Job Posting

Montessori Center of Minnesota | Saint Paul, MN
Salary Range: $110,000 - $125,000

Position: Director of Advancement
Hours: Fulltime, 40 Hours/Week
Salary: $110,000 - $125,000; Annual Salary Commensurate with Experience; Benefits Eligible the First of the Month Following Hire
Reports To: Executive Director

About the Montessori Center of Minnesota (MCM) and Cornerstone Montessori School (CMS)

The mission of the Montessori Center of Minnesota (MCM) is to transform lives and society by broadening access to the power of Dr. Maria Montessori’s proven method of education. MCM’s work is centered on the core values of transformation, work, community, intentionality, and civility. Founded by Molly O’Shaughnessy, MCM has trained the world’s leading Montessori teachers through rigorous, high-quality, hands-on training since 1973. MCM provides Lead Guide training at the Primary (for ages 3-6) and Elementary (for ages 6-12) levels, as well as Primary and Elementary Assistant Courses. All training courses are accredited by the Association Montessori International (AMI), the only organization founded by Dr. Maria Montessori herself. MCM’s courses are also accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

Located on the East Side of St. Paul, MCM operates a premier training center for Montessori teachers and leads a collaborative to expand access to high-fidelity Montessori programs, including Cornerstone Montessori School (CMS), a non-profit Montessori school for children 15 months through 6 years. Also housed in its facility is Cornerstone Montessori Elementary School (CMES), a public charter Montessori school for grades K-6. MCM’s outreach initiatives include: (1) Montessori Partners Serving All Children (MPSAC), a remarkable in-community collaborative that builds and uses relationships with individuals, schools, and other organizations to increase access to Montessori education for under-resourced families in Minnesota and South Dakota, (2) social work, mental health services, and parent engagement support for MPSAC partners; and (3) Mentorship and Professional Development, which provides ongoing professional development and mentorship to MCM’s teachers-in-training, alumni, and practicing Montessori teachers throughout the region including MPSAC partners.

Position Overview
The Director of Advancement (DOA) is a member of the MCM leadership team and is tasked with the facilitation and management of fundraising activities that support contributed income goals. The DOA is a key partner in annual and strategic planning for earned revenue, communications, and the continued growth of the overall organization in collaboration with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and leadership staff. To achieve this, the DOA leads a comprehensive resource development program that generates individual, corporate, foundation, and government philanthropic support, and personally cultivates and stewards relationships with funders and donors. The DOA also provides leadership for the communications function that heightens awareness of MCM and its various programs, creates compelling communications and marketing tools, and attracts teacher candidates for its authentic Montessori training programs and students for its early childhood program. The DOA supervises staff with primary responsibility for social media communications, developing communications content, prospect research, database management, and events.

Primary Responsibilities
Contributed Fund Development

• Develops and implements annual fundraising plans tailored to meet MCM’s need for increasing levels of philanthropic support on an unrestricted basis, or for restricted purposes, from individuals, corporations and foundations, and other local and national entities.
• Expected to manage and multiply a portfolio of major individual, corporate, and foundation donors and prospects, in partnership with the Executive Director.
• From planning to reconciliation, manages all aspects of MCM’s annual fundraising event, the Cornerstone Montessori School’s scholarship drive, and other donor-focused events including San Lorenzo donor society events.
• Manages stewardship of all capital and capacity campaigns.
• Works with staff to identify and write appropriate proposals for all funders based on their guidelines and fit with MCM priorities; ensure all deadlines for proposal submission and reporting are met.
• Conducts prospect research to develop a pipeline of potential funders to cultivate for the future and maintains and enhances current systems to support the fundraising operation.
• Works collaboratively with other key staff to maintain a working knowledge of program objectives and to identify and solicit potential funding opportunities.
• Educates and encourages leadership and staff to participate in fundraising activities and communications to create a fundraising-forward culture throughout all programming and operations.
• Establishes and implements a plan for effective and timely donor acknowledgement and appreciation.

Board of Director/Board Committee Support

• Supports the MCM Board of Directors and Development Committee to ensure their understanding of, and engagement in, effective donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Supports the Governance Committee in recruitment efforts of individuals that enhance the overall experience and skill of the board collective.
• Attends all board meetings, collaborating with the Executive Director and Director of Operations regarding materials and flow of agenda items.
• Works with Development Committee members and other board members to identify key skills and areas to contribute to fundraising efforts.
• Meets with board members to identify annual personal contributions and to identify strategies to engage personal and professional networks.
• Encourages board members to participate in MCM’s mission through event attendance and personal contributions.

Earned Revenue Development

• Develops and implements annual strategies to attract an adequate pool of prospective candidates for MCM’s Diploma Course and Orientation Course programs, families for Cornerstone Montessori School, and attendees for the slate of annual workshops.
• Works with Director of Operations, in collaboration with Trainers, Course Administrator, and Head of School, to define and manage recruitment activities that build upon current systems and procedures to increase efficiency, production, and financial yield.
• Works with MCM Director of Operations to set fundraising and communications budgets, and to maintain an understanding of the fiscal year budget, specifically the effect of earned revenue on the bottom line.
• Develops strategies and determine expenditures necessary to achieve higher levels of earned revenue and, where possible, secure resources to fund those opportunities.

Communications, Marketing and Promotions

• Works in partnership with Executive Director and Director of Operations to create plans for an array of communication materials and strategies to expand awareness of MCM and its programs, and to increase enrollment in Diploma Courses, Orientation Courses, and workshops.
• Facilitates annual development and implementation of a communications and marketing plan, ensuring projects are on schedule and within the approved budget, and appropriate staff are engaged in the process of execution.
• Responsible for ensuring consistency of brand implementation and continuity among all communications materials and efforts.

Desired Attributes

• Commitment to mission
• Creative problem solver
• Curious learner
• Energy around building a program and expanding awareness and support
• Sense of humor and can-do attitude
• Marketing or Public Relations experience
• Experience working in a school/educational setting

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 7+ years of experience in fundraising and communications
• Demonstrated success in securing annual and major gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations
• Demonstrated success in working as a member of a team and developing effective working relationships with staff, volunteers and donors
• Excellent written/oral communication skill
• Proficient computer skills using MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook; familiar with internet; competency with electronic donor tracking systems

The Montessori Center of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, creed, religion, sex, sexual or affectional orientation, color, national origin, ancestry, familial status, age, disability, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. MCM is committed to building, strengthening, and maintaining a diverse workforce and strongly encourages those who self-identify as persons of color, Indigenous persons, disabled, and LGBTQIA to apply.

To Apply
Send or email resume, and salary history/requirements by August 1, 2022 to:
Joe McDonald
Executive Director
Montessori Center of Minnesota
1611 Ames Avenue East
St. Paul, MN 55106
joe@mtcm.org