Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Community Engagement

Main Purpose of the Role 

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Community Engagement is an integral member of our Development Office team responsible for fostering a culture of philanthropy, engagement, and volunteerism in support of Cathedral School for Boys. The ideal candidate for this position is a self-starter with a personable and outgoing nature, strong communication skills, a highly organized and detail-oriented approach to process, a sense of humor, and dedication to quality work. 

The Assistant Director oversees the School’s annual giving program, the Cathedral School Fund, which currently raises nearly $2M annually for the School’s general operations. In addition to coordinating all aspects of this fundraising effort, the Assistant Director fosters community engagement through outreach, communication, and events designed to sustain a culture of belonging, gratitude, and shared responsibility of stewardship across School constituencies; including current families, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty/staff, grandparents, and our extended community.  

Key Responsibilities  

Annual Giving: The Cathedral School Fund 

• Coordinates all aspects of the Cathedral School Fund
• Manages an effective program of targeted fundraising appeals to all Cathedral School constituencies, maximizing contributions and engagement over the course of the annual fundraising cycle 
• Identifies and enlists volunteer leadership from among key constituencies and works with volunteers to meet fundraising and participation goals 
• Prepares and compiles all materials for volunteer training, annual giving communications, solicitations, an constituent outreach 
• Works with the Director of Marketing and Communications to create printed collateral, website content, online media and other supporting media and materials for annual giving appeals 
• Monitors and evaluates effectiveness of annual giving solicitation programs and tailors strategy to maximize  donor engagement and fundraising 
• Coordinates cultivation, acknowledgement, and stewardship plan for Cathedral School Fund donors and  volunteers 
• Identifies major gift prospects among annual donors based on giving history and profiles 
• Maximizes the corporate matching gift potential among current and prospective donors 
• Oversees the gift entry, acknowledgement, and quarterly pledge reminder processes; working with the  Development Coordinator to ensure accurate, consistent, and timely record keeping 
• Produces monthly updates on fundraising for Development Committee and Board meetings

Community Engagement 

• Coordinates events that support a successful annual giving program through community engagement, donor cultivation, and stewardship. Key events include a New Family Welcome Reception in the fall, Head of  School Coffees, Patron Donor Receptions in the winter and spring, and related events for constituencies  including trustees, alumni, and grandparents  
• Assists the School’s Parents Association with community events including the Fall Bash, All Family Picnic, Grandparents & Special Friends Day and the annual spring Celebration & Auction 
• Works with the Director of Marketing and Communications to create printed collateral, website content, online media and other supporting media and materials for events and other development activities as applicable
• Attends Development and other school events and is a visible and engaged community member 
• Assists with writing and generating accurate donor listings for our Annual Report 
• Builds and runs Raiser’s Edge queries, mailings, exports, and reports to support department outreach and  communications 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging Commitments:

• Engage in conversations with empathy and curiosity, listen to recognize the presence, ideas, and beliefs of all individuals within the Cathedral School community;
• Practice courage and acting with integrity to speak up and speak out to stand up for what is right even when it is challenging or unpopular; 
• Uphold the process of reflection, healing, and repair, holding ourselves accountable and accepting responsibility for our actions.

Skills and Competencies 

• Warm, welcoming demeanor and ability to communicate and engage with diverse individuals in formal and  informal settings 
• Resourcefulness and willingness to take initiative 
• Highly organized approach to prioritizing workload and managing multiple deadlines 
• Strong analytical problem-solving and collaboration skills 
• Keen attention to detail and commitment to quality and accuracy 
• Strong writing, editorial, and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality 
• Positive attitude and ability to demonstrate enthusiasm for the mission, values, and goals of the School 
• Availability to work some nights/weekends 
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and lift up to 25 pounds (reasonable accommodations may be made to  enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions) 
• A flexible mindset and a sense of humor as “we believe that education thrives in a school where parents,  teachers, students, and trustees know each other well, communicate comfortably and openly in an  environment of mutual respect, and habitually laugh together”