Development Director

Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg (CSAGH); Mechanicsburg (Cumberland County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg seeks a Development Director to lead revenue-generation strategies and a comprehensive development plan, including annual fund, major gifts, grants, and community partnerships, while overseeing donor stewardship and fundraising events.

You will work with the Chief Advancement Officer, support the School Board, and drive EITC and sponsorship programs, with strong focus on strategic planning, donor cultivation, and leadership across multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in development, fundraising, or nonprofit leadership.
• Demonstrated experience with grant writing and grant management.
• Proven track record of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Proficiency with donor database/CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang).
• Excellent communication, organization, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, lead, and execute the school's annual development plan, including annual fund, major gifts, and grant strategy.
• Set fundraising goals and benchmarks; track and report progress.
• Research, write, and submit grant proposals; manage grant lifecycle, compliance, and reporting.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and key donor relationships.
• Develop planned giving and endowment opportunities as the program matures.
• Build and maintain donor relations and stewardship plans; ensure timely acknowledgments and tax receipting.
• Plan and oversee development events; recruit volunteers and manage budgets.
• Grow business sponsorships and lead the EITC program; maintain CRM data integrity.
• Provide strategic support to the Chief Advancement Officer; prepare development updates for leadership and the School Board.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Grant writing

Event planning

Nonprofit leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Bloomerang CRM

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Location: Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg

Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried

Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer

Job Summary:

As the Development Director, you are responsible for leading and driving revenue-generating strategies to support the CSAGH's mission and growth. You will design and execute the school's comprehensive development plan — including the annual fund, major gifts, grants, and community partnerships — while overseeing donor stewardship, fundraising events, and the business partnership program. You will work closely with and provide strategic support to the Chief Advancement Officer and represent development efforts to the School Board as needed. This role is ideal for a strategic, relationship-driven leader with strong experience in fundraising, project management, and leadership.

Desired Attributes:

• Professes a strong Christian faith in Jesus Christ and demonstrates regular attendance at a Bible-believing church aligned with the CSAGH Statement of Faith.
• Agrees with and upholds the principles outlined in Articles II, III, and XII, section 1 of the Constitution of the Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
• Exhibits a clear commitment to Christian Education and a wholehearted embrace of CSAGH's vision.
• Demonstrates servant leadership and models the school's faith and mission in donor and community relationships.
• Be willing to work as a team member or independently as projects require.
• Self-motivated, dynamic, well-organized, detail-oriented, efficient, and adaptable individual.
• Cultivates healthy and positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues, school administration, board members, and business partners.
• Capacity to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for events.
• Willing to engage in professional development training as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, lead, and execute the school's annual development plan, including annual fund, major gifts, and grant strategy, in alignment with the school's strategic plan and mission.
• Set fundraising goals and benchmarks in collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer; track and report progress against those goals.
• Research, write, and submit grant proposals; manage the full grant lifecycle including tracking, compliance, and reporting.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and key donor relationships.
• Explore and develop planned giving and endowment opportunities as the program matures.

2) Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Build and maintain long-term relationships with alumni, parents, grandparents, church partners, and community donors.
• Develop and implement donor stewardship plans, ensuring timely gift acknowledgment, accurate tax receipting, and meaningful donor recognition.
• Maintain high-quality, consistent communication with donors, community partners, and internal stakeholders to foster trust and promote the school's mission.

3) Development Events

• Plan, oversee, and execute development events, including RACE, CSAGH Golf Classic, and other donor appreciation events, fundraising campaigns, and community outreach activities.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers and committee members supporting events and campaigns.
• Manage event budgets and vendor relationships.

4) Business Partnerships & EITC

• Own and grow the business sponsorship program, cultivating relationships that provide mutually beneficial, sustained support for the school's goals.
• Lead the EITC program, including participant communication, prospecting new participants, and scheduling and facilitating meetings.
• Establish and refine systems and processes to ensure development initiatives are executed efficiently, on time, and in alignment with organizational goals.
• Maintain and oversee the integrity of the donor database/CRM, ensuring accurate records and giving history.
• Provide strategic support to the Chief Advancement Officer, including scheduling, reporting, budget input, and long-range planning.
• Prepare and present development reports and fundraising updates to leadership and the School Board as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive experience in development, fundraising, or nonprofit leadership required.
• Demonstrated experience with grant writing and grant management required.
• Proven track record of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events required.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• High degree of skill with Microsoft Office Suite; proficiency with donor database/CRM systems (e.g., Bloomerang) required.
• Exceptional phone, email, written and oral communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and competently present data to varied audiences, including the Board.
• Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.
• Follows policies and procedures while exercising independent judgment and strategic decision-making.
• Prioritizes and plans work activities across multiple concurrent projects; uses time efficiently and sets goals and objectives.
• Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Meets deadlines, completes work in a timely manner, strives to increase productivity, and works quickly.
• Flexible to work minimal overtime, including evenings and weekends for events.
• Ability to travel between school campuses and events as required, valid PA driver’s license in good standing.
• Willing to engage in professional development training as needed.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to stand, sit, move around the office for extended periods, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Lifting, bending, and carrying materials and supplies.
• Operate a computer and other office machinery such as a copy machine.
• Effective communication, both verbal and written, and listen regularly.