Our Mission

The mission of all of KIPP Massachusetts schools is to create an environment where students develop the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college and the world beyond. Our program is based on:

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.
• A high regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.
• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.
• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future.

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, Multilingual Learners (MLL), and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Vision

At KIPP Massachusetts, we believe that Knowledge is Power. Every day, our team and family have the opportunity to either perpetuate systems of oppression or disrupt them. We are compelled by the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Therefore, we continuously commit to operating as an anti-racist organization.  Read more at Diversity Equity Inclusivity Vision.

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two “districts.” Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA.  Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more “campuses,” which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter.  Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 66% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 23% are African American and 11% are other races/ethnicities.

In Boston, KIPP Academy Boston Elementary (serving grades K-4), and KIPP Academy Boston (serving grades 5-8), are both under our Boston charter.  Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district, K-8. 68% of our students in Boston are African American, 30% are Hispanic and 2% are other races/ethnicities.

Across both districts, KIPP Massachusetts serves over 2,200 students.

KIPP National

KIPP Massachusetts partners with the KIPP Foundation, or KIPP National, which is a non-profit national network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving elementary, middle and high school students.  KIPP National has a 25-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life.

There are 242 KIPP schools in 20 states plus the District of Columbia educating over 100,000 students on their path to and through college and career.  We believe that excellent academic, safe and structured schools, empowered teachers, an emphasis on character development and support through college are the foundation for student success, and we strive to provide this for every student.

All KIPP schools, whether they are in Massachusetts or in other states, are part of the free public school system in their respective states and enrollment is open to all students.  KIPP public charter schools are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to deliver high-quality academic results for students.

Development Manager

This is a varied and dynamic role, as well as a critical one, within the KIPP MA Development and Communications team. The team is focused on driving and supporting strategy for the organization through revenue generation and strategic partnerships. The team ensures KIPP Massachusetts can provide current and future KIPP MA schools with the resources necessary to educate students and families in underserved communities so that they may lead lives of independence and impact.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Development and Communications, the Development Manager will be primarily responsible for front-line fundraising, cultivating and maintaining investor and partner relationships, identifying new KIPP MA supporters, development administrative support,  as well as maintaining and deepening relationships with established KIPP MA champions.

This is an ideal opportunity for an individual who is passionate about education equity and accessibility, has a relentless drive to deliver results, and who is motivated and empowered by the opportunity to serve as an external leader for KIPP MA, galvanizing diverse stakeholders in support of KIPP MA’s mission.

This role requires someone with strong technical skills, including communication and writing. This role will have 4 key buckets of responsibilities:

• Annual Fund:  You will be responsible for donor acquisition, engagement, and stewardship and you will manage a portfolio of supporters (funders that give $100-$10,000 annually) through recognition, engagement, and stewardship practices
• Grant Management: Write and manage a portfolio of foundation relationships for grants that are between $10,000-$25,000
• Administrative: Donor Recognition, Database, and Mailings Management. You will support the Development team in ongoing donor relationship management through briefings, tours, acknowledgements, database entry and analysis, and donor thank yous and recognition.
• Corporate Partnerships and Volunteer Engagement at KIPP MA

Responsibilities of this Role:

Annual Fund: Donor Acquisition, Engagement, & Stewardship (50%)

Acquisition: 

• Drive the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a portfolio of approximately 50 donors. 
• Drive the engagement of new and existing donors (between $1,000 and $10,000) to ensure that 90% of donors renew their gift. This role will be responsible for securing $200,000, of our annual fundraising goal of $1.4 million, in individual donor giving from your portfolio toward the organization’s annual fundraising goals; with a focus on increasing giving from donors below $1,000.
• Work with teammates on creating engagement opportunities for new and existing donors which could include welcome gift packages, tours, classroom visits, as well as possible virtual experiences.
• Provide an exceptional donor experience that enhances giving and attracts new investors in KIPP’s mission through regular engagement. Execute on timely post-meeting follow up and tracking of activities in Raiser’s Edge.
• Identify and qualify prospects for further cultivation. This could include researching potential individual, corporate, and foundation partners and creating a strategy to approach and engage 
• This role will be critical in campaign rollout, delivery, and gift acquisition. 

