"Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this School. He is the unseen but ever-present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students."
Inspired by the teachings of St. Benedict and rooted in our Catholic faith, St. Elizabeth School is a pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade community that fosters spiritual development, academic excellence, responsibility to self, and service to others in a diverse community of co-educational learners.
Advancement Director is a practicing Catholic who supports Church Teachings and is a fundraising professional in Catholic education. This key member of school leadership will:
Expand revenue from non-traditional income streams - particularly, philanthropist participation and cultivating the existing endowment program
Develop a campus facilities enrichment plan to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community
As Advancement Director, you will work closely with the Pastor, Advisory Board, Finance Council, and Principals to champion our mission to donors and St. Elizabeth alumni. The Advancement Director is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Pastor through the principals with a dotted-line relationship to the Advisory Board.
Opportunities:
Access tuition assistance and scholarships for your dependents to attend St. Elizabeth School
Co-create the Christ-filled future of Catholic education at St. Elizabeth School with parish and school leadership
Immerse yourself in Viking Pride - growing a deep connection to our legacy and families
Cultivate new relationships and steward existing ones with mission-aligned donors and alumni
Build the Advancement function at St. Elizabeth School from a modest base!
Be mentored and guided by an Advisory Board member who will support your success!
Earn a base salary plus potential quarterly bonuses by achieving Advancement activities goals
Receive compelling ancillary benefits such as employer contribution to 401(k), 3 weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO). Relocation allowance is a consideration for the ideal candidate
Take advantage of professional development opportunities (e.g., tuition support for professional certifications) and faculty events (e.g., Catholic retreats)
Engagement / Expectations:
Identify potential, mission-aligned major donors through research and community engagement, focusing on the parish, school, institutional, corporate and alumni communities
Cultivate relationships with alumni, parents, and parishioners that want to support our mission of Christ-filled, Catholic education
Organize potential donor events to learn about our Catholic education at St. Elizabeth School, incorporating liturgical and Viking Pride activities
Communicate regularly with donors through newsletters, emails, and social media, highlighting their impact on the school’s mission
Solicit donations through personalized appeals and campaigns, emphasizing the mission of the school
Identify grant opportunities and work with members of the faculty and staff to write and submit grant applications
Liaise with the St. Elizabeth School Alumni Association to align on the school’s needs when the Alumni Association is organizing events to benefit the school
Collaborate with school and parish leadership to align fundraising goals with the school's needs
Manage donor/alumni databases to track interactions, contributions, and recognition for gifts received
Analyze fundraising data to measure effectiveness and adjust strategies accordingly
Report monthly on fundraising progress for the annual fund, awarded grants, and major gifts to the Pastor, Advisory Board, Finance Council, and principals
Partner with marketing to create materials that align to fundraising initiatives, emphasizing the school’s mission
Desired Characteristics:
Mission fit: practicing Catholic who supports Church Teachings, understands the Benedictine Charism, and is invested in Catholic Education
Culture fit: inspired by the writings of St. Benedict and eager to embody Viking Pride
Skills fit: 3 to 5 years demonstrated professional fundraising experiences (major gifts preferred)
Travel fit: Willing to travel 50% or more in the Greater Wilmington area and occasionally nationally to meet with potential donors. Reimbursement for mileage is available.
Technical fit: Expert in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and experience working with CRMs such as Salesforce
Plus: fundraising experience in a Catholic educational institution
Additional considerations: St. Elizabeth School may request references if you advance through the interview process
The fine print: critical features of this job are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Please submit your cover letter and resume to St. Elizabeth pastor, Fr. Roger DiBuo, rdibuo@steschools.org