Denver Academy in Denver, Colorado seeks an Associate Development Director for Annual Giving for the 2025-2026 school year.

 Type:

Staff - Full-Time

Category:

Development

Degree:

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

Salary Range:

$85,000 - $95,000

Benefits:

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 403B with match, and generous paid time off. Benefits are subject to current Denver Academy policies.

Apply:

Please send your cover letter, resume and DA application to Mr. Michael McNeill, [email protected].

The mission of Denver Academy is to inspire and empower diverse learners through student-centered, differentiated, and transformative education.

Founded in 1972 on the belief that students thrive when taught in the way they learn best, Denver Academy is one of the top schools in the nation dedicated to teaching diverse learners, including those with dyslexia and ADD/ADHD. DA’s innovative learning model is based on the balanced application of classroom management, information processing, and academic literacy. Small class sizes of 12-14 students facilitates differentiated instruction. Flexible placement and several academic levels within each core subject, including Honors classes and advanced coursework, allow faculty to teach to each student’s optimal level. Through this unique approach, students excel in their strengths while receiving the support they need in areas of challenge.

Position Description: The Associate Development Director for Annual Giving is a full-time, on-site position. The Associate Director is a newly created position that will report directly to the Director of Development and will focus on a collaborative approach to building a year-round fundraising plan for the school’s annual fund, promote giving to restricted funds to the school, and provide leadership for the annual gala in support of the school’s robust tuition assistance program. In close collaboration with the Director of Development, this person will spearhead a concerted effort to educate parents about the school’s annual fundraising efforts, help to achieve our goal of doubling parent participation, and provide direction, internal support, and volunteer management for the school’s annual fundraising gala and smaller cultivation and stewardship events as needed throughout the school year.

Strong fundraising requires the ability to create and nurture relationships with constituents. At Denver Academy, we are steadfastly and whole-heartedly attached to the school’s mission to provide an education that meets students where they are. Here, we work with warmth, good cheer and sincere belief in that mission. Abundant donor testimonials show that a DA education changes lives. Working together with the Development Committee, development staff and parent volunteers, the Associate Director will help build and communicate the case for supporting the school in a way that appeals to and resonates with our constituents.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and manage a comprehensive fundraising plan and appeal schedule for The Fund for Denver Academy (annual fund):
  • Use a data-informed moves-management approach to grow and recognize donors.
  • Create new ways for parents to get involved
  • Develop and manage a calendar/schedule of multidimensional appeals that leverages a variety of media (electronic, direct mail, video, face-to-face, etc.)
• With the Director, create and manage an annual fund parent ambassador program:
  • Set goals, strategize and organize solicitations
  • Train volunteers
  • Accurately track and communicate progress
• Plan and execute an annual gala and all related administrative, budgetary, and communication needs.
• Work with the Director of Development and alumni volunteers to initiate a less traditional approach to alumni relations, with a focus on connecting, networking, and maintaining relationships with faculty and alumni mentors.
• Utilize Raiser’s Edge to track visits and activity, produce contact notes, and accurately manage fundraising progress.
• Participate regularly in database training modules (events in particular) to maximize results through a data driven effort.
• Coordinate the fundraising efforts and related communications around Colorado Gives Day and/or provide a good alternative for end-of-year online giving.
• With all development staff, provide support for Grandparents’ Day as well as all Development-office hosted events.
• Attend Development Committee meetings, assist with committee member engagement and provide Board reports as assigned by the Development Director.
• Using prospect research tools, identify major donor prospects and create an intentional and thoughtful solicitation plan for the Director, Head of School, Board, and Volunteers as appropriate.
• Participate in at least one professional development activity each school year.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA or equivalent
• 5 to 7 years of non-profit fundraising experience in a development role, ideally in an independent school or an educational environment
• Appreciation of the school’s mission
• Proven success in securing 4- to 6-figure gifts and making in-person asks
• Strong knowledge of Raiser’s Edge Software or equivalent database
• Proven success with event planning, hosting, and management
• Experience managing volunteers
• Strong organizational and writing skills
• Attention to detail
• Willingness to work outside of normal working hours as needed
• Good sense of humor and positive approach

Other Helpful Qualifications

• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge and how to run pre-programmed queries, reports and lists
• Ability to create and send bulk mail using Pushpage / Constant Contact
• Experience with Auction software and/or event management software
• Basic understanding of gift processing and acknowledgement letters
• Excellent time and project management skills

Application Deadline: July 1, 2025

Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or handicap.

Fountain Valley School, a selective and diverse boarding school, educates 220 students in grades 9–12 on a beautiful 1,100-acre campus in Colorado Springs, CO. Founded in 1930, the School provides a rigorous, global curriculum in academics, arts, athletics and the outdoors. 

Position Summary: 

Fountain Valley School seeks an experienced and dynamic admission professional for the role of Assistant or Associate Director of Admission and Data Manager. This position reports to the Dean of Enrollment Management. The Assistant/Associate Director is a key member of the admission and enrollment team. Responsibilities include data and market analysis, funnel reporting, recruiting day and boarding students in Grades 9 - 12 and supporting the functions of the admission office. This position has required domestic travel throughout the country and to area and regional schools and fairs. The Assistant/Associate Director of Admission will promote the school through constant communication, marketing, and interpersonal skills necessary to connect with the community, prospective students, and families. 3 - 5 years of experience in admission and data analysis is preferred.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Admission Duties:

• Demonstrate an understanding, appreciation and passion for the admission process and for boarding schools
• Domestic travel to fairs and feeder schools
• Assume regional responsibility for a portion of the applicant pool: gather and analyze demographic research, leverage current relationships in territory, identify and grow potential markets, offer highly personalized communication with prospective families in territory throughout the application cycle.
• Support all aspects of the admission cycle through on-campus events, interviewing, virtual events, revisit days, etc.
• Support all aspects of the admission review process, including reviewing and evaluating applications and serving on admission committees
• Regular and reliable attendance
• Other duties as assigned

 Admissions Information Systems Management:

• Serve as the primary data administrator for the admissions CRM (e.g., Blackbaud, Finalsite, or SchoolAdmin)
• Maintain accurate applicant records and manage data integrity throughout the admissions process
• Generate reports, dashboards, and data analysis to support enrollment strategies
• Troubleshoot system issues and coordinate with IT and vendors for updates and improvements
• Assist in the integration of admissions systems with student information, financial aid, and communications platforms
• Prepare weekly enrollment reports for DEM and other reports as requested

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Previous experience in database management and analysis required.
• Technological experience and comfort using current and future CRMs including Google Suite, Blackbaud, Finalsite Enrollment/equivalent, or willingness (if not experienced) to learn.
• Metrics-driven, analytical and able to interpret data to drive decision making
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills to meet deadlines efficiently and accurately
• Engage with energy, kindness, and a sense of humor
• Ability to take individual initiative and work collaboratively within a team approach
• Demonstrate cultural competency and skills engaging with and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Demonstrate skills in communication and interpersonal relations within and across multiple departments
• A sense of humor and desire to work on a boarding school campus

Working Conditions:

• Environment: Working indoor office and outdoor events. 
• Physical demands:  Must be able to sit, stand, and walk 8 hrs per day and lift items weighing up to 25 lbs;
• Working Relationships: Students, parents, alumni, outside vendors, potential donors and all other employees

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement plus match, Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, EAP and use of campus facilities

Salary: $45,000 - $50,000, depending on education and experience

Application Deadline: June 15, 2025

APPLY