Cornelia Connelly Center
Director of Advancement
About Cornelia Connelly Center
Cornelia Connelly Center (CCC) champions under-resourced girls,empowering them to realize their full potential from middle schoolthrough college and beyond. CCC offers a thirteen-year program,partnering with each girl and her family from fourth grade tocollege graduation. Through Connelly Middle School of the HolyChild (CMS), students in grades four through eight receive ajoyful, holistic education. Our Graduate Support Program (GSP)serves CMS alumnae, persistently committed to their high schoolsuccess and college completion. With Cornelia Connelly Center, ayoung woman learns to shine – transforming her life and ourworld.
About the Position
The Advancement Director will be a member of Cornelia ConnellyCenter’s Leadership Team, working closely with the ExecutiveDirector and Board of Trustees to ensure the success of CCC’sannual advancement efforts, which raises $2.5 million annually fromindividuals, events, and institutions, towards CCC’s annualoperating budget of approximately $3 million. The AdvancementDirector reports directly to the Executive Director and manages andmentors the Advancement Associate, Grant Writer and occasionalinterns.
This role requires visionary leadership, strategic thinking,strong writing skills, attention to detail, and professionalism inall aspects, from daily email to donor and trustee interaction. Theideal candidate is an energetic and affable self-starter with astrong commitment to CCC’s mission to empower every girl to realizeher full potential.
Professional Responsibilities:
- Designs, coordinates and ensuresexecution of all fundraising efforts (individuals, foundations,events) to raise at least $2.5 million in the 2023-2024 fiscalyear.
- Plans and executes all events,including annual benefit dinner which typically nets $600k+,Friendraisers, and stewardship events.
- Partners with the Executive Directorand the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees to develop,execute and continually refine five-year Advancement strategicplan, and develop short-term and long-term fundraisingstrategy.
- Partners with the Executive Directorand the Communications Committee of the Board of Trustees toenhance communication with our donor base and execute marketingstrategies to find new donors and build enrollment of the ConnellyMiddle School.
- Works with the Director of Finance toensure the creation of and adherence to a realistic and detailedbudget that allows CCC to further our mission, and to communicatethat budget to the Board, staff, and other constituents.
- Manages revenue tracking andreporting to the Executive Director, Board of Trustees, andAdvancement Committee.
- Leverages connections of Board ofTrustees, Junior Advisory Board, staff, and volunteers to maximizefundraising initiatives and brand awareness.
- Leads donor stewardship, expressinggratitude and offering meaningful opportunities for engagement on aregular basis.
- Serves as mid-level gift officer,with an emphasis on soliciting gifts up to $10,000 and plannedgifts.
- Oversees development of all CCCbranded materials and communications, including but not limited to:newsletters, annual report, annual appeal, Christmas card,e-communications, website, social media platforms, buildingsignage, and marketing collateral.
- Oversees grant application process,from proposal writing to final report.
- Serve as a role model for students,graduates, and staff, modeling CCC values in actions and words, andactively participating in the life of the Center.
Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3 years’ experience innonprofit or independent school fundraising, or equivalentexperience, are required. Ideal candidates possess the followingstrengths:
Seeks excellence –
- Exceptional writing, editing, andproofreading skills
- High level of integrity and standardof work
- Outstanding professional judgment anddemeanor
- Highly organized and able toanticipate, plan for and reach deadlines
Collaborative –
- Excellent interpersonal/communicationskills
- Discretion and malleability to workwith varying constituencies
- Willingness to learn new skills;values feedback to support individual/team growth andefficiency
Optimistic –
- Positive attitude and a strong desireto be a part of a diverse team
- Demonstrates the resiliency needed toexcel
- Exudes composure, especially underpressure
- Reflective, proactive, and dedicatedto personal growth
Adaptable –
- Adept at working within deadlineshandling several projects at once
- Creative thinker who can think beyondstatus quo
- Ability to juggle priorities and tomaximize resources
- Takes initiative to anticipate nextsteps and potential roadblocks
Desired Skills –
- High degree of proficiency inMicrosoft Office suite, particularly Excel
- Experience with donor databaseplatforms; knowledge of DonorPerfect is preferred
- Experience in grant proposal writingpreferred
Salary and Benefits
- Salary starting at $90,000,commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive and competitivebenefits, including health, retirement, and vacation
Interested candidates should send cover letter, resume, andlist of references to
Brianne Wetzel, Executive Director:careers@connellycenter.org
Proposed Start Date: June 15, 2023