Excellence Community Schools
Who We Are
Excellence Community Schools (ECS)
is a Charter Management Organization (CMO) supporting schools in the Bronx, NY and Stamford, CT. Our programs are based on a proven, nationally recognized model, which originated in our flagship school, the Bronx Charter School for Excellence, a National Blue Ribbon School.
Our Mission and Vision
Our schools prepare young scholars to compete for admission to and succeed in top public, private, and parochial high schools by cultivating their intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and ethical development. We accomplish this by offering a challenging and rigorous academic curriculum, which at the earliest of grades has an eye towards college preparation. To achieve this, our schools create a supportive and caring environment that at all times has high expectations of all students. We offer a differentiated, project-based learning environment that seeks to develop high-level analytic and critical thinking skills in all of our students. Our engaging and rigorous approach to educating our scholars is implemented by a collaborative team of teachers.
Who We Need
We are seeking individuals who are dedicated, ambitious, and committed to student success and education reform. Qualified candidates must demonstrate records of achievement, high degrees of personal responsibility, and the drive to do whatever it takes to ensure that every child achieves academic success. This individual must be committed to excellence, lead by example, and see collaboration as a key component of success.
Job Overview
Excellence Charter Schools seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial fundraising professional to create and lead an expanding philanthropic effort. The successful candidate will possess excellent organization and project management skills and will have the ability to quickly scale efforts. He/she must possess a passion for educational equity and public education and have experience in the New York City/Tri-State philanthropic community. Experience with charter schools, education equity or exposure to public policy and charter school advocacy is highly valued.
The Development Director will create, advance, and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy across three diverse areas of organizational need: Starting and scaling a growing networking of successful charter schools Acquiring and building/renovating school facilities Implementing broader organizational initiatives across our school network and CMO Building and expanding key relationships and contacts within and outside of the Excellence network to ensure continued revenue growth, as well as the management of strategic messaging on behalf of the organization. This position promises to be fast-paced and full of immediate opportunities to implement new and impactful initiatives and opportunities for future growth and increased responsibility. Responsibilities
Fundraising
Develop and execute a development strategy to ensure that $2.5 - $3.0 million in operating support is generated annually as well as an additional $1.0 million in capital support Create departmental systems to enhance the development platform including building a donor database, procuring resources for prospect research, and devising systems for outreach Deliver significant gifts (six- and seven-figure) particularly from institutional education-focused funders Identify emerging issues facing the sector and organization and work with staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and define and execute appropriate strategies in response Execute swift and effective crisis/rapid response communication strategies and guide leadership through events Develop and drive a strategic communications plan which supports all fundraising activities and goals Responsible for the development of all copy, print, and internal and external branded materials, including research and talking points, to ensure alignment with the strategic communications plan Maintain and develop all channels of electronic communication, including website and social media and the databases to support them Identify and cultivate a diverse base of supporters including individuals and corporation working in collaboration with the CEO and Board Propose and gain consensus on metrics that will support the success of the annual and long-term development plans and ongoing donor acquisition and cultivation efforts Create new stewardship programs/opportunities for Excellence supporters at all giving levels, ensuring that every donor has a positive philanthropic experience Cultivate relationships with existing and new supporters through site visits and ongoing updates, including periodic newsletters and annual reports Engage with diverse networks of people to ensure initiatives are met and supported, including Board, Development Committees, personnel throughout the CMO
Grant and Event Management
Work collaboratively with other stakeholders and staffers to garner programmatic information for the preparation of funding proposals as well as accurate and timely reports Oversee all aspects of the grant-writing process including:
Identifying funding sources Ensuring compelling proposals are produced Analyzing and summarizing outcomes and metrics strategically, and Submitting all required documentation in timely manner Manage and cultivate external relationships with grant funders and key supporters Oversee partnership with the Board and Development Committee to help manage all planning and implementation activities for annual CMO fundraising events Provide direction and support for school-level programs (e.g. "Name a Room" programs) Provide direction and support to Board members or key donors for any annual cultivation, "friend raising" and revenue generating events as needed.
