Director Of Advancement

Position: Director of Advancement

Hours: Full-time, 40 Hours/Week

Salary Range: $90,000 to $125,000 + benefits

Reports To: Executive Director

APPLY: Email Resume and Cover Letter to Liza Davis (View email address on click.appcast.io)

Position Overview

The Director of Advancement (DOA) is a member of the MCM leadership team and is tasked with facilitating and managing fundraising activities that support contributed income goals. The DOA is a key partner in annual and strategic planning for earned and contributed revenue, communications, and the continued growth of the overall organization in collaboration with the Executive Director (ED), Board of Directors, and leadership staff. To achieve this, the DOA leads a comprehensive resource development program that generates individual, corporate, foundation, and government philanthropic support and personally cultivates and stewards relationships with funders and donors. The DOA, in partnership with the ED and leadership staff, also provides leadership for the communications function that heightens awareness of MCM and its various programs, engages donors and funders, creates compelling communications and marketing tools, and attracts teacher candidates for its authentic Montessori training programs and students for its early childhood program. The DOA supervises MCM’s Development Manager and Communications Manager and all efforts related to the administration of the Advancement Department, including prospect research, database management, and event support, and oversees the process of completing external communications that share all facets of MCM and its programming. The DOA supervises staff who are responsible for social media communications, developing communications content, prospect research, database management, grant writing, and event support. 

Primary Responsibilities

Contributed Fund Development 

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Director of Operations to develop and implement the organization’s financial strategy
• Educate and encourage leadership and staff to participate in fundraising activities and communications to create a fundraising-forward culture of philanthropy across all programming and operations; Maintain cooperative working relationships and strategy building with program staff and leadership
• Develop and implement annual fundraising plans that balance a ratio of unrestricted and restricted funds tailored to meet MCM’s budget; and cultivate strategies needed for increasing philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other local and national entities
• Manage and multiply a portfolio of major individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects in partnership with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors
• Oversee and facilitate, while working in partnership with ED and leadership staff, MCM’s annual fundraising event, the Cornerstone Montessori School scholarship drive, and other donor-focused events, including San Lorenzo Montessori Society donor events
• Support the growth and capacity of all positions within the Advancement Department–including the Development Manager and Communications Manager– by providi ng direction and guidance 
• Manage stewardship of all fundraising campaigns
• Partner with staff to identify and write appropriate proposals for all funders based on their guidelines and fit with MCM priorities; ensure all proposal submissions and reporting deadlines are met
• Conduct prospect research to develop a pipeline of potential funders to cultivate for the future and maintain and enhance current systems to support the fundraising operation
• Work collaboratively with other key staff to maintain a working knowledge of program objectives and to identify and solicit potential funding opportunities
• Educate and encourage leadership and staff to participate in fundraising activities and communications to create a fundraising-forward culture throughout all programming and operations
• Establish and implement a plan for effective and timely donor acknowledgment and appreciation

Board of Director/Board Committee Support

• Support the MCM Board of Directors and Advancement Committee to ensure their understanding of and engagement in effective donor cultivation and solicitation 
• Attend all board meetings, collaborating with Executive Director and Director of Operations regarding materials and flow of agenda items
• Work with Advancement Committee members and other board members to identify key skills and areas to contribute to fundraising efforts.
• With the Executive Director, meet with board members to identify annual personal contributions and to identify strategies to engage personal and professional networks
• Encourage board members to participate in MCM’s mission through event attendance and personal contributions

Earned Revenue Development

• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop and implement annual strategies to attract candidates for MCM’s programs, including training courses, workshops, and families for Cornerstone Montessori School
• Collaborating with Director of Operations, Trainers, Director of Course Administration and Enrollment, and Head of School, we will build upon current recruitment systems and procedures to increase efficiency, production, and financial yield 
• Work with MCM Executive Director and Director of Operations to set fundraising and communications budgets and to understand the fiscal year budget, specifically the effect of earned revenue on the bottom line 
• With Executive Director and Director of Operations, develop strategies and determine expenditures necessary to achieve higher levels of earned revenue and, where possible, secure resources to fund those opportunities

Communications, Marketing, and Promotions

• Skillfully craft compelling narratives about the children, families, and staff we support, providing inspiration and driving donor engagement and support
• Work in partnership with Executive Director, Director of Operations, Communications Manager, and program leaders to create and implement communications and marketing strategies and materials to expand awareness of MCM and its programs
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Director of Operations, Development Manager, Communications Manager, and other members of the MCM team in a process from creation to completion that ensures consistency and continuity of the MCM brand and the representation of Montessori pedagogy across all of MCM’s messaging and communications

• Connector with strong relationship-building skills
• Commitment to mission
• Creative problem solver
• Curious learner 
• Sense of humor 
• Strong work ethic, with ability to work efficiently under pressure, meet deadlines and model highly personal, ethical, and professional standards
• Marketing or Public Relations experience
• Experience working in a school/educational or other small nonprofit setting

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s Degree or possess demonstrably equivalent knowledge gained through work experience and/or alternative courses of study, including professional development. 
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working in fundraising for a non-profit organization; Able to provide examples of successes
• Experience coordinating or contributing to communications for a non-profit organization
• Must have an interest in the education sector; understanding of Montessori is preferred 
• A desire to uplift diverse groups of people and communities who are often under-resourced; A deep commitment to the ongoing exploration and understanding of the cultures within and around diverse groups of people and communities
• Demonstrated success in securing annual and major gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations
• Demonstrated success in working as a member of a team and developing effective working relationships with staff, volunteers and donors
• Skilled in conflict management and capacity to navigate brave conversations
• Possess the ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours 
• Excellent written/oral communication skills
• Proficient computer skills using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; familiar with internet; competency with electronic donor tracking systems