Director of Individual Giving

Yellowstone Schools

 

Department: Advancement 

Reports to: Director of Development

 

Full-time, Exempt

12-Month Calendar

 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising or related roles, preferably in an educational or nonprofit setting
• Familiarity with the education sector and understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities is a plus

 

Organizational Overview

Founded in 2001 and rooted in the Christian faith, Yellowstone Schools* collectively educates 600 children in Pre-K through 9th grade and will grow a grade each year to serve 12th grade by 2026. Yellowstone partners with students and families—regardless of financial means—to provide a life-changing education, develop a strong moral foundation, and prepare scholars for life beyond high school. The K12 campus is located in the Third Ward, one of Houston's oldest historically Black neighborhoods.

 

Most students served live in communities without access to strong educational opportunities. With an average class size of 16 to 18, our students experience a rich academic and co-curricular model while receiving bus transportation, two meals a day, and access to a comprehensive student support program.

 

Position Overview:

Yellowstone Schools is seeking a talented and passionate individual to join our growing advancement team. This new fundraising position offers an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to shape and define the role. You will have ample room for growth, the ability to develop and influence the roles and responsibilities of the position, and the opportunity to make the job your own.

 

The Director of Individual Giving will play a crucial role in advancing our mission to provide high-quality education and comprehensive support services to children from underserved communities, ensuring the long-term sustainability of Yellowstone Schools.

 

Primary Responsibilities

The Director of Individual Giving will manage a portfolio of donors. This position is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive and strategic cultivation and solicitation plans for major gift prospects, including event-planning, bequests, and multi-year gifts. The position plays a critical role in the overarching strategies and success of annual fundraising, in addition to ongoing donor activities including identification, cultivation, and stewardship. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects, including individuals, foundations, and corporations, to secure significant financial support.
• Plan and execute donor cultivation events, including donor recognition dinners, exclusive tours, and other engagement opportunities, to deepen relationships with stakeholders and provide them with meaningful experiences tied to the mission of Yellowstone.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing donors, providing exceptional stewardship and engaging them in the organization's mission.
• Create personalized cultivation strategies tailored to donors’ philanthropic interests and capacity.
• Regularly meet with donors, both individually and in group settings, to share updates, discuss impact, and seek additional support.

 

Major Gifts Fundraising:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to meet annual revenue goals and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Yellowstone Schools.
• Prepare compelling proposals, grant applications, and other materials for soliciting major gifts, showcasing the impact and effectiveness of Yellowstone Schools' programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the advancement team to coordinate major gift campaigns, ensuring effective donor recognition and acknowledgment.

 

Prospect Research and Pipeline Management:

• Conduct thorough research to identify potential major gift prospects, assessing their capacity, interests, and connections to Yellowstone Schools.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of prospective major donors, tracking interactions and progress through the donor cultivation cycle.
• Utilize donor management systems and databases to record accurate and up-to-date donor information, interactions, and solicitation strategies.

 

Collaborative Engagement:

• Collaborate closely with the advancement team, executive leadership, and board members to align major gift strategies with organizational goals and priorities.
• Provide support and guidance to staff, volunteers, and board members involved in major gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Represent Yellowstone Schools at external events, conferences, and networking opportunities to expand the organization's visibility and donor base.

 

Competencies & Attributes:

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and inspire donors, board members, and other stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills, including writing, proofreading skills, and speaking
• Proven track record of successfully cultivating and soliciting major gifts from individuals, foundations, or corporations
• Ability to accomplish projects with little supervision
• High expectations for quality
• Ability to work evenings and weekends
• Self-motivated, self-directed, and a quick learner
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic setting; meets deadlines
• Proficiency in using donor management software and databases for tracking and reporting
• Practices sound judgment and demonstrates cultural competency in communicating with diverse audiences, especially around current racial, socioeconomic, and political climates
• Collaborates with advancement team members to meet shared objectives

 

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

The work environment can be very active and deal with a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a varied and diverse array of contacts. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee will primarily work in a traditional climate-controlled office environment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasionally, the employee may work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold; specifically for events. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Yellowstone Academy offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a SIMPLE IRA program with employer matching, supplemental life and short-term disability insurance, and paid sick leave. 

 

 

Yellowstone Academy (DBA Yellowstone Schools) is a non-denominational Christian school, and all employees must be professing Christians.  Yellowstone does not refuse to hire and does not release any individual, or otherwise discriminate against any individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of the individual’s race, color, sex, or national or ethnic origin.  Nor does Yellowstone Academy limit, segregate, or classify its employees or applicants for employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the status as an employee because of the individual’s race, color, sex, and/or national/ethnic origin.