About Minnehaha Academy:
Minnehaha Academy is a top-tier private, Christian Pre-K to 12 school in Minnesota, celebrated for offering students a rich and diverse educational experience rooted in Christian values. As a ministry of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church of America, we draw on a strong tradition of academic excellence, and we are committed to nurturing each student’s unique strengths and abilities in a caring, supportive environment.
Our two school campuses are located on the shores of the Mississippi River that runs through Minneapolis among its many vibrant communities, offering wonderfully diverse cultural experiences, exquisite nature parks, and many local cuisine options.
Job Description:
The Office of Development at Minnehaha Academy is seeking an experienced, motivated, and resourceful Development Officer to join our dynamic fundraising team. The role is full time and is a 12-month position with no direct reports. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Officer will play a pivotal role in establishing and nurturing valuable relationships with our community of donors, with an emphasis on soliciting major gifts to support the mission and strategic goals of Minnehaha Academy.
Responsibilities:
As a Development Officer, you will:
· Maintain a deep understanding of our mission, programs, and strategic goals to effectively communicate them to donors.
· Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, developing and implementing strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each; craft bespoke communication strategies to secure annual, capital, and legacy donations.
· Identify new prospects through collaborative research and networking; assess their ability and willingness to make significant gifts.
· Build and deepen donor relationships, facilitating growth in strategic fundraising efforts while expanding the school’s presence in the private education landscape.
· Work collaboratively with the development team, school leaders, and board members to align donor interests with school needs and priorities.
· Create and present compelling proposals to prospects and donors, demonstrating the impact of their gifts on our students and the wider school community.
· Ensure timely and accurate record keeping of donor interactions and donations in the database; produce regular progress reports.
· Help plan, coordinate, and host donor visits/tours, special events, and recognition programs to foster a greater sense of connection with our school.
· Support robust enrollment efforts across all divisions in alignment with the school’s mission.
· Deliver exceptional stewardship, elevate donor retention, enhance future giving/engagement.