Development Director

*Director of Development* Foothills Community Christian School (FCCS,) is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as the Director of Development and lead its fund development and philanthropy efforts to the next level.
The Director of Development is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and reports to the Head of School.
This position leads the development and execution of the school’s fundraising efforts including donor cultivation, annual fund, capital campaigns, major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, individual giving, public funds, special fundraising events, and legacy giving.
Reporting to the Director will include an Administrative Assistant.
The Director supervises the Assistant and works extensively with volunteers and consultants as needed.
The Director, in conjunction with the Assistant and Head of School, will develop marketing and communication materials that promote the values and mission of FCCS and keep donors and other friends of the school regularly informed of school updates, needs, and successes.
He/she will establish strong relationships with the faculty, staff, governing board, volunteers, donors, and the general community.
*ABOUT FCCS* Foothills Community Christian School was formed by an initial group of parents from within the Great Falls community in 1996.
An interim board was appointed and began drafting the Mission Statement.
The Mission Statement was presented to the entire parent group, was voted on, and was passed in August of 1996.
The constituency accepted the Statement of Faith in September of 1996.
Subsequently, the bylaws were developed by the interim board and adopted by all the parents in December of 1996.
With this foundation, the school opened its doors to students in the fall of 1997 offering Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade classes.
In 2000, the decision was made by the School Board to add a high school program.
One grade was added each year growing to a full 9th-12th grade program by 2004.
We are now blessed to serve more than 200 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade.
We are non-denominational, and our annual enrollment represents more than 30 local churches.
*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES* The essential responsibilities for the Director of Development will be, although not limited to, the following functions: *PLANNING* · Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan with strategies for donors and prospects in each constituent group including current families, grandparents, alumni, community groups, and corporations.
· Collaborate regularly with Head of School and Board members to ensure a clear and accurate interpretation of the school’s fundraising vision and direction.
· Collaborate with Head of School to establish fund development goals and performance measures, monitor and evaluate results.
· Keep up to date on current fundraising programs, practices, and procedures used in the nonprofit sector.
*FUNDRAISING* · Develop and execute the fundraising efforts including donor cultivation, annual fund, capital campaigns, major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, individual giving, public funds, special fundraising events, and legacy giving.
· Develop case to support capital campaign using personal interviews, phone conversations, and electronic surveys to gauge level of support for campaign effort.
· Validate and recommend campaign goals with detailed analysis of likely gift ranges, number of gifts and campaign calendar.
· Provide strategies for identifying, selecting, and recruiting campaign leadership including campaign chair (or co-chairs,) and steering committee.
· Develop campaign procedures and strategies (including fundraising events) to ensure the school is successful in its campaign.
· Execute communication plan and calendar of events.
· Produce campaign status reports for Board of Directors and Head of School.
*GRANT REQUESTS AND ADMINISTRATION* · Research grant and other fundraising opportunities aligned with the school’s vision, values, goals, and priorities and produce materials in a high-quality manner.
· Establish and maintain productive relationships with local foundations.
· Coordinate and lead site visits foundation leaders to the school, providing inspiring representation of FCCS.
· Produce monthly grant status reports for Board of Directors and Head of School.
*DONOR DEVELOPMENT AND GIFT CULTIVATION* · Build and maintain relationships with donors of all type, develop strategies for solicitation, and coordinate the solicitation by other staff, Board, or volunteers, as appropriate.
· Establish and maintain productive relationships with individuals, families and businesses ensuring that Lexington Christian is attracting, retaining, and motivating donors and fundraising volunteers.
· Coordinate and lead site visits of individuals, families, and businesses to the school, providing inspiring representation of FCCS.
· Assist Board members, leadership team, and other volunteers as necessary to identify, cultivate and solicit charitable gifts.
· Ensure all gifts and visits are appropriately acknowledged and entered into the database.
· Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintain accountability standards to donors, and ensure compliance with code of ethical principles and standards for fundraising.
*ALUMNI AFFAIRS* · Develop, direct, and facilitate a program to assist in the student-to-alumnus transition process, incorporating new and existing traditions as tools for further engagement as they become alumni.