PR & Communications
Identify emerging issues facing the sector and organization and work with staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and define and execute appropriate strategies in response Execute swift and effective crisis/rapid response communication strategies and guide leadership through events Develop and drive a strategic communications plan which supports all fundraising activities and goals Responsible for the development of all copy, print, and internal and external branded materials, including research and talking points, to ensure alignment with the strategic communications plan Maintain and develop all channels of electronic communication, including website and social media and the databases to support them Qualifications
A minimum of 7-10 years of development/fundraising experience with a demonstration of progressive responsibility and record of exceeding goals Capacity to create and establish efficient systems and procedures that can be replicated and grow independent of you Ability to build strong and strategic relationships with Board and senior volunteer leadership A desire and ability to build networks within the funding and charter school community with an eye towards delivery best practices for an institution Proven success in securing gifts as a frontline major gifts fundraiser Excellent writing and public speaking skills Experience in prospect research, internet/social media, and online fundraising Extremely team oriented Strong business acumen Demonstrated ability to handle multiple time-sensitive tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment Keen attention to detail and a high standard for accuracy Enthusiastic, entrepreneurial approach, with ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while working collaboratively and maintaining a sense of humor A self-starter with a high degree of personal integrity who has the ability to be supportive of initiatives beyond their individual department Excellent computer skills required, including Microsoft Office suite, Raisers Edge (or other fundraising database), and FundEZ A master's degree is preferred particularly a MBA. TRAVEL: Regular travel throughout the five boroughs. Minimal additional travel expected. Compensation & Benefits
Staring salary $100,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications Health Insurance, Dental, Vision 403B Retirement Plan - Employer Match Paid Time Off/Paid Sick Leave/Parental Leave/FMLA Short-term, Long-term Disability benefits and Life Insurance $5000 Tuition Reimbursement
Excellence Community Schools (ECS)
is a Charter Management Organization (CMO) supporting schools in the Bronx, NY and Stamford, CT. Our programs are based on a proven, nationally recognized model, which originated in our flagship school, the Bronx Charter School for Excellence, a National Blue Ribbon School.
Our Mission and Vision
Our schools prepare young scholars to compete for admission to and succeed in top public, private, and parochial high schools by cultivating their intellectual, artistic, social, emotional, and ethical development. We accomplish this by offering a challenging and rigorous academic curriculum, which at the earliest of grades has an eye towards college preparation. To achieve this, our schools create a supportive and caring environment that at all times has high expectations of all students. We offer a differentiated, project-based learning environment that seeks to develop high-level analytic and critical thinking skills in all of our students. Our engaging and rigorous approach to educating our scholars is implemented by a collaborative team of teachers.
Who We Need
We are seeking individuals who are dedicated, ambitious, and committed to student success and education reform. Qualified candidates must demonstrate records of achievement, high degrees of personal responsibility, and the drive to do whatever it takes to ensure that every child achieves academic success. This individual must be committed to excellence, lead by example, and see collaboration as a key component of success.
Job Overview
Excellence Charter Schools seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial fundraising professional to create and lead an expanding philanthropic effort. The successful candidate will possess excellent organization and project management skills and will have the ability to quickly scale efforts. He/she must possess a passion for educational equity and public education and have experience in the New York City/Tri-State philanthropic community. Experience with charter schools, education equity or exposure to public policy and charter school advocacy is highly valued.
