SY 24-25 Fundraising Associate - Compass Collegiate Academy

School Mission

Compass Collegiate Academy provides every scholar with the academic foundation and strong habits that inspire and cultivate lifelong learners who lead purposeful, civic lives.

Compass Collegiate Academy strives to create a diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist community. People from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

School Overview

Compass Collegiate Academy (CCA) is a public charter school that opened in Charleston, South Carolina with grades K-1 in August of 2021. The school will add a grade each year thereafter until it is a full K-8 school serving approximately 720 scholars. In the 24-25 school year, CCA will have grades K-4 and approximately 150 students. CCA has intentionally built its school model and structured its budget to ensure that the student body is representative of the student population in North Charleston and the Charleston peninsula, the school’s geographic target area. CCA is driven by the following core beliefs for its school model:

All Means All - The school will operate with a non-negotiable belief in the potential of every child. Every adult employed at the school will operate with a daily mindset that every scholar can achieve at high levels irrespective of a scholar’s family income, disability, language proficiency or prior developmental experience.

Rigorous Curriculum - The school’s rigorous curriculum and academic program is designed to assist scholars to acquire a foundation of knowledge and advanced literacy skills in the early grades that will prepare scholars to undertake higher order analysis, evaluation, and critical thinking skills in later grades.

An Intentional Commitment to Scholar Social and Emotional Growth - Preparing scholars for successful secondary and postsecondary pursuits involves growing both sharp minds and big hearts. CCA will focus on helping scholars to better understand their own identities, their communities, and how to successfully build relationships with peers across lines of difference. Scholars will develop character strengths such as kindness, determination, curiosity, gratitude and integrity and will be better equipped to positively impact their diverse local communities and world.

High-Quality Staff - The school will have a robust hiring and development model based on some of the nation’s best public schools to ensure a high-quality teaching and learning environment for scholars. Teachers and leaders will be respected as skilled practitioners and professionals in a culture that prioritizes continuous growth and development for adults as well as scholars. 

Personalized Learning through Data-Driven Instruction - Through a continuous cycle of assessment, analysis, and action, the school will identify personalized needs to close academic gaps while also differentiating instruction for scholars with more advanced achievement. 

Parental Involvement and Intentional Community - The school values families as partners in the academic growth and human development of scholars. Families can expect daily updates on scholar progress, weekly phone communication and availability with a scholar’s teacher, open doors to the school, and access to workshops and seminars on childhood human development. The school will intentionally cultivate a supportive school community among diverse families.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Fundraising Associate to join our team on a part-time or contract basis. The Fundraising Associate will play a pivotal role in developing and executing fundraising strategies to support our school's programs, initiatives, and capital projects.

Responsibilities and Duties:

General Responsibilities

• Collaborate with school administration, faculty, and parent-teacher organizations to identify fundraising needs and priorities.

• Develop comprehensive fundraising plans and strategies tailored to the school's goals and objectives.

• Research and identify potential donors, sponsors, and grant opportunities aligned with the school's mission and values.

• Cultivate relationships with existing and prospective donors through personalized communication, stewardship efforts, and donor recognition initiatives.

• Lead and coordinate fundraising events, campaigns, and initiatives, including but not limited to annual giving campaigns, donor appeals, and special events.

• Provide guidance and support to volunteer fundraising committees, ensuring effective coordination and execution of fundraising activities.

• Monitor and evaluate fundraising efforts, tracking progress towards fundraising goals and making recommendations for adjustments as needed.

• Prepare compelling fundraising materials, including grant proposals, request letters, and marketing collateral, to engage donors and stakeholders.

• Stay informed about trends and best practices in fundraising, philanthropy, and nonprofit management, applying relevant insights to enhance the school's fundraising efforts.

• Work with Executive Director and Director of Operations to record gifts according to established protocol and send gift acknowledgement letters in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

• Proven experience in fundraising, development, or donor relations, preferably within the education sector or nonprofit organizations.

• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and strategies, including annual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grant writing.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate the school's mission and fundraising priorities persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, volunteers, and community stakeholders.

• Highly organized with exceptional project management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.

• Creative thinker with the ability to develop innovative fundraising initiatives and campaigns.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising software platforms (e.g., DonorPerfect, Raiser's Edge).

• Commitment to upholding ethical fundraising practices and maintaining donor confidentiality.

Ability to:

• Work hard to achieve the school’s mission.

• Improve the minds, bodies, and lives of scholars in and out of the classroom.

• Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written language.

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with a variety of people. 

• Engage families and the larger community in the life of the school.

We Offer:

• A part-time, flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends.

• A supportive and energetic team environment.

• Opportunities for professional growth and community impact.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with your experience. Compass Collegiate Academy full-time employees are provided with a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, retirement plan, parental leave, and a laptop.

All employment with CCA is AT-WILL and nothing contained in this job description or in any other document provided by CCA creates a contract of employment for a specified term. In at-will employment, both the employee and employer retain the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and with or without any advance notice.

Compass Collegiate Academy is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, sex, or any other protected characteristic, as may be required by law.