Director of Donor Development

UNITED CHRISTIAN ACADEMY•Rancho Cucamonga, CA

About The Position

The Director of Donor Development is a dynamic and mission-driven leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of the school’s fundraising and development initiatives. This role will focus on creating and executing strategies to secure financial resources, increase community engagement, and build long-term relationships with donors, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders. As part of the Admin team, the Director of Development will play a key role in advancing the mission and vision of United Christian Academy, a K-12 Christian school, by ensuring the sustainability of the school through effective and ethical fundraising practices. UCA recognizes administrators as an integral part of the 5-fold ministry given to the church in Ephesians 4:1-13. As such, UCA administrators serve as ministers to help advance the mission and vision of United Christian Academy.

Requirements

Must be a born-again Christian.
Must be a credible Christian role model whose godly lifestyle and character demonstrate obedience to God and the Holy Bible.
Must be able to support and comply with the school’s Statement of Faith and Statement of Conduct.
Support Patria Church and the leadership team.
Must be a member of an evangelical, Bible-believing church.
Must have sufficient health and physical endurance to be able to complete the assigned responsibilities.
Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a positive and supportive manner with a variety of stakeholders, including school & church leadership, staff, donors, and the community.
Proficiency in fundraising software and Microsoft Office Suite.
Must have experience working in all social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn
Must have good verbal and written communication skills, with proper command of the English language.
Must be able to work well independently, manage time well, and handle multiple tasks.
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field; Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, development, or nonprofit management, preferably in a K-12 or Christian education environment.
Proven track record of successful fundraising, donor cultivation, and team leadership.
First Aid/CPR Certification.
TB clearance within the last four years.
Criminal Justice fingerprint clearance.
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: An Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) will be required along with the supporting documents listed on the I-9 form.
Integrate UCA’s mission and core values into all development and donor relations activities.
Displays a personal decorum that models professionalism, modesty, and good taste
Models Christian virtues in attitude, speech, and action
Exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23)
Models and cultivates habits of prayer, faith, and encouragement in self and others.
Commits and contributes to a local church.
Demonstrate continual growth in biblical knowledge and spiritual maturity.
Develops and maintains rapport with students, parents, and colleagues to promote a positive school atmosphere.
Possesses a solid and growing knowledge of the Scripture and Christianity
Ensure that all development efforts align with UCA’s mission and contribute to the spiritual and educational growth of students.
Maintains a lifestyle that promotes health and endurance necessary for the position.
Maintains good attendance.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience in major gift fundraising, capital campaigns, and grant writing is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to support the school’s annual operating budget, capital projects, endowment, and special initiatives.
Lead and oversee fundraising campaigns, including annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
Work closely with the Superintendent and the executive team to set and achieve fundraising goals.
Support the process by which the school increases public understanding of its mission and to accomplish its goals.
Work with admissions department to develop and cultivate engagement strategies to foster relationships between UCA and new families.
Establish a process through which families are guided and nurtured from their first experience as prospective families to becoming a thriving and supportive part UCA.
Support all Eagle Vision Annual Fund/Gala efforts.
Work with school leadership to determine Eagle Vision goal(s) for the year
Work with Superintendent and Major Gifts Officer on strategy
Recruit an Eagle Vision planning committee to assist with planning efforts
Coordinate all event details and program logistics for Eagle Vision Annual Gala
Create messaging for all promotional material (i.e. save the dates, invitations, event program, graphics, screen slides, etc.)
Develop a quality program consisting of student and alumni testimonials, engaging videos, and student performances
Oversee all event elements (i.e. catering details, event décor, sound/lighting needs)
Manage Eagle Vision follow-up process
Cultivate and maintain strong, positive relationships with major donors, alumni, parents, local businesses, and church communities.
Create and implement a donor stewardship program to ensure that donors feel valued and informed about the impact of their gifts.
Manage a portfolio of key donor relationships, ensuring regular communication, recognition, and meaningful engagement.
Maintain an active database of donors and donations and send correspondence as needed: Quartely Newsletter Donation Thank You Letters Eagle Vision Letters Christmas Letters End of Year Giving Statements Other Appeal Letters, as needed
Collaborates with the Director of Marketing & Advancement to coordinate and oversee community events, workshops, and forums to encourage active participation and dialogue between UCA and our community of stakeholders.
Establish and maintain partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and other organizations to collaborate on school initiatives.
Execute a comprehensive communications plan.
Manage key messaging for entire school community.
Proof and/or edit all external facing content and publications.
Run inquiry reports and analyze tracking data to inform marketing strategies.
Partners with the marketing department to develop messaging for advertising campaigns including, but not limited to: Postcard mailings Radio spots Newspaper and magazine advertisements Community billboards or mall advertisements Local sports arena advertising (i.e. Quakes, Ontario Reign) Search engine marketing and optimization
Help facilitate major fundraising events.
Oversee and manage the development budget, ensuring resources are used efficiently to achieve strategic objectives.
Advocate for community interests within the organization, providing insights and recommendations to senior management on policy and program development.
Collaborate with the marketing department to design and execute surveys and other feedback mechanisms to gauge community needs, perceptions, and satisfaction levels with the school’s efforts.