The Development Director will create, advance, and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy across three diverse areas of organizational need: Starting and scaling a growing networking of successful charter schools Acquiring and building/renovating school facilities Implementing broader organizational initiatives across our school network and CMO Building and expanding key relationships and contacts within and outside of the Excellence network to ensure continued revenue growth, as well as the management of strategic messaging on behalf of the organization. This position promises to be fast-paced and full of immediate opportunities to implement new and impactful initiatives and opportunities for future growth and increased responsibility. Responsibilities
Fundraising
Develop and execute a development strategy to ensure that $2.5 - $3.0 million in operating support is generated annually as well as an additional $1.0 million in capital support Create departmental systems to enhance the development platform including building a donor database, procuring resources for prospect research, and devising systems for outreach Deliver significant gifts (six- and seven-figure) particularly from institutional education-focused funders Identify emerging issues facing the sector and organization and work with staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and define and execute appropriate strategies in response Execute swift and effective crisis/rapid response communication strategies and guide leadership through events Develop and drive a strategic communications plan which supports all fundraising activities and goals Responsible for the development of all copy, print, and internal and external branded materials, including research and talking points, to ensure alignment with the strategic communications plan Maintain and develop all channels of electronic communication, including website and social media and the databases to support them Identify and cultivate a diverse base of supporters including individuals and corporation working in collaboration with the CEO and Board Propose and gain consensus on metrics that will support the success of the annual and long-term development plans and ongoing donor acquisition and cultivation efforts Create new stewardship programs/opportunities for Excellence supporters at all giving levels, ensuring that every donor has a positive philanthropic experience Cultivate relationships with existing and new supporters through site visits and ongoing updates, including periodic newsletters and annual reports Engage with diverse networks of people to ensure initiatives are met and supported, including Board, Development Committees, personnel throughout the CMO
Grant and Event Management
Work collaboratively with other stakeholders and staffers to garner programmatic information for the preparation of funding proposals as well as accurate and timely reports Oversee all aspects of the grant-writing process including:
Identifying funding sources Ensuring compelling proposals are produced Analyzing and summarizing outcomes and metrics strategically, and Submitting all required documentation in timely manner Manage and cultivate external relationships with grant funders and key supporters Oversee partnership with the Board and Development Committee to help manage all planning and implementation activities for annual CMO fundraising events Provide direction and support for school-level programs (e.g. "Name a Room" programs) Provide direction and support to Board members or key donors for any annual cultivation, "friend raising" and revenue generating events as needed.
PR & Communications
Identify emerging issues facing the sector and organization and work with staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and define and execute appropriate strategies in response Execute swift and effective crisis/rapid response communication strategies and guide leadership through events Develop and drive a strategic communications plan which supports all fundraising activities and goals Responsible for the development of all copy, print, and internal and external branded materials, including research and talking points, to ensure alignment with the strategic communications plan Maintain and develop all channels of electronic communication, including website and social media and the databases to support them Qualifications
A minimum of 7-10 years of development/fundraising experience with a demonstration of progressive responsibility and record of exceeding goals Capacity to create and establish efficient systems and procedures that can be replicated and grow independent of you Ability to build strong and strategic relationships with Board and senior volunteer leadership A desire and ability to build networks within the funding and charter school community with an eye towards delivery best practices for an institution Proven success in securing gifts as a frontline major gifts fundraiser Excellent writing and public speaking skills Experience in prospect research, internet/social media, and online fundraising Extremely team oriented Strong business acumen Demonstrated ability to handle multiple time-sensitive tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment Keen attention to detail and a high standard for accuracy Enthusiastic, entrepreneurial approach, with ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while working collaboratively and maintaining a sense of humor A self-starter with a high degree of personal integrity who has the ability to be supportive of initiatives beyond their individual department Excellent computer skills required, including Microsoft Office suite, Raisers Edge (or other fundraising database), and FundEZ A master's degree is preferred particularly a MBA. TRAVEL: Regular travel throughout the five boroughs. Minimal additional travel expected. Compensation & Benefits
Staring salary $100,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications Health Insurance, Dental, Vision 403B Retirement Plan - Employer Match Paid Time Off/Paid Sick Leave/Parental Leave/FMLA Short-term, Long-term Disability benefits and Life Insurance $5000 Tuition Reimbursement