Education Fundraising Director: Growth & Impact

Chattanooga Preparatory School; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Chattanooga Preparatory School seeks a Director of Development to lead day-to-day fundraising and build a sustainable program aligned with the school’s mission. You will own donor systems, pipeline cultivation, grants, and development operations in partnership with the CEO and Marketing Director.

The role is hands-on with no direct reports, requiring hands-on execution, prospect research, proposals, and donor stewardship to drive dollars raised and donor retention.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in fundraising or related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
• Proven success cultivating, soliciting, and securing commitments.
• Experience building and managing a donor pipeline via a CRM.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Willingness to attend occasional evening and weekend events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan aligned with goals across multiple channels.
• Identify and qualify new prospects to build a robust donor pipeline.
• Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through meetings and proposals.
• Manage a portfolio of donors with clear strategies and next steps.
• Prepare CEO for major donor meetings and convert relationships into opportunities.
• Engage board members in introductions, cultivation, and fundraising activity.
• Collaborate with Grant Writer to maintain grant calendar and strategy.
• Build a donor stewardship system demonstrating impact and retention.
• Maintain donor records, forecasts, and development dashboards.
• Coordinate donor communications with Marketing and events teams.
• Plan and execute fundraising events with clear goals and ROI.
• Assist CEO with development budget and regular fundraising reporting.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor Cultivation

Strategic Planning

Pipeline Management

Grant Writing

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM / Donor DB

Grant mgmt software

Job description

Chattanooga Preparatory School seeks a Director of Development to lead day-to-day fundraising and build a sustainable program aligned with the school’s mission. You will own donor systems, pipeline cultivation, grants, and development operations in partnership with the CEO and Marketing Director.

The role is hands-on with no direct reports, requiring hands-on execution, prospect research, proposals, and donor stewardship to drive dollars raised and donor retention.