Job Description

Chief Development Officer

This is a varied and dynamic role, as well as a critical one within the KIPP MA Leadership and Development team. The team is focused on driving and supporting strategy for the organization through revenue generation and strategic partnerships. The team ensures KIPP Massachusetts can provide current and future KIPP MA schools with the resources necessary to educate students and families in underserved communities so that they may lead fulfilling lives.

The role will include reaching key milestones of the team’s multi-layered fundraising plan, including annual and long term fundraising goals, planning for key events, and supporting specific regional strategies. As the sole member of the Development team, you will develop specific donor strategies, prepare initial prospect research and ensure effective stewardship practices, and grow our fundraising results with minimal help, demonstrating a high degree of autonomy and initiative.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Development Officer will be primarily responsible for front-line fundraising, cultivating and maintaining investor and partner relationships, identifying new KIPP MA supporters, leading the KIPP MA development strategy, and deepening relationships with established KIPP MA champions. This role requires aligning fundraising needs with the overall strategic goals of the organization to maximize impact.

This is an ideal opportunity for an individual who is passionate about education, equity and accessibility, has a relentless drive to deliver results, and who is motivated and empowered by the opportunity to serve as an external leader for KIPP MA, galvanizing diverse stakeholders in support of KIPP MA’s mission.

Responsibilities:

Donor Acquisition

• Play a critical role in the acquisition of new donors and supporters for KIPP MA’s work in Massachusetts, including identifying and researching new prospects, crafting engagement plans, and cultivating relationships
• Securing major gifts for both the Annual Fund and Campaigns
• Cultivate champions for KIPP MA and our students and families through advocacy and raising awareness around educational inequity in MA and across the US, KIPP MA, our mission, and track record of results
• Support the team in cultivation of new donors through timely follow up with visitors and other key stakeholders/prospects
• Develop positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations through closely tracking, observing and reflecting on all prospect contact and engagement

Donor Relationship Management, Engagement, and Stewardship

• Oversee annual fundraising of $1,000,000
• Plan and execute a campaign of $10,000,000
• Serve as main point of contact for investors and partners in your portfolio (top 100 donors for KIPP MA)
• Work with the Executive Director to develop and implement relationship building activities and execution on donor portfolio
• Monitor progress of annual giving fundraising program and prepare analysis and reports to development team with outcomes;
• Support the planning and execution of events and visits, including school based, board member, and philanthropic
• In coordination and partnership with Director of Communications, determine a calendar of annual appeals to reach all donors
• Execute said calendar (via direct mail, electronic mail, phone solicitations) with defined messaging and segmentation strategies for each
• Own all in person tours with current and prospective donors (including foundation leaders) and include key stakeholders (MD, Chiefs, ED) as necessary
• Execute donor research in advance of visits and prospect meetings; generate briefing for ED in advance of donor meetings
• Create and provide meaningful stewardship efforts quarterly for our top-tier donors, and to your portfolio of donors, that impress them and help them see how impactful their support of KIPP is.
• Lead the KIPP MA Development Committee on the Board of Trustees and manage KIPP MA Board giving

Foundation Management

• Serve as the main point of contact and liaison for all private and public grant opportunities and foundation relationships
• Manage and generate grant revenue for all KIPP MA programs through timely submission of well-researched, well written and well-documented grant proposals
• Oversee all grant tracking and grant reporting

Development Strategy

• Together with the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, and Director of Communications, plan and execute the regional fundraising strategy, including to envision, develop and execute specific donor engagement and giving opportunities
• Ensure alignment of fundraising priorities with key organizational priorities
• Align fundraising efforts to key priorities and imperatives of KIPP MA
• Establish a close feedback loop between key donor prospects and KIPP MA leadership
• Provide critical input into collateral, including investment proposals and decks, grant proposals, appeals and the annual report
• Provide critical input into senior stakeholder engagement
• Create and maintain strong systems and infrastructure to track and strengthen our donor database, including data analysis and management
• Created dashboard and pipelines based on donor database

External Relations

• Serve as a liaison and point of contact for all external stakeholders - including donors, foundations, legislatures, and other key stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with corporate partners to establish volunteer opportunities at schools, in-kind donations, and potential funding opportunities for KIPP MA
• Provide excellent written and verbal communication with stakeholders

Administrative: Donor Recognition, Database, and Mailings Management

• Manage Raiser’s Edge database, mailing lists, and mailings
• Lead data input of new donors and contacts, gifts and actions
• Manage donor recognition process, including thank you packages, plaques, personal notes/calls from the team, and other forms of recognition within one week of gift receipt
• Reconcile gifts and run weekly and monthly data reports to share progress
• Lead 1:1 monthly meetings with ED to review data and required follow up actions
• Maintain health of the database by performing monthly health checks for duplicates, open actions, and open pledges.

Qualifications

Qualified candidates have the following:

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience in fundraising for non-profit organizations
• Proven track record of a successful campaign
• At least 5 or more years of raising 3 million dollars or more annually
• Proven ability and track record of soliciting and closing five and six figure gifts
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, appropriate and compelling for a senior, external audience
• Self-starter with an intense focus on results and the ability to persevere through challenges to reach goals
• A Bachelor’s degree
• Ability to problem solve, navigate and lead through complexity
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development
• Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times
• Competency in donor database management, Raiser’s Edge experience a plus
• Previous experience with advocacy and community engagement a plus
• Previous experience in the charter realm a plus

Skills and abilities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, appropriate and compelling for a senior, external audience
• Self-starter with an intense focus on results and the ability to persevere through challenges to reach goals
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Detail-oriented, responsive, and organized professional
• Ability to problem solve, navigate and lead through complexity
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development
• Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times
• Competency in donor database management, salesforce experience a plus
• Previous experience with advocacy and community engagement a plus
• Previous experience in the charter realm a plus
• COVID-19 vaccination required, unless medically or religiously exempt

Attitudes

• A belief in the mission and values of KIPP
• Committed to the belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels
• Passion for education equality and access
• Motivated by a fast-paced, diverse, collaborative working environment
• A flexible can-do approach, self-motivation, resilience and a willingness to adapt to the changing needs and priorities in the team and across the organization
• Considerable tact and discretion in dealing with highly confidential information
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity

General Requirements and Responsibilities

• Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively
• Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

KIPP MA staff are supported in their demanding work by experienced and dedicated leadership and staff who have themselves proven successful in their role. Our KIPP MA Executive Leadership Teams maintain consistent systems and procedures designed to permit staff to do their best work.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that staff will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture.

KIPP MA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables all of our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability

Additional Information

What We Offer

The minimum salary range for this exempt position is $150,000 to $180,000 (per 1.0 FTE/45 hours per week). The role includes a $1,000 signing bonus—and an annual $2,000 retention bonus in subsequent years, as well as other bonuses, when eligible. For more about what we offer, how to apply and more about KIPP MA, please visit this link HERE.