ADVANCEMENT DIRECTOR

Our Mission

At Saint Mary Magdalen School, we are dedicated to being PASSIONATELY CATHOLIC and committed to creating a path to ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE for our students. Guided by the teachings of the Gospel and serving as a vital ministry of our PARISH COMMUNITY, we promote an engaging and nurturing environment in which to advance the full potential of each child, integrate our Catholic faith values and virtues, and nourish a STRONG MORAL FOUNDATION for a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ.

Job Description and Responsibilities

Structure

• Reports to the President
• Works with the Pastor and parish office on all Parish related matters
• Works with the Board of Limited Jurisdiction by recruiting and interviewing members, creating the agenda, sending out meeting reminders, facilitating the meetings, and following up on action items.
• Partner with the Pastor and Development Committee of the Board to plan, execute, and track the success of the school’s Annual Fund, capital campaigns, and other parish giving campaigns.
• Identify potential individual and corporate donors to solicit.
• Provide donor stewardship by tracking, acknowledging, and publicizing donations (e.g., annual report).
• Plan events such as alumni reunions, lead gift receptions, etc.
• Identify and apply for grants and follow up with necessary documentation to the foundation per the grant guidelines.
• Market the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Credit Program (EITC) to local businesses, vendors, parishioners, parents, and other potential donors.
• Develop a program for gifts of estates, trusts, and other various financial venues that reflect financial planning and deferred giving opportunities.
• Work closely with other school fundraising groups (e.g., Home and School Association, CYO) to ensure support and avoid overlapping fundraising efforts, dates, and donors.
• Plan additional events to engage constituents (e.g., alumni reunion, lead gift reception, grandparents day, etc.).
• Recruit and engage volunteers, including parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, students, etc.
• Coordinate volunteer efforts for open houses, advancement events, advancement committees, student and/or parent ambassador programs, school advisory boards, etc.
• Support the Home and School Association efforts by volunteering and/or attending events.
• Create and maintain a database of individuals, alumni, businesses, foundations, and prospective families.
• Carefully plan and maintain a budget for advancement operations.
• 3-5 years of relevant development experience within a professional advancement office is required*.
• A Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or business management is preferred.
• History of creating and running successful annual fundraising campaigns
• Have a knowledge of and respect for the Catholic faith and Catholic elementary schools, in particular.
• Team building skills and experience with volunteer management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with computers, especially Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher), website content management, and database management.
• Capable of working independently and with a team.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and follow-up skills.
• The ability to travel locally is required.
• Occasional evening and weekend work will be needed.
• Successful completion of Archdiocesan Safe Environment Class
• Completion of current required background checks, including fingerprints.

Development

• Partner with the Pastor and Development Committee of the Board to plan, execute, and track the success of the school’s Annual Fund, capital campaigns, and other parish giving campaigns.
• Identify potential individual and corporate donors to solicit.
• Provide donor stewardship by tracking, acknowledging, and publicizing donations (e.g., annual report).
• Plan events such as alumni reunions, lead gift receptions, etc.
• Identify and apply for grants and follow up with necessary documentation to the foundation per the grant guidelines.
• Market the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Credit Program (EITC) to local businesses, vendors, parishioners, parents, and other potential donors.
• Develop a program for gifts of estates, trusts, and other various financial venues that reflect financial planning and deferred giving opportunities.
• Work closely with other school fundraising groups (e.g., Home and School Association, CYO) to ensure support and avoid overlapping fundraising efforts, dates, and donors.

Constituent Relations and Events

●     Coordinate efforts supporting the school’s bi-annual Gala event and auction.

• Plan additional events to engage constituents (e.g., alumni reunion, lead gift reception, grandparents day, etc.).
• Recruit and engage volunteers, including parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, students, etc.
• Coordinate volunteer efforts for open houses, advancement events, advancement committees, student and/or parent ambassador programs, school advisory boards, etc.
• Support the Home and School Association efforts by volunteering and/or attending events.

Operations

• Create and maintain a database of individuals, alumni, businesses, foundations, and prospective families.
• Carefully plan and maintain a budget for advancement operations.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant development experience within a professional advancement office is required*.
• A Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or business management is preferred.
• History of creating and running successful annual fundraising campaigns
• Have a knowledge of and respect for the Catholic faith and Catholic elementary schools, in particular.
• Team building skills and experience with volunteer management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interact with people at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with computers, especially Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher), website content management, and database management.
• Capable of working independently and with a team.
• Excellent organizational, time-management, and follow-up skills.
• The ability to travel locally is required.
• Occasional evening and weekend work will be needed.
• Successful completion of Archdiocesan Safe Environment Class
• Completion of current required background checks, including fingerprints.

*Applications without 3-5 years of experience within a professional advancement office will not be considered.