Creative Minds International Public Charter School (CMIPCS) is seeking a Development and Grants Manager responsible for the development and coordination of grant proposals and fundraising efforts.

At CMIPCS, we strike a unique balance in education by taking a global approach to learning, while always maintaining focus and attention on the development of the individual student. We encourage and respect individuality, building on our students’ strengths rather than expecting them to fit a predetermined mold. Through the lens of our international curriculum, our students gain an understanding, appreciation and respect for differences of all kinds, making them confident, culturally aware individuals capable of succeeding in a diverse and global society.

Position Overview and Responsibilities

The Development and Grants Manager's primairy responsibility is identifying, developing, planning, organizing, and directing all of CMIPCS’s grant seeking and fundraising initiatives.  The Manger works closely with the Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, and the Board of Directors in all development, fund-raising, and grant endeavors. Development and fundraising responsibilities include implementing or overseeing a major gifts program, annual fund, special events, and capital campaigns. The role's main focus is on identifying and obtaining grants, and driving fundraising initiatives. Grant administration, tracking, and reporting is secondary.

Grant Development

• Gain in-depth understanding of institutional history, current programs and priorities, and future program direction.
• Responsible for conducting the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, manage and steward grant proposals to federal and local (DC OSSE) government, foundation, and corporate sources. This includes research, proposal writing, and reporting requirements.
• Create and manage a grants calendar including key dates for cultivation, proposals, stewardship and reports.
• Perform prospect research to evaluate prospects all funding sources.
• Work closely with Executive Director, CAO, and COO to match funding opportunities with organization needs and annual strategy.  Includes determining criteria for innovative school model funding and developing a strategic approach and proposal to apply for funding.
• Manage cultivation and stewardship, including funder/potential funder site visits, regular mailings, etc.
• Work with COO to gather financial, outcome, and other information necessary to report to funders in compliance with donor grant reporting.
• Ensure maintenance of current records, including contact management, grant tracking, and reporting.

General Fundraising

• Identify and cultivate relationships with individuals, foundations, corporations, and other institutional donors or agencies who have an identified interest in funding education.
• Develop and implement communication and solicitation strategies to generate major gifts from these groups. Work in conjunction with the CMIPCS parents association (CFA) to support implementation of the annual fund program.
• Develop and implement an annual strategy for CMIPCS’s development efforts including mailings and annual fundraising drives to secure financial support from individuals, foundations and corporations. Manage the implementation of a donor database, including contact information, donation history, and follow-up communication. Oversee community and fundraising events.

Administrative

• Create office systems to oversee all grant writing projects and operations.

• Develop and implement grant writer acknowledgment and management program.

• Develop and manage a portfolio of foundations and prospect grantors.

• Oversee and supervise\ databases and all fundraising records, files, and grant processing/record keeping.

• Develop and maintain grant writing information systems and databases to recognize donors and prepare official acknowledgment letters and other gift related correspondence.

• Ensure all activities support accomplishment of articulated school goals.

• Prepare monthly report to leadership and quarterly reports to the Board tracking the status of development efforts

• Assist with the financial reporting of grants awarded through grant writing.
• Assist with other projects as requested.

Minimum Qualifications.

• 5 years combined applied grants development / writing experience and fundraising experience. Bachelor’s degree

Skills

• Significant experience in identifying grant targets, developing the storyboard, collaborating with SMEs, and writing the grant proposal.
• Experience in the non-profit and education arena with a track record of success.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive working relations with administrators, Board Members, faculty, funders, parents, and staff.
• Strong computer skills required, including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and proficiency in the use of Google Docs and Google Sheets.
• Knowledge of federal/state/local funding sources for educational institutions.
• Knowledge of fundraising/donation software and maintenance of fundraising database software desired
• Ability to communicate well and work with school staff in documenting program needs and goals.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, detail-oriented, with the demonstrated ability to manage deadlines and multiple ongoing projects from start to finish.
• Excellent writing and editing skills.

Why join CMIPCS?

At CMIPCS, we take seriously the idea that “no significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.” Each of our educators, regardless of role or responsibility, is committed to seeking out best practices for delivering instruction and responding to the academic and social-emotional needs of all children. The CMIPCS teacher is empathetic and welcoming of mistakes (both academic and behavioral) because CMIPCS educators know that mistakes lead to learning opportunities if children are held to high standards. CMIPCS offers an exceptional and dynamic working environment with a positive and supportive culture including small class sizes (approximately 20), higher than average adult to student ratios, weekly and monthly professional development, comprehensive and generous benefits including medical, dental, 401K (with employer contributions), short and long term disability, life insurance, paid school holidays, personal and sick days, and parental and family leave, among others. 

All interested candidates should use CMIPCS's People Admin Career Portal to apply for open positions: https://creativemindspcs.tedk12.com/hire

Note: Creative Minds International PCS is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.