Director of Advancement

Full job description

Company Overview
The Frostig School is dedicated to enriching the lives of children with learning disabilities through innovative research, professional development, and specialized education programs. Since its founding in 1951, the Frostig School has become a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the field, committed to fostering success for children with diverse learning needs.

Summary:
The Director of Advancement will oversee a comprehensive fundraising program that currently includes annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, capital and endowment campaigns, corporate and community sponsorship, and event planning. Critical to the success of this position is the close working relationship with the Board of Trustees, the Head of School, and the Leadership Teams from both Pasadena and Los Angeles campuses.

Principal duties and responsibilities (including but not limited to the following):

Leadership & Strategy

• Actively participate with the Leadership Teams, collaborating closely with the Head of School and senior administrators on institutional priorities and strategic planning for the future of the school
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for all advancement and fundraising initiatives
• Partner with school leadership and the Board of Trustees to cultivate a vibrant culture of philanthropy throughout the community

Annual Fund & Fundraising Oversight

• Oversee and execute all annual fundraising efforts for the general operating budget, generating approximately $1.3 million annually through annual giving, grants, events, sponsorships, and donor cultivation.
• Works closely with the Head of School, CFO, and Trustees to develop and manage annual fundraising strategy for meeting annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Lead all annual appeals, donor communications, and giving including direct mail, email appeals, Giving Days, and special fundraising initiatives, including the current capital campaign
• Track fundraising progress, donor retention, and performance metrics; provide regular reporting to school leadership and the Board.

Events & Community Engagement

• Direct and oversee fundraising and community-building events across both campuses, including cultivation events, annual fundraising events, donor receptions, and community engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with parents, volunteers, staff / teachers, and Board members to increase participation and strengthen community investment in the school’s mission.
• Support volunteer engagement and donor stewardship initiatives.

Marketing & Communications

• Collaborate with Leadership Teams on institutional marketing strategy, branding, content development, and community engagement initiatives across both campuses.

Donor & Board Relations

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, alumni, families, grandparents, foundations, and community partners.
• Support Advancement Committee and Board development efforts
• Prepare development reports, presentations, and fundraising updates for Board meetings and leadership discussions.

Operations & Management

• Oversee donor database management, gift processing, acknowledgment systems, and fundraising recordkeeping.
• Develop and manage the advancement budget and fundraising timelines.

Qualifications and Skills

Required

○ Bachelor’s degree

○ Minimum 8+ years experience in development, fundraising, and advancement. ○ Enthusiasm for the mission and vision of The Frostig School and strong commitment to embracing and promoting its culture

○ Ability to inspire the Frostig community to support the school with annual giving, planned giving, and major gifts

○ Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and proficiency in the use of a variety of media platforms

○ Proven track record of expanding an organization’s donor base to include new funding streams

○ Experience working with nonprofit Board of Trustees

○ Ability to articulate Frostig’s educational and post-secondary programs as well as the “whole child” approach

○ Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong, positive relationships with diverse constituencies

○ Knowledge of current legal and tax implications of soliciting, giving, accepting, and accounting for charitable gifts

○ Commitment to promoting equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of the job

○ Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment

Preferred

○ Experience with independent school fundraising

○ CFRE credential

○ Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, G-Suite, donor database systems, and web-based research services

Pay: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person