· Identify, plan, and implement outreach programs, events and communication efforts that support alumni related strategic initiatives.
· Identify and develop future alumni/alumni and parent volunteer ambassadors who will help achieve fundraising and participation goals.
· Develop a plan with measured short- and long-term outcomes to increase funding to the Annual Fund.
· Educate students about the ways in which they benefit from alumni giving & volunteerism.
· Foster positive relationships between alumni and students.
Regularly communicates with alumni in the database via various mediums, including in person and virtual meetings.
· Design, manage, and evaluate all aspects of the alumni engagement activities.
This includes print and electronic communications, volunteer identification and management, student interaction and specialized solicitations through programs and departments across the school system.
*MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION* · In conjunction with the Constituent Relations team, create marketing pieces, with consistent branding and messaging, to promote school for fundraising and community outreach purposes (e.
g.
, school profile, brochures, press releases, visitor packet, donor/volunteer interest cards, etc.
).
· Develop and implement all aspects of direct donor mailings, appeal letters, and other donor mailings, as needed.
· Collaborate to ensure social media reflects school needs, as well as gratitude for our volunteers and donors.
· Lead the publishing of an organizational annual report at the end of each fiscal year.
· Acknowledge all gifts and donations.
*EVENTS* · Direct, manage or oversee all fundraising events.
· Work with appropriate staff and volunteers to ensure that all aspects of a successful event are coordinated towards a common goal.
· Develop and solicit sponsors for programs and events as needed.
*LEADERSHIP* · Manage the day-to-day operations of the Development Department.
· Lead long- and short-term Development Department planning, including budgeting, and revenue projections.
· Provide monthly development reports for board, admin team review and planning.
· Effectively supervise, manage, and coach staff building a strong and effective team.
· Model professionalism, hard work, and high ethical standards.
· Actively participate as a member of the admin team.
· Participate in community outreach, fellowship and continued Christian growth.
*POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES & MEASURES OF SUCCESS* · Manage a prospect portfolio of 30 – 60 prospects rated at $5,000 to $50,000.
· Raise $500,000 dollars per year, including 10-15 gifts at $25,000 and above.
· Open 20-25 new proposals at the $10,000 level per year · Conduct 80-100 face-to-face visits per year.
· Travel five to seven days per month making three to five visits per travel day.
· Perform related administrative duties for the assigned area including writing contact reports, budget management, case statement development, and events development.
*SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES* · Directly recruits and supervises staff in the Development Department.
*DATA MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING* · Ensure Development Team maintains comprehensive prospect and donor records, including information from special events and in-kind donations, through donor database.
· Collaborate with Head of School to manage fund accounting and budget of restricted funds.
· Ensure Development Team tracks pledge payments and mailing of payment reminders to donors.
· Produce all donor reports, including any annual reports for grants and reports for receipt of public funds.
*QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION* · Bachelor's Degree · Master's Degree (preferred) *REQUIRED EXPERIENCE* · At least five (5) years of fund development experience · Knowledge of the non-profit and private Christian education sector desired *SKILLS/ABILITIES* · Excellent judgment and decision-making skills.
· Outstanding organizational skills, planning, professionalism, and attention to detail.
· Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, across a wide variety of stakeholders.
Proven ability to self-direct and prioritize among competing goals.
· Able to initiate process improvements, using data to identify and solve problems.
· Ability to work well under pressure.
· Proven ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
· Demonstrated ability to work well with others and build relationships with colleagues and external constituents, including major donors, community leaders, and members of the Board of Directors.
· Ability to motivate, excite, and educate both internal and external resources.
· Ability to inspire faculty and staff to be effective resources in fundraising endeavors.
· Exceptional leadership and flexibility.
· Proven ability to model the values and expectations of FCCS.
· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and database software.
Job Type: Full-time Pay: $50,000.
00 - $55,000.
00 per year Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Paid time off Schedule: * Day shift * Monday to Friday * Weekends as needed Ability to commute/relocate: * Great Falls, MT 59401: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required) Experience: * Marketing: 2 years (Preferred) * Ministry: 3 years (Preferred) * Christian Education: 3 years (Preferred) * Fundraising: 5 years (Required) Work Location: In person