Cushing Academy , located in Ashburnham , MA , seeks a Director of the Annual Fund. This new position will plan and execute a comprehensive Annual Giving Program designed to continue to build operating support for the school. The Director of the Annual Fund will report directly to a newly hired Chief Development Officer.
About Cushing Academy
Founded in 1865, Cushing Academy , a private, coeducational, residential secondary school, has an enrollment of 445 boys and girls from 28 states and 28 countries. The school offers a classic setting, warm community, excellent academic, athletic and visual arts programs, and a supportive environment for students with differing learning styles. The academy's well-rounded approach creates an enriched academic environment that encourages students (grades 9-12 and post graduate) to thrive and discover their personal strengths. With a faculty-to-student ratio of 8:1, over 65% of the school's faculty holds advanced degrees including 8 with doctorate degrees.
To prepare students to meet the opportunities and challenges of this century, Cushing Academy created the Cushing Institute for 21st Century Leadership in 2007. Working closely with all academic departments, student life, and athletics, the Institute drives every aspect of Cushing's curriculum. T he Institute's unique collaborations and partnerships include a scholar in residence from Oxford University , student summer internship opportunities at Singularity University based on the NASA Campus in Silicon Valley , and an invited speakers series of distinguished international scholars. In keeping with its mission to prepare students to be leaders in our technology-driven world, the school transitioned the library to a digital format, replacing the majority of the school's books with electronic sources.
With an exceptional faculty and dedicated facilities in the visual and performing arts, Cushing offers a full range of opportunities for students to explore their artistic interests. The Emily Fisher Landau Center for Visual Arts offers superb programs, facilities, and equipment in architectural design, glass work, painting and drawing, pottery and sculpture, photography, silversmithing, jewelry fabrication, drama, dance, and music. The state-of-the-art practice and rehearsal spaces of the Joseph R. Curry Academic Center offer an elegant dance studio, individual practice rooms, a theater studio, and a multi-track recording studio and multimedia lab for students studying digital video, digital audio, and other production aspects of the performing arts.
Cushing has a long tradition of athletic success including more alumni NHL players than any other independent school in the country. Offering superb facilities, including a state-of-the-art hockey rink, and coaching at every level, students can play ice hockey, football, soccer, lacrosse, tennis, and more at the recreational, intramural, or the competitive team level with other New England schools. Students learn to sharpen their focus, build confidence, and transcend limits as well as leadership and collaboration skills.
The Opportunity
Cushing Academy achieved notable recent accomplishments and is poised to increase its annual fund. In May, 2010, Cushing, with an active donor base of 5,500, held its most successful reunion in the school's history. Annual Fund giving has doubled since 2005. To keep this momentum, Headmaster James Tracy has pledged to take on an increasingly active fundraising role.
The Director of the Annual Fund will be responsible for managing and expanding the Cushing Annual Fund, which has recently surpassed $1,000,000. Under the direction of the Chief Development Officer, the Director of the Annual Fund will manage telephone, direct mail, internet, and personal solicitations of four figure prospects with a focus on increasing gifts in support of the school and developing donors of major gifts. She/he must be an ambitious, creative, and energetic leader who enjoys working face to face with prospects, yet who can also be a hands-on manager in a small and evolving development office.
Responsibilities
• Develops and implements annual giving strategic and operational plans
• Coordinates all annual giving solicitation for Cushing constituencies to maximize giving and participation rates
• Work with other Cushing leadership and staff to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit targeted annual fund donors and prospects
• Solicits for the acquisition, renewal and/or increase of donors capable of supporting Cushing
• Work closely with other development staff to implement visitations, direct mail, and telemarketing strategies
• Responsible for design, message, and creation of all annual giving printed materials and scripts
• Represents the Development office at various Cushing events
Qualifications
Fundraising
Four plus years of related annual giving experience (including phone, internet, direct mail, and cultivation experience )
Demonstrated success increasing annual fund results
Ability “get their hands dirty” and perform all aspects of fundraising within a small office with limited administrative support
Evidence of growing an Annual Giving Program
Appreciation for and ability to articulate Cushing's mission
Management
External focus with a preference for working face-to-face with prospective leadership donors and active volunteers
Ability to execute plans and ideas of the Chief Development Officer and school leaders
Organizational Skills
Willingness to work evenings and undertake overnight travel in New England (20-30% travel)
Strong organizational, record keeping, and time management skills
Strong communication skills with the ability to be an articulate spokesperson for Cushing
Demonstrated commitment to teamwork
Independent worker who can simultaneously establish and maintain harmonious relations with a diverse constituency
Ability to multitask
While experience working in a private secondary school is helpful, it is not required.
