Development Director, St. Laurence Catholic School, Upper Darby, PA, Delaware County

The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia; Upper Darby (Delaware County); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Archdiocese Of Philadelphia is seeking a Development Director for St. Laurence Catholic School in Upper Darby, PA. This key role involves designing and implementing fundraising initiatives and donor relations, working to sustain the school's mission.

Applicants should have a relevant bachelor’s degree, 3 years of experience in fundraising, and strong communication skills. Preferred candidates are practicing Catholics with familiarity in nonprofit or educational settings.

This permanent full-time position includes a commitment to training through the Archdiocese.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in fundraising or development work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Organize and execute all school fundraisers.
• Initiate and maintain contact with donors.
• Write grants for school initiatives.
• Collaborate to communicate the school's mission.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Grant Writing

Communication skills

Project Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Donor database software

Office productivity tools

Job description

Development Director, St. Laurence Catholic School, Upper Darby, PA, Delaware County

Level: Elementary

Jun 12 2026

Job Title: Development Director

Job Status: Permanent/Full Time

The Development Director is a vital member of the Catholic Elementary School leadership team, responsible for designing, coordinating, and implementing all fundraising, development, and donor relations activities. This individual fosters strong relationships with donors, alumni, and the broader school community to promote the school’s mission, secure necessary funding, and support long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Development

• Organize, manage, and execute all school fundraisers including annual campaigns, events, and targeted drives.
• Develop and implement strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Solicit donations and sponsorships for scholarships and operational support.
• Grow and maintain support through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and private scholarships.

Donor and Alumni Engagement

• Initiate and maintain regular contact with donors to strengthen relationships and encourage continued support.
• Acknowledge all gifts with prompt and personalized thank-you letters or notes.
• Maintain and update a comprehensive alumni database.
• Write grants that will help pay for goals and initiatives of the school’s administration.
• Keep alumni informed of school news, events, and opportunities for engagement through newsletters, email, and social media.

Communications and Public Relations

• Collaborate with school leadership to develop materials that effectively communicate the mission and achievements of the school.
• Promote development initiatives within the parish and broader community.
• Provide regular updates and reports to the Board of Limited Jurisdiction on development activities and school events.

Board and School Involvement

• Serve as a member of the Home and School Association Board.
• Maintain close communication with the Board of Limited Jurisdiction regarding school milestones, development goals, fundraising progress and new initiatives.
• Represent the development office at school events and public functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or development work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to solicit donations and steward donors effectively.
• Familiarity with Catholic education and a commitment to its mission.
• Proficiency with donor database software and office productivity tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail.
• Grant Writing.

Preferred Attributes

• Practicing Catholic with an understanding of Catholic school culture.
• Experience working in an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Creative, energetic, and self-motivated with strong organizational skills.

If the position is offered, the candidate will be required to complete the “Protecting God’s Children” training through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Additional information regarding this training can be found here.