KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 270 schools, nearly 10,000 educators, and more than 160,000 students and alumni.   

• Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.  

• Vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.  

• KIPP in Oklahoma:   KIPP currently operates as two KIPP regions in Oklahoma.  KIPP OKC was founded in 2002 and serves students grades 4-8 in a middle school.  KIPP Tulsa was founded in 2005 and now serves grades 5-12 in a middle and high school.  Nationally, other same-state KIPP mergers/integrations are occurring to better leverage outcomes, scale, and sustainability.  In early 2021, the KIPP Tulsa and OKC boards approved the hire of shared Executive Director Darius Kirk and the launch of a due diligence and planning process currently underway with support from consultants and KIPP Foundation to determine whether the two regions should combine to become KIPP Oklahoma.  A decision is expected in late Fall or early Winter.  If confirmed, additional planning and preparation would occur over the remainder of 2021-2021 for the merger to be effective on July 1, 2022 for the 2022-2023 year. 

The Five Pillars of KIPP

1.      High Expectations. KIPP schools have clearly defined and measurable high expectations for academic achievement and conduct that make no excuses based on the students' backgrounds. Students, parents, teachers, and staff create and reinforce a culture of achievement and support through a range of formal and informal rewards and consequences for academic performance and behavior.

2.      Choice & Commitment. Students, their parents, and the faculty of each KIPP school choose to participate in the program. No one is assigned or forced to attend a KIPP school. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to the school and to each other to put in the time and effort required to achieve success.

3.      More Time. KIPP schools know that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success in academics and life. With an extended school day, week, and year, students have more time in the classroom to acquire the academic knowledge and skills that will prepare them for competitive high schools and colleges, as well as more opportunities to engage in diverse extracurricular experiences.

4.      Power to Lead. The principals of KIPP schools are effective academic and organizational leaders who understand that great schools require great school leaders. They have control over their school budget and personnel. They are free to swiftly move dollars or make staffing changes, allowing them maximum effectiveness in helping students learn.

5.      Focus on Results. KIPP schools relentlessly focus on high student performance on standardized tests and other objective measures. Just as there are no shortcuts, there are no excuses. Students are expected to achieve a level of academic performance that will enable them to succeed at the nation's best high schools and colleges.  Teachers will be provided consistent and constant professional development

The Opportunity

The Director of Development will work alongside the Chief Executive Officer and Board Development Chair  to ensure that all fundraising objectives are met. Responsibilities include successfully fundraising for the general operating, and special events across giving segments including individuals, foundations, corporations, and individual donors. This may also include a capital campaign to support the growth happening in KIPP Oklahoma regions.  The Director of Development will build and maintain relationships, internally and externally, to stay informed of the needs of KIPP Oklahoma – Tulsa as a whole and the individual schools specifically. The Director of Development will work closely with the CEO  to establish the strategies and targets for the Tulsa region.  This position furthers the mission of KIPP Oklahoma - Tulsa by delivering financial donations that provide funding to offset the region's annual operating deficit and position the organization for growth.

Key Responsibilities

The Director of Development will:

● Work in partnership with the Chief Development Officer to develop the strategic fundraising plan for KIPP Oklahoma -Tulsa and create a diversified funding base to sustain KIPP Oklahoma -Tulsa ongoing financial needs 

● Manage a portfolio of current donors & prospects and capture, document, and track all actions and next steps in the donor database

● Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and lapsed Tulsa donors for general operating, capital gifts, and the annual fundraising event  

● Promote KIPP Oklahoma -Tulsa through in-person, phone, and email conversations and seek out potential corporate, foundation, and individual donors

● Work in partnership with the CEO to cultivate, solicit, and steward Regional Board Members and prospects

● Assist in the preparation of board materials for Regional Board Meetings, and meetings with major donors

● Develop and execute strategies to nurture a perpetually growing list of individual donors

● Serve as representative of KIPP Oklahoma -Tulsa to external Tulsa funding community

● Develop an understanding of each KIPP Oklahoma -Tulsa school’s culture and personality to connect donors’ missions to specific school initiatives and school programs

● Connect the Development Committee members with a variety of resources that will help them with KIPP Oklahoma -Tulsa fundraising 

● Participate as an active member of the Leadership Team and lend your knowledge and skills to enhance the overall strategy and effectiveness of KIPP Oklahoma -Tulsa’s fundraising efforts

● Build and maintain internal relationships to develop knowledge of KIPP Tulsa needs and priorities across functions

● Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO

Qualifications

Education and Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• A proven track record of closing gifts of $100,000+

• 5+ years of securing major gifts, leading a team, and delivering results

• Experience with a variety of fundraising methods and techniques including direct mail campaigns, capital campaigns, and grant writing is preferable, but not required

• Experience in the public education sector is a plus 

• Experience with prospective donor research

• Knowledge of charter schools and the local philanthropic community

Skills:

• Strong record of engaging board members, and direct solicitation of major donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations

• Experience working with non-profit or education organizations in a fiscal capacity

• Comprehensive experience tracking development in relation to income projections and departmental budgets

• Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and have the ability to act in a manner that will reflect positively on the organization

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication and facilitation skills

• Personnel management experience

• Evening and weekend hours required at certain times of the year

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, MailChimp, Etapstry, and social media

• Model positive and healthy character traits and habits, such as being organized, consistent, and understanding

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the KIPP Oklahoma's mission

Compensation and Benefits:

• In addition to a competitive salary scale, KIPP Oklahoma provides a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life insurances and other ancillary benefits.

• KIPP Oklahoma does not and shall not discriminate on the race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, or status as a veteran in any of its activities or operations.

• All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.