Advancement Director

Description

The Advancement Director is responsible for leading and developing the advancement program of Destiny Christian Academy (DCA), with primary responsibility for fundraising, donor development, community relations, alumni engagement, and advancement communications.

The Advancement Director will cultivate meaningful relationships with individuals, families, churches, businesses, foundations, alumni, and other community partners to advance the mission and financial sustainability of DCA. This position will develop and implement strategies to increase philanthropic support, strengthen donor relationships, communicate the impact of giving and promote a culture of generosity through the DCA community. This is primarily a discipleship role.

Requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Advancement & Fundraising

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive advancement and fundraising strategy aligned with DCA's mission and strategic priorities.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and develop plans to achieve or exceed those goals.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and existing donors.
• Develop and manage annual giving campaigns, major gift initiatives, capital campaigns, special fundraising events, and other advancement activities.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective donors and maintain accurate records of donor interactions and giving history.
• Develop strategies for identifying, cultivating, and securing major gifts.
• Research and pursue appropriate foundation, corporate, church, and community funding opportunities.
• Coordinate grant research, applications, reporting, and stewardship as appropriate.
• Develop proposals, presentations, and other materials to communicate funding opportunities and the impact of philanthropic support.
• Work closely with school leadership to identify institutional priorities and funding opportunities.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Develop meaningful, long-term relationships with donors and prospective donors.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive donor stewardship program that appropriately recognizes and engages supporters.
• Ensure donors receive timely acknowledgments, updates, impact reports, and expressions of appreciation.
• Communicate the impact of donor support through student stories, program outcomes, testimonials, events, and other appropriate communications.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion regarding donor information and relationships.
• Coordinate donor recognition opportunities, including giving societies, special acknowledgments, and donor events.

Community & External Relations

• Serve as a primary representative of DCA to donors, alumni, churches, businesses, community organizations, and other external partners.
• Build strategic relationships within the Sacramento-area community and surrounding regions.
• Develop partnerships that increase awareness of DCA and support the Academy's mission and advancement objectives.
• Represent DCA professionally at community, church, business, alumni, and philanthropic events.
• Promote a positive public image of DCA and communicate the Academy's mission, accomplishments, and impact.

Alumni & Parent Engagement

• Develop and maintain an active alumni engagement program.
• Establish and maintain accurate alumni records and communications.
• Develop opportunities for alumni to remain connected to DCA and support the Academy's mission.
• Engage current and former parents as ambassadors, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
• Develop strategies to strengthen relationships with families beyond their immediate enrollment experience.

Events & Campaigns

• Plan, coordinate, and evaluate advancement events, including donor appreciation events, fundraising events, alumni events, and other special initiatives.
• Develop event budgets, timelines, sponsorship opportunities, and communication plans.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers and appropriate internal and external partners for advancement activities.
• Evaluate event effectiveness and provide recommendations for future activities.

Communications & Marketing

• Collaborate with DCA's communications and marketing personnel to ensure consistent advancement messaging.
• Develop donor communications, newsletters, campaign materials, appeals, proposals, impact reports, and other advancement-related content.
• Help tell the story of DCA in a compelling manner that connects the Academy's mission with opportunities for philanthropic support.
• Ensure advancement communications appropriately reflect DCA's Christian identity and mission.

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and confidential donor and prospect records.
• Monitor fundraising revenue, campaign progress, donor activity, and advancement metrics.
• Prepare regular advancement reports for school leadership and, as appropriate, the Board of Directors.
• Establish and maintain advancement policies, procedures, calendars, and systems.
• Develop and manage the advancement department budget.
• Coordinate with Finance regarding gift processing, receipting, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Ensure advancement activities are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, organizational policies, and ethical fundraising standards.
• Maintain appropriate documentation related to gifts, pledges, sponsorships, grants, and donor commitments.

