Director of Development

Director of Development

Ivywood Classical Academy is a tuition-free public school that educates students using the virtues-based and rigorous classical education tradition. The classical curriculum is time-tested research-based and is proven to develop children into thoughtful caring educated freethinking young adults. The curriculum emphasizes an education in the humanities sciences and arts and integrates Spanish and Latin language to promote depth in learning.

Ivywood strives to produce students of high moral character who understand the world and what it means to be a contributing member of society. We place a strong focus on the why behind our lessons which fosters a love for learning and inspires wonder in our students. Ivywood Classical Academy is a proud Hillsdale College Barney Charter School Initiative (BCSI) Member School.

A successful candidate for this position has:

• An unwavering belief that students need an intentional and consistent focus on virtue.
• A love for children and a strong desire to cultivate the wonder and joy of learning everyday.
• An ability to be a subject-matter expert and share your love of the liberal arts tradition.
• An ability to build relationships with students parents and colleagues.
• A desire to foster a tight-knit community in and out of the classroom.

As the Director of Development your core responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

Fundraising & Development Strategy:

• Develop implement and evaluate a comprehensive annual fundraising plan aligned to school and organizational goals.
• Lead fundraising campaigns including but not limited to planned giving major gifts and the capital campaign.
• Identify cultivate solicit and steward a robust portfolio of donors including individuals foundations businesses and community partners.
• Prepare compelling funding proposals donor communications and impact reports.
• Maintain accurate donor records tracking touchpoints giving levels and engagement using the schools donor management database.
• Monitor fundraising progress regularly and provide data-driven recommendations to school leadership.
• Ensure all fundraising activities comply with relevant legal ethical and organizational standards.

Community Engagement & Partnerships:

• Strengthen the schools visibility and relationships within the community through purposeful outreach efforts.
• Identify and secure mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses nonprofits higher education institutions and alumni groups.
• Represent the school at community events networking meetings and public functions when appropriate.
• Serve as a point of contact for community stakeholders seeking to collaborate with or support the school.

Event Planning & Coordination:

• Plan execute and evaluate all fundraising events donor appreciation events and community-building initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams and volunteers to ensure events are well-organized mission-aligned and financially successful.
• Oversee event logistics including scheduling budget management vendor coordination sponsorship acquisition and volunteer management.
• Ensure post-event reporting data entry and donor follow-up are completed in a timely manner.

Donor Stewardship & Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain a structured stewardship program to ensure donor retention and long-term engagement.
• Provide personalized donor recognition consistent with organizational guidelines.
• Communicate the impact of donations clearly and consistently through storytelling data and student-centered outcomes.
• Ensure timely gift acknowledgment and compliance with all internal and external requirements.

Professional Development & Leadership:

• Uphold the Academy and Choice Schools Associates mission vision and core values while following all established company policies and procedures.
• Serve as a collaborative member of the schools leadership team participating in strategic planning school events and cross-department initiatives.
• Provide leadership coaching and direction to staff or volunteers supporting development functions.
• Maintain a high level of professional conduct ethics confidentiality and integrity.
• Continually seek opportunities to improve development systems donor experience communication practices and organizational effectiveness.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the School Leader or Area Superintendent.

Job Goal: To strategically plan implement and oversee all fundraising donor relations marketing and community engagement activities of the school in order to advance its mission support long-term financial sustainability and strengthen relationships with families donors partners and the broader community.

Essential Skills and Competencies: While we will consider a broad range of backgrounds the ideal candidate would have the following qualifications/experience:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in nonprofit management communications business education or related field.
• At least one year of fundraising development marketing or related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational planning follow-up and administrative skills.
• Proficiency with office technology donor databases (or similar CRM systems) and communication tools.
• Excellent attendance record verified through references.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising or school-based development work.
• Successful track record in donor cultivation and revenue generation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including persuasive writing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines and maintaining attention to detail.
• Creative problem-solver with strong initiative and resourcefulness.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school administrators staff families corporate partners and community members.

Work Location:14356 Genoa Ct Plymouth MI 48170

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Choice Schools offers a full comprehensive benefits plan including health care a competitive 401(K) plan professional development and much more. View our full list of benefits here - contact with any questions.

Working for Choice Schools Associates

Ivywood Classical Academy is part of the Choice Schools Community. As a comprehensive education service provider Choice Schools offers a student-centered approach to tailored school operations support. Much like a superintendents office Choice Schools provides invaluable assistance in various crucial areas including instruction professional development curriculum human resources finance compliance communications and enrollment. By being a part of the Choice Schools Classical Model Ivywood Classical Academy is a vibrant community of learning comprised of multiple other outstanding classical schools within the state. The Classical Model will provide you with the support and collaboration of a large district while serving at a tight-knit community school in your area.

Choice Schools Associates is an equal opportunity employer. Choice Schools Associates does not discriminate on the basis of race color gender sexual orientation national or ethnic background. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

#IND100

Required Experience:

Director