Director of Development
About Montessori International Children’s House
Montessori International Children’s House (MICH) is an AMI accredited school serving children from 18 months through age 12 that has created an idyllic setting for young learners in its 40-year history. Situated on a verdant, wooded campus, and with a highly dedicated faculty and staff, the school community has a clear sense of purpose: to provide the best, age-appropriate education for young learners, following the philosophy of Maria Montessori.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Head of School, the Director of Development is responsible for creating and executing a strategic development plan to advance the school's fundraising goals, including annual giving, major gifts, foundation grants, corporate support, and special events, while building relationships within the community. The Director of Development will work closely with the school’s leadership team and the Board of Directors’ Development Committee. The Director is responsible for creating a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the school community while honoring the existing school culture and values.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising & Advancement Planning
- Develop and implement a comprehensive annual and long-term fundraising strategy
- Set and track fundraising goals, metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Align development goals with the MICH’s mission and strategic priorities as determined in the next Strategic Plan
- Identify, research, and spearhead the implementation of a diverse and multifaceted fundraising program to support the school’s strategic vision, cultivating a culture of giving and gratitude across all constituencies and socio-economic strata.
Annual Fund & Community-Based Giving
- Relaunch and manage the Annual Fund campaign to encourage broad participation from current families, staff, Board members, and alumni
- Develop strategies to increase participation rates as a first goal before focusing on gift size
- Build internal development systems, procedures, and messaging templates to support sustainable giving
Donor Engagement, Cultivation & Stewardship
- Build relationships with current and potential donors, including parents, grandparents, alumni, and local supporters
- Create a first-tier donor recognition and stewardship program to acknowledge gifts and encourage repeat giving
- Manage donor communications and ensure timely, personalized thank-you messages and impact updates
Marketing and Communications
- In conjunction with the Head of School, develop and implement communication strategies that clearly articulate MICH’s mission, vision, and case for support across print, digital, and in-person platforms
- Create compelling content for donor appeals, stewardship materials, annual reports, event promotions, and fundraising collateral
- Collaborate with the Head of School and administrative team team to ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all development and school communications
- Manage development-related content on the school’s website, newsletters, and parent communication channels
- Partner with the Educational Director to support cross-functional communication needs related to admissions, enrollment events, and community engagement
- Elevate the visibility of MICH within the broader community in ways that inspire philanthropic support
Data Management, Reporting & Infrastructure
- Maintain web-based donor database (e.g., FACTS giving) to track gifts, relationships, campaigns, and outcomes
- Develop reports for the Head of School and Board to communicate fundraising progress and trends
- Ensure compliance with IRS regulations, ethical fundraising standards, and donor intent
Grants, Foundations & External Funding Opportunities
- Research and identify local, regional, and national grant opportunities that align with the school’s mission, Montessori philosophy, and priority needs (e.g., financial aid, outdoor education, DEI, capital improvements)
- Develop and submit grant proposals, including narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation
- Maintain a grants calendar, tracking submission deadlines, award notifications, and reporting requirements
- Cultivate relationships with foundation officers and program staff, positioning the school as a strong partner for future funding cycles
- Coordinate with school leadership and program staff to align proposals with actual needs and capacity
Other Duties as Assigned