Director of Philanthropy - Charlotte Preparatory School

Armstrong Mc Guire • Charlotte, NC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Charlotte Preparatory School is seeking a Director of Philanthropy to build and lead a comprehensive fundraising and development program. This role is crucial at a pivotal moment in the School’s growth, offering the chance to shape the future of philanthropy at a thriving independent school with strong community roots, increasing enrollment, and a clear vision for expansion. The Director will lead all fundraising efforts, including the annual fund, major gifts, campaign planning, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship. The position requires designing and executing a relationship-driven fundraising program while establishing the necessary systems, processes, and messaging for long-term sustainability. The School is in an early stage of fundraising maturity, presenting an opportunity to establish a formal major gifts program, donor pipeline, and foundational infrastructure. Fundraising in an independent school requires a nuanced, relationship-first approach that complements the parent experience and reinforces community values. The Director will articulate the case for support, highlighting the gap between tuition and the full cost of education, and engage key constituencies such as parents, grandparents, alumni, and community supporters. Charlotte Prep has a strong financial foundation and significant opportunity to expand its philanthropic reach. This is a unique opportunity for a builder and strategist to partner closely with the Head of School and Board to advance a culture of philanthropy, design and implement fundraising systems and strategy, prepare for and lead a capital campaign, and position the School for long-term sustainability and impact.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
• 10+ years of development experience with demonstrated success in major gifts and capital campaigns.
• 5+ years in executive leadership.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising strategy, donor pipeline development, and moves management.
• Experience building or scaling fundraising and development programs.
• Proven ability to engage and partner with board members and leadership volunteers.
• Experience working across systems (CRM, finance, etc.) with strong organizational, project management, and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent writing, communication, and storytelling abilities.
• Ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, including parents, faculty, board members, and the broader community.
• Understanding of independent school environments and the nuances of relationship-based fundraising (or willingness to learn quickly).
• Commitment to long-term relationship building.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree and CFRE preferred.
• Familiarity with the Charlotte philanthropic landscape a plus.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of School and Board to define philanthropic priorities, including capital and endowment planning.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and development strategy aligned with the School’s growth and future capital priorities.
• Coach and train board members, the Head of School, and other team members on their roles in philanthropy, building confidence, leveraging networks, and aligning on strategy and execution.
• Manage departmental budget and revenue goals.
• Identify and implement communication and engagement strategies to cultivate and steward relationships with families, alumni, corporate supporters, and foundations.
• Lead all core fundraising functions, including the annual fund, pipeline and moves management, major gifts development, and preparation for/execution of a capital campaign.
• Build foundational systems such as donor segmentation, portfolio management, and pipeline tracking.
• Develop a monthly schedule for donor and stakeholder engagement.
• Create and implement a donor stewardship program to recognize and thank supporters.
• Cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with current and prospective parents, grandparents, alumni, and community supporters.
• Partner closely with the Board of Trustees and Development Committee to strengthen a culture of philanthropy and expand board engagement in fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to define and support appropriate roles in philanthropy, emphasizing relationship-building, storytelling, and community engagement.
• Build and lead a development team of two staff (including yourself) with potential for future expansion.
• Manage annual fund/alumni engagement and operations/events from a strategic level.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
• Work with the Leadership Team to build trust, develop clear communication norms, and commit to shared goals and accountability.
• Bring a philanthropic lens to strategic discussions and decisions as a member of the Leadership Team.
• Contribute to the school budget by informing revenue strategy, ensuring fundraising feasibility, and aligning development goals with financial planning.
• Strengthen data and reporting capabilities (current systems include Bloomerang, FACTS, and QuickBooks, with limited integration).

Benefits

• Healthcare, dental, and vision insurance with no employee premium contribution.
• Automatic 403(b) retirement contribution for all 10- and 12-month employees with no match required.
• 50% tuition remission for up to two children for full-time employees.
• Ongoing professional development.
• Ample paid time off.
• Wellness offerings such as weekly yoga.
• Vibrant community culture supported by social events and the Sunshine Committee.
• Complimentary lunch each day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior