Director of Advancement

Job Description

The Impact of San Juan Diego Academy
Since its founding in 2011, San Juan Diego Academy has been transforming the lives of children and families in our community.

Key impacts include
High academic standards: Our rigorous curriculum provides a well-rounded education that includes not only core subjects like mathematics, science, and reading, but also virtue-based instruction rooted in Catholic teachings.
Faith and character development: SJDA's focus on the spiritual and moral development of our students provides them with a strong foundation that helps them navigate challenges in their personal and academic lives.
Supportive environment: SJDA is more than a school; it is a close-knit community where students are supported emotionally, spiritually, and academically, fostering a sense of belonging, engagement, and purpose.
Over the years, we have seen remarkable success in our students' academic performance and their growth as individuals. The vast majority of SJDA students matriculate to and graduate from our Catholic high schools at the same 99% rate that
is a hallmark of Catholic high schools and attend 4-year colleges at a rate of 85.7% setting them on a pathway to overcome a cycle of poverty, while their peers in neighborhood schools are dropping out at alarming rates, and only attending 4-year
college 39.5% of the time. The difference is stark and yet, the need for consistent funding remains a challenge.

Overview of the Position
We are in search of a proven fundraiser and inspirational leader with a passion for our school's mission. The ideal candidate is an experienced development professional with a record of achievement in fundraising and team participation, an innovator who can confidently engage prospects and drive a culture of philanthropy to leverage the community's passion for San Juan Diego Academy's mission into the resources necessary to achieve its goals.

Key Responsibilities
Lead and collaborate with the school's Development Committee of the Board of Directors, with primary responsibility for donor development and the creation and maintenance of philanthropic revenue streams
Identify new prospects, acquire new donors, retain and upgrade current donors, and increase gift prospects to meet current and long-term financial needs for San Juan Diego Academy
Maintain a reliable process of gift acknowledgement, gratitude, and ongoing stewardship of donors and prospects
Meet regularly with current donors to secure and enhance contributions
Focus on building relationships throughout the Catholic and Hispanic communities and across the greater Grand Rapids area to advance the mission of San Juan Diego Academy, as well as recruit new members to the Development Committee
Lead, plan, and direct annual individual & foundation giving, corporate & sponsorship appeals including proposal development and grant writing
Develop and deliver presentations about the mission and work of San Juan Diego Academy to Catholic parishes, businesses, foundations, colleges, universities among others
Plan and lead fund development and mission advancement events
Engage in coalition building with partner parishes in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Collaborate with a growing team of volunteer leaders to delegate and distribute the expanding workload to successfully raise $1,000,000-$1,300,000 annually
Communicate with the community at large through newsletters, brochures, interacting with the media and utilizing social media
Oversee advancement materials, case statements, newsletters, social media, website content aligned with our school's Catholic identity
Collaborate on branding and messaging that reflects the school's values and vision
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Fund Development or related field.
Three (3) years of serving in a fund development capacity with a nonprofit
Active and practicing member of the Catholic faith preferred
Ability to work with a fully supportive attitude alongside San Juan Diego affiliated pastors and parishes, diocesan officials, the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan, the broader Catholic community, the Catholic Church, her teachings, and her work
Passionate about advancing Catholic education and community engagement
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Experience working with fund development software
Ability to think creatively, develop plans, research, assume responsibility for results
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to inspire trust and build relationships across diverse communities
A warm, engaging, and mission-driven leadership style

About the Employer

In partnership with family, parish, and the greater community, San Juan Diego Academy educates students of immigrant families in the Catholic faith to be respectful responsible, dependable, and to aspire to graduate from high school, pursue higher education, and heaven.