Chief Advancement Officer

Over the past 28 years The Oaks Academy has provided a rich classical Christ-centered education to children of diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Currently across three campuses near downtown Indianapolis The Oaks serves over 1100 students. As an independent nonprofit school philanthropic funding is a key component of our mission allowing us to maintain a diverse student body by providing scholarship support to 67% of students each year.

We are now seeking a seasoned advancement leader to continue to build on our strong history of engaging the wider community in philanthropic support. After the successful completion of our latest campaign the next leader will help us capitalize on significant organizational momentum as we chart our course for the coming years.

The right candidate will recognize this rare opportunity to lead inside an organization that understands and appreciates the dynamics of growing philanthropic support over time. With strong organizational alignment around building an endowment an experienced team of professionals and significant opportunities for future growth already in place through the federal tax credit this leader will be well-positioned to build on a strong foundation.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for The Oaks Academys advancement strategy aligning philanthropic priorities with the schools mission growth objectives and long-term financial sustainability
• Lead and oversee all fundraising initiatives including major gifts annual giving capital campaigns planned giving stewardship events and donor engagement
• Partner with the CEO Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to advance philanthropic goals and cultivate a strong culture of giving across the organization
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects building meaningful relationships with individuals families foundations corporations and community leaders
• Develop and execute strategies to increase philanthropic support and grow The Oaks Academy endowment
• Lead efforts to identify cultivate solicit and steward individual foundation and corporate donors
• Provide leadership coaching and professional development for a high-performing advancement team of four professionals
• Create and manage a comprehensive planned giving program
• Ensure ethical stewardship of donor relationships and compliance with all fundraising policies procedures and best practices
• Oversee advancement operations including budgeting donor databases prospect research reporting and supporting systems and processes
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to strengthen fundraising campaigns donor communications alumni engagement events and annual giving initiatives
• Foster strong partnerships across departments to understand organizational priorities and advance school-wide goals
• Serve as a visible ambassador for The Oaks Academy effectively communicating its mission impact and value to diverse constituencies
• Contribute to strategic planning and organizational leadership as a member of the schools Leadership Team

• Demonstrates a relationship-first approach to fundraising and donor engagement
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive fundraising experience preferably in a faith-based educational or nonprofit setting
• Proven success in cultivating soliciting and stewarding major gifts
• Experience leading developing and managing high-performing teams
• Demonstrated track record of fundraising success including achieving ambitious philanthropic goals
• Strategic thinker with the ability to align advancement initiatives with organizational priorities and long-term objectives
• Strong interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills
• Committed Christian who actively supports and embraces the Christ-centered mission values and culture of The Oaks Academy

The Oaks Academy recruits and hires faculty and staff of any race color national and ethnic origin according to all the rights privileges programs and activities generally accorded or made available to employees at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race color national and ethnic origin in administration of its hiring policies or other school-administered programs.