Spiritual & Mission Responsibilities

• Support and actively promote the Christian mission, values, and educational philosophy of Destiny Christian Academy.
• Demonstrate a personal commitment to Christian faith and conduct consistent with the standards and expectations of DCA.
• Foster a culture of generosity, service, excellence, integrity, and stewardship.
• Participate in appropriate school activities, chapel, staff meetings, and other events as requested.
• Represent DCA in a manner consistent with its Christian mission and values.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the President, COO, administrative team, and other department leaders to establish and execute advancement priorities.
• Provide leadership and direction to advancement volunteers, committees, and support personnel as assigned.
• Develop and maintain an annual advancement calendar aligned with the school's academic and operational calendar.
• Advise school leadership regarding donor opportunities, fundraising strategy, community relationships, and advancement priorities.
• Provide regular updates regarding fundraising performance, donor engagement, and advancement initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, marketing, public relations, fundraising, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in fundraising, development, advancement, nonprofit leadership, donor relations, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success in relationship development, fundraising, donor cultivation, or community engagement.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, campaigns, and relationships simultaneously.
• Strong discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary for donor meetings, events, and school activities.
• Demonstrated alignment with the Christian mission and values of Destiny Christian Academy.
• Experience working within a Christian school, church, nonprofit, or faith-based organization.
• Experience with major gift fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Experience with annual giving campaigns and capital campaigns.
• Experience with grant writing and foundation relations.
• Experience using donor management/CRM software.
• Experience developing alumni or parent engagement programs.
• Established relationships within the local philanthropic, business, church, or community network.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Strong fundraising and donor-development abilities.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate institutional priorities into advancement opportunities.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
• Professionalism, integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Ability to initiate conversations and develop relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to represent DCA confidently and professionally in public settings.
• Commitment to measurable goals and accountability.
• Ability to communicate the mission and impact of DCA in a compelling and authentic manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This position’s duties are normally performed in a standard work environment based on the activity scheduled. Some physical effort is required; therefore, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. He or she may be required to walk or sit for extended periods and may be exposed to outside weather conditions, including but not limited to heat, cold, humidity, rain, and direct sunlight. Manual dexterity and coordination are required over 50% of the work period while operating equipment, such as a computer keyboard, mouse, calculator, and other similar machines.  

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Working conditions are dynamic. This requires the willingness to work a flexible schedule that may require occasional weekend and/or evening hours. The employee will be using his or her personal vehicle; therefore, he or she must hold a valid driver’s license in the state where he or she is based and have appropriate auto insurance as required by law. The employee needs to be able to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritize work assignments, and do well under pressure. He or she must also demonstrate professionalism and integrity, take initiative, and exercise confidentiality. Finally, the employee must understand and apply all school policies and procedures, follow instructions, be detailed oriented, and have good follow-through on all projects.

NOTES:

This job description has been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. The description in no way states or implies that the duties and responsibilities stated above are the only duties to be performed by the individual(s) within this position. All requirements, skills, and abilities included here have been determined to be the minimal standards required to perform this position. The individual(s) may be called upon and required to follow other instructions or perform other duties instructed by his/her supervisor that is consistent with the purpose of this position, department, and/or school objectives. Destiny Christian Academy expressly reserves the right to change this job description and the duties assigned to the individual periodically as deemed appropriate in Destiny Christian Academy’s sole discretion.

This job description is not intended as and does not create an employment contract or otherwise guarantee employment. Employment is at-will and can be terminated at any time with or without cause and with or without notice by either party.

WE OFFER A STRONG BENEFITS PACKAGE TO SUPPORT OUR EMPLOYEES.

• Medical coverage is available through Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and Western Health Advantage, with the organization covering 90% of employee premiums. All medical plans include a MERP, which helps cover the deductible.
• Dental coverage is provided through Cypress Dental, and vision through VSP Vision Care. We also offer basic life, short-term disability (STD), and long-term disability (LTD) through Mutual of Omaha, along with retirement plan options through AG Financial Solutions.
• Employees are also eligible for a 50% tuition discount on tuition for their child(ren) enrolled at Destiny Schools, as well as 100% coverage of before- and after-school care charges incurred during the employee’s regular work hours for eligible enrolled child(ren). 
• More details on benefits and eligibility will be shared during the hiring process.