ORGANIZATION

KIPP is a nonprofit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools with a 20-year track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP currently serves over 100,000 students in 242 schools across the country, including Indianapolis.  KIPP Indy Public Schools (KIPP Indy) was founded in 2004 with one class of fifth grade students and has grown to educate more than 1,000 students across three schools. By the 2022-2023 school year, KIPP Indy will educate nearly 1,500 students in the Martindale-Brightwood community on the Northeast side of Indianapolis. At KIPP Indy, we believe that all children will learn and achieve at high levels if given the opportunity. Our goal is to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and character strengths they need to succeed throughout their education and in the competitive world beyond. 

The Associate Director of Development and Communications (AD-DC) will play an integral role in ensuring KIPP Indy has the resources and supports to fulfill its mission. Reporting to the Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships, the AC-DC will play an essential role in the creation of a long-term, sustainable fundraising program and an external communications strategy that promotes a positive image of the organization.

As a member of the strategic partnerships team, this individual will support region-wide goals around building strong relationships with our external partners in service of our overall mission.  This position will offer broad exposure to multiple aspects of fundraising and communications. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with experience in fundraising and nonprofit management and a commitment to education. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising Strategy and Donor Stewardship

• Design a clear vision for donor stewardship and create systems to ensure that strategies are executed by all team members who support development
• Lead stewardship communication with foundations and individual donors, and all other communications as requested
• Research, source and identify new potential donors
• Create annual plan with realistic fundraising goals and progress monitor performance systems
• Play lead role in the planning and execution of major fundraising events with a specific focus on interacting with corporate sponsors
• Coordinate with the Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships and the Executive Director to ensure vision for development is consistently executed and supports with donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship through correspondence, tours, and research
• Collaborate with Development Committee to meet fundraising goals and participate in Board Meetings to ensure team is driving progress toward fundraising goals
• Monitor trends in the community and region and adapt fundraising strategies as necessary

Grant Writing and Management

• Invest time and capacity into deeply understanding region-wide and school-team priorities and strategies 
• Develop and draft highly competitive proposals for existing institutional supporters and new prospects, including meeting with relevant stakeholders to gather additional information and data as well as ensuring all necessary resources are created and collected, including financial information 
• Ensure systems are in place to accurately track grant deadlines and record all grant materials, communicating needs proactively and early to stakeholders that may be involved  
• Lead the stewardship and renewal strategy for all current competitive grants

Strategic Communications

• Design a clear vision for organization’s website by coordinating with all relevant stakeholders on design, content and functionality, and actively managing relationship with external vendor
• Manage the organization’s website, keeping information accurate and relevant, identifying areas for improvement, and meeting with teams to ensure the website fits their needs 
• Create and implement a robust social media strategy aligned to KIPP Indy’s core values and strategies
• Execute media relations strategies with education reporters and media contacts across the city to promote positive stories of the organization
• Coordinate and manage media preparation for all stakeholders representing KIPP Indy to ensure consistency of messages and manage day-of logistics for any media visit or on-site interviews  
• Develop annual communication goals and accompanying systems to track success of external communication strategies, including media tracker, social media platforms, newsletters, etc.
• Manage the organization’s branding and aligned resources, holding staff accountable to branding norms and policies  
• Create all development marketing materials and support teams with marketing material creation as needed 

Team Operations

• Create and manage strategic plans for both Development and Communications departments
• Manage Donation Management Software 
• Process donations and execute tax acknowledgements 
• Lead all development team meetings, prioritizing relevant discussion items and updates
• Order and maintain promotional items and materials used for donor meetings and stewardship 

Competencies Needed

• Writes clearly, concisely and persuasively. Uses correct grammar, vocabulary and a tone that is appropriate to the message and audience 
• Backwards plans and manages times and resources effectively 
• Takes initiative and follows through on all commitments  
• Seeks to understand the needs and motivations of students, and makes decisions with student best interests and needs in mind 
• Builds relationships with and gains the trust of key stakeholders  
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, and to keep long-terms projects on track while flexibly responding to short-term needs
• Strong leadership skills and an ability to take initiative, solve problems, think strategically, and seek out creative ideas
• Anticipates reactions and addresses concerns of others to help persuade them to move toward a goal
• Stimulates others to act and accomplish goals, even when no direct reporting relationship exists
• Sets team and individual goals with employees that align with organization vision and mission

• Unwavering commitment to KIPP Indy’s mission 
• Exceptional organizational, writing and communication skills 
• Bachelor’s degree 
• 4 years of full time-work experience; preferably at least two years demonstrated successful non-profit fundraising experience
• Experience with media relations and management of social media channels

COMPENSATION
Salary is competitive, commensurate with experience, and includes benefits. Teachers are also eligible for performance-based bonuses.

KIPP Indy Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.