Director of Advancement

About Aidan Montessori School: www.aidanschool.org

Are you ready to change the world? At Aidan Montessori School, we believe that changing the world for the better begins in the classroom.

We can create a more open, innovative, and just society by educating children into adults who can overcome obstacles, communicate persuasively, lead with vision, adapt with agility, and care for their community.

As Washington, D.C.’s oldest Montessori school—and one of the oldest in the nation—Aidan is both a home for families seeking a child-focused education and a leader in the broader Montessori movement. Serving children ages 18 months through grade 6, Aidan prepares students to grow into:

• Curious thinkers, empowered to wonder, question, and follow their inspiration.
• Creative explorers, approaching the world with a “let’s go find out” mentality.
• Compassionate problem-solvers, driven to seek solutions for their community.

Aidan’s mission is to help children realize their full potential and become independent, self-motivated, and socially responsible citizens of the world. Following the principles of Montessori education, we cultivate a community centered on curiosity, respect, humanity, and peace. We embrace diversity and strive to maintain an inclusive, equitable environment where every individual feels a genuine sense of belonging.

About the Director of Advancement Position

Aidan seeks a hands-on and entrepreneurial Director of Advancement to lead the school’s fundraising program. Reporting to the Head of School, the Director will be a department of one—overseeing strategy, execution, and daily operations with some administrative support for gift processing and database entry.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative and tenacious fundraiser who enjoys building relationships and scaling programs. The Director will manage the Annual Fund planning and implementation, guide current and alumni giving and engagement, assist in the preparation for future campaigns, and ensure smooth gift processing, donor stewardship, and reporting in Neon CRM.

This position offers a competitive salary in the rage of $80,000 to $100,000 and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (with dental and vision), short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, life insurance, a retirement plan, tuition remission, paid leave, and ongoing professional development.

Core Roles and Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy & Execution (30%)

• Develop the annual fundraising strategy to encourage increased giving and participation.
• Plan and implement the Aidan Fund campaign including school promotions, mailed and emailed appeals, personal solicitations, and events.
• Oversee the annual Benefit and donor-hosted events and provide fundraising and logistical support.
• Partner with organizational leadership and consultants to prepare for a future capital campaign.

Constituent Engagement (30%)

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of mid- and high-level donors and prospects.
• Form strong relationships with parents, grandparents, alumni, and other key constituents.
• Build alumni and grandparent engagement strategies to increase their engagement.
• Partner with the Parent Association and volunteers on their community events and fundraising efforts.

Board & Leadership Partnership (20%)

• Collaborate with the Head of School on donor meetings, solicitations, and stewardship.
• Support the Board of Trustees and Advancement Committee on their fundraising efforts.
• Prepare goal-oriented reports and presentations detailing revenue and participation progress.

Operations & Systems (20%)

• Oversee gift processing, acknowledgments, and stewardship in Neon CRM.
• Maintain data integrity and donor records; generate timely fundraising reports.
• Document and refine advancement SOPs and workflows to ensure consistency.

Candidate Characteristics & Qualifications

• Experience: At least 5 years of fundraising experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting.
• Self-Starter: Comfortable as a department of one—able to set strategy and roll up sleeves to execute.
• Fundraising Knowledge: Success in annual giving, donor cultivation, and relationship management; campaign preparation a plus.
• Technical Skills: Proficient with CRM systems (Neon CRM preferred), data, reporting, and donor pipelines.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to inspire support for Aidan’s mission.
• Collaboration: Relationship-builder who enjoys working with parents, volunteers, and Board members.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification a plus.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and a letter of interest. Your cover letter should:

• Describe your interest in the Director of Advancement role.
• Explain why you want to work for Aidan Montessori School.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance (with dental and vision), short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, life insurance, a retirement plan, tuition remission, paid leave, and ongoing professional development.