DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Friends Community School (FCS) is a progressive co-ed Quaker K-8 day school serving a diverse student body from the greater Washington, D.C. area. FCS offers a challenging curriculum imbued with strong values of equality, integrity, community, environmental stewardship, simplicity, and peaceful conflict resolution, rooted in our Quaker heritage. Faculty and staff are highly engaged and enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and creativity. FCS’s LEED-certified building is situated on 17 acres surrounded by Greenbelt National Park, nine minutes from the University of Maryland, College Park, and thirty minutes from Washington, D.C.

FCS seeks a Director of Institutional Advancement to provide leadership for the advancement program as it creates a vibrant culture of philanthropy at Friends Community School. The Director of Institutional Advancement designs programs that ensure maximum gift support for the school.

The Director of Institutional Advancement supports and supervises the Director of Annual Fund and the Advancement Office Associate. As a member of the senior administrative team, the Director reports directly to the Head of School and works closely with the Clerk of the Advancement Committee of the Board. 

Responsibilities include:

• Establishing and executing forward-thinking advancement and strategic programs that grow the annual fund, endowment and capital campaigns, legacy gifts, and planned giving.
• Overseeing all aspects of the development program, including fundraising, guiding capital and endowment campaigns, soliciting corporate and foundation proposals, creating a strong alumni association, and organizing development events.
• Identifying, researching, and leading the implementation of a multifaceted fundraising program to support the school’s strategic vision, creating a culture of philanthropy across all constituencies and social-economic strata. 
• Collaborating with the Admissions Office and Director of Communications on public relations initiatives and the creation of fundraising-related communication materials to expand and enhance FCS reputation. 
• Identifying corporate and foundation funding opportunities and writing grant applications.
• Coordinating the school volunteerism efforts and partnering with the Parent Association and parent volunteers for major school fundraisers such as the annual auction, Fall Fair, and Grandfriends’ Day.
• Strengthening FCS’s relationship with alumni and alumni parents and developing alumni programming.
• Assisting the Head of School with the solicitation of major donors.
• Enhancing existing relationships while building new relationships, systems, and programs that elevate the generosity and resources of the community. 
• Managing the development budget.
• Managing fundraising data software and database management software and maintaining accurate records and files.
• Nurturing and maintaining a highly collaborative relationship with the Head of School, the Clerk of the Board, and individual board members, supporting them in their fundraising responsibilities, and accompanying them on donor visits when appropriate. 
• Appreciating Quaker values and practices and ensuring they are reflected in strategy, programming, and fundraising.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree required, a master’s degree preferred
• Five plus years in the nonprofit sector and in fundraising
• Independent school experience preferred
• Proven success in directly soliciting and securing charitable gifts
• A strategic thinker and problem solver
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills 
• Cultural competency and an ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to maintain confidentiality 
• Extensive knowledge of fundraising data software and database management software such as Blackbaud and Raiser's Edge

To Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references to Angela G. Garcia, Head of School, at jobs@friendscommunityschool.org.

The application deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021.

FCS is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational community and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.