Engagement & Stewardship:

• In coordination and partnership with the MD of Development and Communications, and the Manager of Comms and Marketing, determine a calendar of annual appeals to reach all donors 
• Execute said calendar (via direct mail, electronic mail, phone solicitations) with defined messaging and segmentation strategies for each;
• Own all in person tours with current and prospective donors (including foundation leaders) and include key stakeholders (MD, Chiefs, ED) as necessary - you will be responsible for conducting at least 1 tour a month
• Manage (in partnership with the communications team) the annual appeals we send all annual fund supporters 
• Support the team in cultivation of new donors through the timely follow up with visitors and other key stakeholders/prospects
• Execute donor research in advance of visits and prospect meetings; generate briefing for MD of Devo & Comms or ED in advance of donor meetings
• Create and provide meaningful stewardship efforts quarterly for our top-tier donors, and to your portfolio of donors, that impress them and help them see how impactful their support of KIPP is. 

Annual Fund: Grant Research, Writing, Report, and General Management (30%):

• Manage all grants between $10,000-$25,000 to generate revenue 20% of foundation/corporate fundraising goal for KIPP MA programs through timely submission of well-researched, well written and well-documented grant proposals 
  • Study and understand the history, structure, objectives, programs and financial needs of the organization
  • Research grants opportunities from government and non-government agencies.
  • Work with appropriate staff members to research, develop, write and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers and grant proposals
  • Maintain primary responsibility for grant schedules and tracking grants
  • Coordinate and follow-up on the progress of submitted proposals
  • Generate high-quality proposals, narratives, applications and supporting documents in response to solicitations consistent with all policies and procedures of KIPP MA, and the requirements and guidelines of the funding agencies
• Develop and maintain a master file on all pending grants, confirmed awards, and contracts
• Remain up-to-date on current issues relative to grant proposals
• Conduct research for new grant opportunities for KIPP MA and share with MD 
• Complete all corporate foundation grant requests (simple process and no reporting necessary)

Administrative: Donor Recognition, Database, and Mailings Management (10%)

• Manage Raiser’s Edge database, mailing lists, and mailings
• Lead data input of new donors and contacts, gifts and actions
• Manage donor recognition process, including thank you packages, plaques, personal notes/calls from the team, and other forms of recognition within one week of gift receipt 
• Reconcile gifts and run weekly and monthly data reports to share progress 
• Lead 1:1 monthly meetings with MD to review data and required actions
• Maintain health of the database by performing monthly health checks for duplicates, open actions, and open pledges.

Corporate Partnerships & Volunteer Engagement (5%):

• Manage on the ground logistics with corporate partnership volunteer opportunities
• Work with MD of Development & Communications to identify opportunities for in-kind donations or donations from corporate partners

Experience and Knowledge

• A Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 1-2 years of professional fundraising or grant writing experience- preferably with an education focus
• Proven ability and track record of soliciting and closing five and six figure gifts or grants preferred

Skills and abilities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, appropriate and compelling for a senior, external audience
• Self-starter with an intense focus on results and the ability to persevere through challenges to reach goals
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to work in person in Boston or Lynn 
• Detail-oriented, responsive, and organized professional 
• Ability to problem solve, navigate and lead through complexity
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development
• Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times
• Competency in donor database management, Raiser’s Edge NXT experience a plus
• Previous experience with advocacy and community engagement a plus
• Previous experience in the charter realm a plus
• COVID-19 vaccination required, unless medically or religiously exempt

Competencies

• A belief in the mission and values of KIPP
• Committed to the belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels
• Passion for education equality and access
• Motivated by a fast-paced, diverse, collaborative working environment
• A flexible can-do approach, self-motivation, resilience and a willingness to adapt to the changing needs and priorities in the team and across the organization
• Considerable tact and discretion in dealing with highly confidential information
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity 

Regional Responsibilities

• Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively
• Must be able and willing to spend time in schools 
• COVID-19 vaccination required, unless medically or religiously exempt
• Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

What We Offer

Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits plan, with a competitive employer contribution toward premiums for health insurance, including coverage for spouse/domestic partner and/or children. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, flexible PTO, life insurance, work-life balance benefits, paid family and medical leaves, flexible spending account options, parenting and elder care benefits, free access to financial coaching and services, commuter benefits, 403(b) plans, individualized coaching, and referral bonuses. KIPP MA may offer a relocation stipend to help defray the cost of moving for this role, where applicable.

All staff and educators at KIPP MA are committed to anti-racism and inclusion, are part of a close-knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same. For more information on the benefits of joining KIPP MA, please view our Employee Value Proposition.