Development Director

Christian Academy

School System

Position: Development Director

Job Description

Scope

The Development Director is a lead fundraising professional for the Christian Academy School System. This position is full-time, year-round, and accountable for strategically designing and executing a personal solicitation program targeted at securing philanthropic support for the school’s mission and vision, working with the Development team.

Qualifications

The Development Director shall possess characteristics that reflect:

• A strong, clear Christian testimony with a mature, godly spirit 
• A daily example of the highest Christian virtue both in and out of school 
• A commitment to faithful attendance and support of a church whose beliefs are in agreement with the Statement of Faith
• Agreement and belief that The Bible is the final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind

The Development Director shall possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in nonprofit management, business management, or equivalent
• 2 years professional experience with nonprofit or fundraising organizations preferred 
• A minimum of five years of professional fundraising experience with demonstrated results
• Previous experience in designing and managing development programs and strategies
• Experience with developing and maintaining productive relationships with board members, donors, parents, administrators, and faculty
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Natural inclination to initiate and nurture relationships
• Grant writing and research experience
• Ability to work as a leader and as part of a team
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other donor database 
• Proven ability to ask for funds either individually or in group settings
• Proactivity, personal accountability, discernment, and the ability to collaborate effectively to accomplish department and system goals.

Responsibilities

• Create, inspire, and maintain donor interest, loyalty, enthusiasm, and engagement
• Meet annual and long-term fundraising goals for the Annual Fund, Capital Campaign, and other campaigns
• Oversee and direct fundraising activities, including annual giving, capital campaigns, special projects, and other ancillary group school-related solicitations (including PTO, athletics, fine arts, and missions)
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and close donations to the school
• Exhibit and promote a comprehensive understanding of the philanthropic priorities of the school, effectively matching the specific interests of donor prospects to the needs of the school

• Assist in the design, implementation, and management of all fundraising activities, including annual giving, endowments, capital campaigns, special projects, and other school-related solicitation
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and close major and planned gift prospects, focusing primarily on the $10,000 level and above, and with a primary focus on individuals 
• Meet annual fund development goals and metrics as developed by school leadership.  These goals include a specified number of weekly meetings with qualified donor prospects and a set number of formal solicitations, as well as dollars raised and donor participation goals
• Develop and implement a Planned Giving program, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing planned gifts

• Build and maintain ongoing positive relationships with giving prospects
• Supervise donor and gift record-keeping 
• Coordinate development research activities 
• Attend school-wide events as appropriate to meet with donors and potential donors
• Work closely with the System Development office to foster effective campus-level and system-wide development efforts
• Assist in all Development activities as needed

Outcomes

• Assure excellent stewardship of God’s resources in time, talent, and treasure
• Create new one, three and five year plans to achieve desired development/fundraising outcomes each year

• Increase gifts and donations  for established fundraising efforts, such as the Annual Fund and Capital Campaigns

• Enhance relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, and friends of the school to cultivate ongoing and new gifts

Reporting Relationship:

This position reports directly to the Director of Development.