Advancement Director

Job Title: Advancement Director

School/Entity: Friends of the Intergenerational Schools

Status: Full-time, Salary, Year-Round

Reports to: CEO

SUMMARY

The Intergenerational Schools (IG’s) are an award-winning network of high quality, public, nonprofit charter schools serving over 450 students (the majority of whom are economically disadvantaged) in two distinct urban neighborhoods within the City of Cleveland. With almost 25 years of experience, the IG’s have built a legacy of academic excellence and proven success by cultivating intergenerational connections and offering Cleveland families an innovative education alternative to traditional public schools. Our educational model focuses on individualized learning, intergenerational programming, community building and serves as a catalyst to improving public education and transforming the school experience for Cleveland’s children. The IG’s are committed to achieving our mission to connect, create, and guide a multigenerational community of lifelong learners and spirited citizens as we strive for academic excellence through this unique educational model that incorporates small, multi-age classrooms, an individualized curriculum, and intentional intergenerational engagement through shared learning experiences with older adults in the community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Advancement Director reports to the CEO and is a member of the executive leadership team. The Advancement Director supervises a full-time Executive/Development Assistant and collaborates with a wide variety of stakeholders within and outside of the organization on matters related to fundraising, marketing, and communications. They are responsible for general school, board and fundraising marketing/communications and (except for student/family/staff recruitment and retention,) and fundraising including prospecting, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of support through annual and major gifts, special events, and grant writing. This person will engage with and lead Friends of the Intergenerational Schools (FIGS) volunteer board members and other volunteers and staff members, in raising public awareness and financial support for the work of the Intergenerational Schools.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Presents to the CEO, FIGS Board, and IG School Boards, an annual advancement plan (inclusive of all fundraising and marketing communications) for achieving specific goals, leads the FIGS Board – with support from the IG School Boards – in engaging in the strategies to achieve these goals, and reports on the progress of this plan each month.
• Builds donor relationships including identification, cultivation, acknowledgement, recognition and stewardship. Supports CEO and Board members in doing so by preparing and drafting emails and other correspondence, documenting progress in CRM, setting reminders and calendar invites, and following up.
• Coordination of FIGS Board members in identifying new individual, foundation, and corporate funding prospects, and engaging in fundraising activities (introductions, pitch meetings, event planning, and thanking).
• Executes Annual Fund campaigns, Special Events, Major Gift moves management preparation and follow up, grant proposals and reporting to meet or exceed annual development plan income goals.
• Leverages internal and external expertise to work with contracted providers to manage the design, content and production of all solicitation materials, including electronic and direct mail appeals, school annual reports, and model-wide brochures and newsletters.
• Identifies grant opportunities and writes, submits, and reports on all grants.
• Negotiates gifts and gift agreements.
• Creates timely and accurate responses to donor concerns, requests, and gift acknowledgements.
• Oversees the receipt, acknowledgement and tracking of all donor contributions, pledges, in-kind donations and other payments;
• Conducts donor recognition and stewardship programs
• Leads fundraising event planning and execution, including coordinating staff and volunteers, securing sponsorships, and achieving attendance and fundraising goals
• Identifies and researches prospective donors, including individuals, corporations, foundations, organizations.
• Oversee contracted services to implement marketing communications plan and strategies, including but not limited to:
• Collaborates on the design and production of the website;
• Educates and inspires internal stakeholders (staff and families) about fundraising and philanthropy
• Helps to write and distribute press releases, editorials, and updates media list.
• Serves as primary staff liaison for Friends of Intergenerational Schools Board, plans meeting agendas, prepares materials, and follow up. Oversees administrative preparation, recording and documenting minutes and materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Preferred master’s degree in nonprofit management or another related field. Requires at least a bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of five (5) years’ experience with increasing responsibility in a nonprofit fundraising environment.
• Extensive computer software experience including, but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, and PowerPoint; Canva; experience with Bloomerang and Board on Track a plus.
• Volunteer management experience required.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Evident understanding of current principles and techniques in fundraising and development
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communications, and attention to detail in all correspondence
• Ability to motivate and encourage volunteers in pursuit of common goals
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders including Principals and other school leaders
• Ability to lead through influence in the absence of direct lines of authority, regarding some marketing and communications strategies, i.e. for student and staff recruitment
• Highly organized
• Ability to handle confidential information and pro-actively address issues
• Ability to work and make decisions independently or as part of a dynamic leadership team
• Ability to set and achieve clear goals

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS

• Required to work some nights and weekends for meetings and/or events
• FIGS Board meets at least six evenings per year
• Required to attend Board retreats (usually on a Saturday morning during the summer)
• Typical Office Environment, occasional carrying of marketing materials and set up and tear down for events
• In office at The Intergenerational School on Shaker Blvd., with occasionally remote work

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS

• The salary range is $65k-$80k based on experience and education
• In addition to vacation days, our staff also receive school holidays and breaks (Including one week at Thanksgiving break, one week at spring break, and two weeks at winter break)
• IG staff receive 12 sick days with the ability to bank days for future use
• Competitive Benefits including life, short and long-term disability (paid 100% by the schools), and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution, school pays majority)

Equal Opportunity Employer Intergenerational Schools (The Schools) are equal opportunity employers. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political affiliation or beliefs, special need or disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor with regard to hiring, assignment, compensation, advancement, layoff or other terms or conditions of employment, and The Schools do not allow reprisal or retaliation for any prior civil rights activity