Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Community Engagement

Position Overview 

De La Salle Academy (DLSA) is a middle school (6-8), proud of its long-standing commitment to providing access and opportunity to a world-class independent school education regardless of a family’s ability to pay tuition. Founded in 1984 by Brother Brian Carty, FSC, his vision and foresight built both a community and a school. DLSA is a place where children at the margins of our society can step boldly on the shoulders of their ancestors and reach for the hope of a better future. 

DLSA is not simply a school; it is, more importantly, a sign of faith. Building upon its strong mission and core values, DLSA faculty and staff have created a community that provides access and opportunity, especially to low income and low wealth families. Our mission is to provide our families with a reason to have faith in our schools. It is the faith that a quality education can be purposefully rigorous, personalized to care, and foster the individual gifts and talents of each of our students. It is the faith that children should not leave who they are at the door to be a student, but rather that they should participate fully and unapologetically to share all of themselves and their gifts in a loving community. 

While our children are always at the center of our mission, it is the caring adults to whom we entrust our children that are its driving force. To this end, DLSA seeks an Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Community Engagement to support the work of the School’s Advancement Office. This person will play a critical role in cultivating a culture of philanthropy, strengthening relationships with donors, alumni, and community partners, and advancing the School’s fundraising goals. This dynamic and collaborative professional will lead annual giving initiatives and create meaningful engagement opportunities. As we set our sights on close to fifty years of service to our community, this person will serve as an ambassador for the School’s mission, values, and impact.

DLSA Mission 

De La Salle Academy is a transformative, independent middle school for academically talented students seeking greater educational access and opportunities in New York City, regardless of their financial means. We guide our students through a challenging, creative, and values-driven curriculum that inspires curiosity, confidence, and self-discovery. Rooted in the Lasallian tradition and in partnership with our families, our diverse community empowers students to lead with character, purpose, and generosity.

DLSA at a Glance

De La Salle Academy is the only private, independent day school in New York City for academically talented, economically less advantaged children in grades six through eight. We are a diverse community of 130 students commuting from neighborhoods all over the Metropolitan area, including 48% from Queens, 31% from the Bronx, and 11% from Brooklyn. Upon graduation, our students are well-equipped to become the leaders of tomorrow. We have transformed the lives of more than 2,000 academically talented alumni and have built the foundation for a lifetime of continuous learning.

Who do we serve (for the 25-26 academic year):

Total school enrollment: 130

Percentages of DLSA students:

First-generation Americans: 76%

Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, 

Asian American, or Multi-Racial: 95%

Receive financial aid to attend DLSA: 98%

DLSA students come from families that are*:

Low-income/low-wealth/below the poverty line: 42.3%

Moderate Income: 25.2%

High Income: 33.9%

*Based on NYC poverty threshold metrics developed by the Robin Hood Foundation.

DLSA families are from Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Korea, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Tibet, Trinidad, and the United States.

Over 14 languages are spoken in our community.

DLSA Alumni (based on last five years matriculation):

Graduate high school: 100%

Attend college: 98%

Attend private/independent high schools and boarding schools: 77%

DLSA Community:

Student/faculty ratio:  9:1

Total number of ft faculty: 14

Total number of faculty/staff: 27

DLSA alums on the DLSA faculty/staff: 6

DLSA alums on the DLSA Board of Trustees: 7

Position: 

Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Community Engagement

Reports To

Director of Advancement

General Description

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Community Engagement leads the School’s annual fundraising and donor engagement efforts while advancing its mission of educational access and opportunity for talented middle school students in New York City. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, this role oversees the planning and execution of fundraising events, donor cultivation initiatives, annual giving, and stewardship to strengthen relationships with alumni, families, trustees, and community partners. The position collaborates closely with the Advancement Office and the Head of School to manage donor communications, engaging programming and events, and outreach efforts that increase participation and support the School’s mission. In addition to fundraising responsibilities, the Assistant Director serves as an active member of the school community by supporting events, fostering the Lasallian mission and values, and contributing positively to school life.

Events and Engagement

• Strategize, plan, and manage all advancement events with support from the Advancement Office
• Working with the Director of Advancement, responsible for creating new ways to cultivate and steward all donors and the Board of Trustees throughout the year
• Plans and supports fundraising and donor engagement events that cultivate relationships, increase donor participation, and advance annual giving goals.
• Collaborates with Advancement Office leadership to coordinate donor recognition, stewardship activities, and community engagement initiatives.
• Supports the execution of cultivation and engagement opportunities designed to strengthen relationships with alumni, parents, donors, and institutional partners.
• In partnership with the Director of Advancement and the Office of the Head of School, plans, manages, and executes events focused on alumni engagement, donor cultivation, community outreach, and institutional events designed to strengthen relationships with alumni, families, students, donors, and community partners.

Annual Giving and Donor Relations

• Work as a member of the Advancement Office to assist and support the Director of Advancement.
• In partnership with the Director of Advancement, develops and executes the School’s annual fund to meet fundraising goals and strategies.
• Plans, implements, and manages all aspects of the annual giving program, including appeals, publications, direct mail, email campaigns, digital giving, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Manages donor stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation efforts through relationship-building, personalized engagement, and strategic outreach to current and prospective supporters.
• Writes and manages donor acknowledgments, stewardship communications, and fundraising appeals.
• Works with the Advancement Associate to ensure timely and accurate gift processing.
• Strengthens the DLSA Parents of Alumni outreach program through targeted cultivation, engagement, and fundraising initiatives.

Other Duties

• To perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School.
• Attend and take an active role in all faculty meetings, community meetings, assemblies, retreats, admissions days, and special ceremonies and celebrations, some of which, as indicated above, may be held early in the morning, in the evening, or on holidays or weekends.
• Foster the LaSallian tradition and mission of the School, and promote the principles and ideals for which the School stands as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Act as a positive contributor to the School community, actively participate in the life of the School as a role model of appropriate behavior with students, parents, colleagues, and other members of the School community, and grow professionally.
• Follow all School rules, regulations, and policies, including, without limitation, those outlined in the Employee Handbook.