speaking: LARK Play Development Center; Harlem Arts Alliance; Women of Color in the Arts; Golden Thread Productions; Lab for Global Politics and Performance; Arts in the One World
Grant panelist: MidAtlantic Arts Foundation, The Tank’s LIT Council, NEA Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works; NET Travel Grants; Theatre Communications Group Global Connections; Queens Arts Council
Affiliations
Creative Independent Producers Alliance (CIPA);
Theater Without Borders;
Women of Color in the Arts;
TCG Rising Leaders of Color
Timeline
Director of Development Operations
The Philadelphia School
05.2023 - Current
Managing Director
Philadelphia Contemporary
10.2021 - 05.2023
Director of Strategic Development
RADIOKISMET
12.2020 - 10.2021
Director of Development and Communications
Pig Iron Theater And School
12.2019 - 10.2021
Managing Producer
ArKtype
01.2019 - 09.2019
Program Administrator
Sundance Institute
08.2018 - 03.2019
General Manager
Theater Mitu
01.2018 - 08.2018
Co-Founder
Harlem Arts Festival
01.2016 - 01.2017
Arts Officer
British Council, USA
01.2015 - 01.2017
M.A. with Distinction in Arts Administration & Cultural Policy - Institute of Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship
GOLDSMITHS COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
B.A. in Theatre Arts and International Global Studies -
BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
No Degree - Directing And Theatrical Production
NEW SCHOOL FOR DRAMA
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