Director of Advancement, Upper St. Clair School District

Developing lifelong learners and responsible citizens for a global society is the mission of the Upper St. Clair School District, served by a responsive and innovative staff which partners with the community to provide learning experiences that nurture the uniqueness of each child and promote happiness and success.

In 2010, the Director of Advancement position was created to:

• Enhance the District's goal of financial independence.
• Expand revenues to minimize the adverse effect of current fluctuating funding from local, state and federal sources.
• Create new funding sources including an annual fund drive.
• Establish effective coordination of volunteer groups and their efforts.
• Expand efforts to seek competitive government grants as well as foundation support.
• Increase public affairs activities.
• Increase viable partnerships.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy within/toward the District.

BACKGROUND

There are six public schools in the Upper St. Clair School District (USCSD). Three are K-4 elementary schools - Baker Elementary School, Eisenhower Elementary School and Streams Elementary School, two are middle schools - Boyce Middle School (5-6) and Fort Couch Middle School (7-8), and one is a high school, Upper St. Clair High School (9-12). Over the past decade, the District began an ambitious renovation program with the completion of a "state-of-the-art" reconstruction of the high school facility completed in June 2000, renovation and reconstruction of all three elementary schools completed in September 2003 and the Middle Schools Renovation Project completed in September 2011. With this restoration process, the District has gained modern school facilities with the latest educational advancements for our student population of approximately 4,100 students. 98 percent of the students who graduate from Upper St. Clair High School go on to further their education at a college, university or junior college. The District's professional staff numbers well over 300 educators, 73 percent of whom hold Masters Degrees or above, and a support staff of close to 200 including custodians, nutrition center workers, aides, secretaries, maintenance and transportation personnel.

The Board of School Directors ("Board") unanimously approved the creation of the Office of Advancement in 2010. The Advancement Office was created and a strategic plan implemented over the past two years, with organizational and funding success. The services of Vantagen, formerly Dewey and Kaye, were approved by the Board to recruit and retain the next Director.

The District's initiative to cultivate alternative funding has resulted in well over $300,000 of commitments/contributions over several years from grants, the 2011 and 2012 Gala events, signage at the High School stadium and gyms, Educational Improvement Tax Credit programs, and other fundraising sources.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Advancement ("Director") position is a part-time position (25-30 hours per week) and was created to compliment the charitable giving effort of the School District with a special emphasis on individual giving, major giving, grant seeking and corporate partnerships. The Director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the philanthropic efforts of the District in support of operations, capital needs and long-range vision. Working collaboratively with the Superintendent, Director of Finance, the Board, the Community Foundation, the PTAs/PTSOs, booster groups and other related organizations, the Director will work to manage daily fundraising operations and raise monies to support the vision as set forth by the Board.

The Director is either directly or indirectly responsible for the following:

Cultivation and Solicitation

• Write or oversee the preparation of grant proposals and fulfill funding report requests for corporate, foundation and government funders.
• Work cooperatively with the staff, Board, and Community Foundation to plan and implement special projects/campaigns.
• Identify and develop sponsorship and naming opportunities.
• Create a plan and time-line to cultivate major gifts on an annual basis. Build on relationships and goodwill created by District.
• Enhance the annual Gala giving program. Develop and grow individual donor base. Secure operating support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. The annual goal for fundraising is $100,000, growing conservatively over the next few years until the Advancement Function is well established.
• Develop and implement a plan for donor recognition and ongoing stewardship of major donors and foundations.
• Identify, cultivate and solicit philanthropic support through relationships with volunteer groups, corporations, foundations and individuals, including alumni, faculty and staff.
• Develop a website for the Advancement Office.
• Serve as a liaison for alumni relations for the District.

Management

• Work with the Superintendent and Director of Business and Finance to create and implement an annual development strategy and plan for operating support and capital projects that includes specific dollar goals for each targeted area of funding: foundations, corporations, individuals and government.
• Work cooperatively with an engaged Board to further the culture of philanthropy.
• Develop office systems to support development and maintain confidential donor records.
• Work collaboratively with all staff with an attitude of collegiality and mutual support.
• Support and work cooperatively with the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair's leadership, the PTA/PTSO, booster groups and other related organizations.
• Continue to expand the donor database and continue to enhance the use of the donor management software. (eTapestry)

Reporting

• Prepare reports for the Board related to fund-raising progress and action steps.
• Develop annual report for District contributors, Board and community that highlight yearly milestones and accomplishments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The ideal candidate has a blend of the following:

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• Substantial prior successful experience with development, fundraising, sales or marketing.
• A competent and natural external leader who can convey confidence, build relationships and represent USCSD in the community. A self-starter.
• Strong strategic ability, financial acumen, management skills, and an ethical servant leader approach to work.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written and public speaking.

COMPENSATION

This position offers a competitive part-time salary, consistent with that of organizations similar in size, scope, scale and geographic location. The position offers flexible work hours.