Now Hiring - Mainspring Schools - Director of Development in Austin, TX

Full description of the position

The Opportunity

Mainspring is “the little school doing big things.” We are looking for a development professional who also believes that a small organization can make big change.

This is currently a one-person department. We recognize the demands that this can put on a development leader. However, your strategic vision and sassy implementation skills will have the enthusiastic support and direct engagement of our Board of Directors and sharp administrative team. We said it throughout the pandemic and we say it still: we are in this together.

Every day, we help children 0-5 and their families grow. We help build healthy relationships with caregivers and educators, and within our community. As the organization grows, the development department will also grow.

To get there, the Development Director will grow philanthropic support (individual, corporate, and foundation donors), steward impactful relationships for Mainspring Schools, and extend brand awareness. With your leadership, we will design and execute an ambitious local fundraising and development communication plan, provide fundraising guidance, develop communication assets, and share reporting and forecasting. This effort will secure the organizational resources needed to provide the high-quality services that give children and families the foundation to thrive.

The Development Director must have a proven track record of results in fundraising and strategic brand awareness, experience developing relationships with donors and colleagues, and energy to build a coalition of supporters.

This role reports to the Executive Director.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Development Director will collaborate with the Executive Director, Board members, and staff to develop a strong culture of philanthropy and gratitude, and to enhance donor engagement, significantly increasing size and number of gifts. Responsibilities will encompass the following areas:

Annual Giving: Individual and corporate gifts to support Mainspring and its programs. (40%)

• Create, operationalize, and manage specific aspects of the Annual Fund and its related activities, including identifying audience segments, writing solicitation appeals, developing communication channels, and managing timelines.
• Create a stewardship plan and acknowledgement letter templates for annual giving donors.
• Manage a portfolio of individual and corporate donors, identifying monthly and lead donors to cultivate and advance for higher level giving opportunities.
• Contribute to impact reporting as it relates to individual annual giving donors.

Major Gifts: Gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors (20%)

• Establish relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Design and execute engagement and stewardship plans for a new Major Gifts program.
• Strategize, coordinate and execute timely, accurate and compelling interactions with major donors in partnership with the Executive Director and Board members.
• Develop and launch comprehensive major donor initiatives, move management strategies for growing portfolio of campaign, events and annual giving, as well as planned giving.
• Engage and support the Board of Directors development and marketing committees.

Data and Financial Management (10%)

• Oversee our online giving platform (Classy).
• Ensure that all relevant information is being entered into the system accurately and efficiently.
• Ensure effective utilization of donor management software (Salesforce) and Quickbooks to track donor cultivation efforts, record contribution activity, acknowledge gifts and reconcile with accounting records.
• Provide proof of performance (including regular status updates).

Event Management and Execution (10%)

• Collaborate with BOD development and events committees on events strategy, goals, and calendar.
• Ensure and execute the timely and cost-efficient orchestration of events.
• Manage event budget, vendors, operations, volunteers and communications.

Marketing and Communications (20%)

• Collaborate on strategies to extend our brand awareness and increase our fundraising effectiveness.
• Leverage deep understanding of donors, prospects and stakeholders to create and deliver compelling and meaningful communications and events (annual fundraiser, info sessions, volunteer initiatives, etc.) that authentically engage donors, prospects and volunteers in Mainspring Schools work.
• Use email marketing platform (Mailchimp) to maintain audience lists and build campaigns.
• Oversee and update website (on Squarespace) to communicate with various organizational audiences.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, event management, grant writing and marketing; or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
• Experience with Salesforce NPSP and Classy giving platforms software.
• Skillful in cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with donors.
• Demonstrated track record of building donor relationships, working collaboratively, strategically and with integrity.
• Knowledge of funding sources and community resources available to support the work of Mainspring Schools.
• Knowledge of and ability to use a computer and other technical resources to effectively accomplish work.
• Ability to prepare for and facilitate effective meetings.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities to ensure work is completed in a timely and effective manner.
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in oral and written communication on an interpersonal and group level.
• Ability to travel to various locations for day, evening and weekend meetings and events.

Traits and Characteristics

• Good judgment and confidentiality.
• Strong knowledge of principles, ethics and practices of successful fundraising.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Passion about Mainspring Schools’ mission and values.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive compensation plan, including salary of $75,000-90,000 (dependent on experience)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation, PTO and sick time
• 401k matching
• Hybrid work model (mostly in office, but some remote work is okay)
• A diverse population of families and staff
• A dynamic and fun place to work
• The opportunity to make a real difference with underserved kids and their families

Applications

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter. A cover letter is required for consideration.

A Deeper Look at Mainspring

Mainspring Schools is a two-generation (2-gen) program that helps at-risk children and their families find success in school and life. One of the most respected early childhood programs in Texas, Mainspring was founded in 1941 and has the distinction of being the first school in the nation to be built within a federal housing project.

At our core, we are a preschool for 95 children in Austin, ages 0-5. But our larger program is built on three pillars:

High-quality early education

Health and nutrition

Comprehensive family support

Each year, we produce some of the highest kindergarten readiness rates in the state and we help entire families develop a foundation for future success. This is the little school doing big things.

A few accomplishments:

• Mainspring is among the 8% of centers in the U.S. to achieve accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
• We have the highest 4-star rating from the Texas Rising Star program, which is run by the Texas Workforce Commission.
• Our school was the first early childhood program in Texas to achieve in-district charter status (with the Austin Independent School District).
• We were recently selected by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to be part of its exclusive Replicating Great Options program.

Mainspring has earned the above accolades because of effective leadership, efficient organizational dynamics and long-standing partnerships. We believe in fiscal responsibility that takes advantage of multiple streams of revenue (including fundraising) and closely monitors expenses and investments. We also strive to operate efficiently and effectively, taking advantage of progressive processes and technologies. In addition, we believe in partnering with organizations to maximize the capabilities of all parties.

Learn more at [please apply online] Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $98,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Austin, TX 78704: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Fundraising: 5 years (Required)
• Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Austin, TX 78704