School Network Staff Associate, Development
Job Description
Start Date: Immediate
Team: Development
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
About Achievement First:
Achievement First, a non-profit 501(c)3 charter school management organization, operates over 30 public charter schools in Brooklyn, Connecticut and Rhode Island. The mission of Achievement First is to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all children, regardless of race or economic status. Achievement First currently educates more than 12,600 students in historically underserved neighborhoods, with over 90% of our students identifying as Black and Latino. With its college-preparatory focus, the Achievement First approach is attaining breakthrough academic gains throughout the network. Beyond our students and schools, Achievement First is an engaged and prominent partner in the larger conversation about how to improve public education and student achievement in our country.
Achievement First’s approach to teaching and learning enables every student to succeed at the highest levels. This involves:
- Recruiting and developing successful teachers and school leaders and empowering them to use student data to strategically drive instruction;
- Creating a joyful school culture where it is “cool to be smart” that emphasizes character education and focuses students on college;
- Providing students with more time on task and intense intervention when they are struggling so that no child falls through the cracks.
For more information about Achievement First’s mission, approach, schools and team, please visit our website at www.achievementfirst.org.
Summary
Team Development secures the philanthropic resources necessary for students, teachers, and leaders to thrive and for the network to serve as an exemplar in public education. The associate will report to the director of development and play an important role in securing grant support for Connecticut and Rhode Island operations. The associate will also support the development of strong relationships with individuals, foundations and corporations who share our vision for equity in education. In addition, the associate will support the cultivation, stewardship and solicitation of compassionate, generous contributors. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a team that raises in excess of $20 million annually and to hone effective development skills while advancing the sustainability of one of the leading education reform organizations in the country.
Responsibilities of the development associate will include but are not limited to:
- Grant Writing and Management
- Lead grant writing for CT and RI foundations as a key component of Team Development’s annual and/or multi-year strategy
- Collaborate across departments at the Network and school-levels to execute compelling and timely proposals and reports that faithfully and knowledgeably communicate Achievement First’s successes and challenges
- Support co-CEO, VP and/or Director in hosting funder meetings and site visits as a part of the grant making due diligence process
- Donor Cultivation and Stewardship
- Develop clear, compelling and high-quality materials to introduce prospective donors to Achievement First and/or support fundraising and donor stewardship, including managing annual appeals and campaigns
- Administrative
- Track progress toward goal for a team that raises in excess of $20 million in private revenue
- Maintain contact and gift records in Raiser’s Edge and Salesforce database for a portfolio of contributors
- Assist team members in planning and execution of board meetings, school visits, and other fundraising/special events as necessary
Skills and Characteristics
- Excellent and persuasive communicator as demonstrated by exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to differentiate internal stakeholder communications from those intended for external stakeholders
- Highly organized, with superior attention to detail and the ability to manage, prioritize, and ensure the completion of multiple projects
- Resourceful in pursuit of outcomes, seeking clarity in ambiguity and calmly handling the unanticipated
- Interest in performing a critical grant-writing role while learning in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Willing to learn and improve, self-reflective, receptive to constructive feedback
- Able to connect with others and build effective professional relationships
- Healthy curiosity about all aspects of Achievement First, eager to learn more about and support the larger mission and vision by engaging in network opportunities outside of Team Development
- Belief in and passion for the Achievement First mission and educational model
- Solid technical skills, including proficiency with Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), experience with Google Drive, Raiser’s Edge, and Salesforce a plus
- Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude
Educational Background and Work Experience
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3-5 years work experience, consistently meeting or exceeding performance goals
- Prior grant writing, development or consulting experience a plus
This position will require occasional evening work and travel within Connecticut and between Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island.
Compensation
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Additionally, Achievement First offers a comprehensive benefits package.
