Advancement and Donor Relations Specialist

About Saint Andrew’s School:
Saint Andrew's School is an independent, co-educational school for grades PK-12, Saint Andrew's is both a day school and a boarding school, educating students from across the United States and throughout the world. As a college preparatory school in the Episcopal tradition, Saint Andrew's welcomes students of all faiths, customs, cultures, and beliefs. "Honor Above All," academic excellence and education in Mind, Body, and Spirit reflect Saint Andrew's experience. We are committed to educating the "whole child" while instilling a dedication to lifelong learning. 
 

Saint Andrew’s School seeks employees who are committed to our mission to provide educational excellence in an inclusive community, fostering lifelong learning and nurturing each individual in mind, body, and spirit in the Episcopal tradition. We encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds and experiences will help us promote an inclusive school culture. We are committed to respecting the dignity of each member of our community, and we strive to recruit a diverse and talented faculty and staff. 

Position Description:
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Advancement and Donor Relations Specialist will fully develop, implement, and manage a school-wide donor stewardship program designed to foster and nurture long-term meaningful relationships between the school and its donors. The Advancement and Donor Relations Specialist will track the status of the School’s endowed and restricted funds, and develop the stewardship program toward a proactive, comprehensive approach. In addition, the Specialist will research grant monies and write proposals as necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Prepare a yearly calendar demonstrating a clear overview of the program with set goals and deadlines, including monthly tasks and action steps with a key objective of establishing a structured, systematic stewardship program, which will outlast changes in staff and assure perpetual and mutually beneficial relationships with donors.

2. Oversee the advancement office gift acknowledgement program ensuring timely response to every gift received.  Write all gift acknowledgment letters and assume responsibility for suggesting alterations for special gifts in collaboration with Advancement Services.

3. Provide substantive reports (financial and utilization) to donors regarding the impact of their gift to fulfill obligations, foster goodwill toward Saint Andrew’s School, and maintain positive relationships with the School’s donors.

4. Develop stewardship plans for all new funds as they are created. Work with the business office to track the status of all funds and ensure fund expenditure is timely and follows the intent of the donor.

5. When appropriate, facilitate a connection between recipients of financial aid, prizes, and stipends with their respective benefactors by producing anecdotal reports, personalized letters, and events that will foster a relationship between the parties.

6. In conjunction with gift officers, write and edit grant proposals and progress reports; research corporation and foundation prospects as necessary to garner funds.  Maintain a tracking system and acknowledge all foundation and corporation giving.

7. Partner with appropriate members of the business office to conduct an audit of existing endowed funds to ensure proper paperwork is in place and stored in the donor’s RE file and to ensure proper utilization of the endowed funds by the business office.

8. Review and revision of the Annual Report and Magazines. Ensure donor recognition information is accurate. 

9. Follow best practices and maintenance in Raiser's Edge NXT, including but not limited to recording individual interactions, mass interactions, gift agreements, endowment reports, etc.

10. Manage key donor visits to the School to maximize the relationship between the donor and the School.

11. Manage the Stewardship Head of School and Board of Trustee call lists as needed

12. Oversee development of all donor recognition signage and awards, including design, production, and installation by outside vendors. 

13. Conduct accurate and timely maintenance regarding plaques.   Convert already established Excel record of campus recognition plaques into NXT.

14. Performs additional functions incidental to office activities including working occasional evening and weekend events

15. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.

• Bachelor’s degree required. 

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising or directly related transferable experience is required. Independent school fundraising experience preferred.

• Familiarity with prospect management and research preferred.

• Superior oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to write reports, correspondence, and appeals.

• Demonstrated self-motivation, problem-solving, and managerial skills.

• Must have the ability to innovate, think strategically and conceptually, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small-group situations to faculty, students, and volunteers, including Trustees.

• Ability to develop effective relationships with donors, volunteers, alumni and parent leadership volunteers, administration, faculty, staff, and other members of the School community.

• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment.

Physical Demands: Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, lift, and for the majority of the work day. May be required to lift up to 25lbs.
 

Saint Andrew’s School is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, gender, race, religion, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or familial status, pregnancy, disability or handicap, genetic information, military status, or any other protected status in accordance with the requirement of all federal, state, and local laws. 

Saint Andrew’s is a drug-free workplace. All employees must successfully maintain an acceptable Level II criminal background check.  Saint Andrew’s School may, in its discretion, modify or adjust the position to meet the school’s changing needs.