Cushing Academy, now in its 145th year, seeks a Chief Development Officer (CDO) to oversee all aspects of fundraising for this private, coeducational secondary school. Reporting to Headmaster James Tracy who has committed himself to an increasingly active fundraising role, the new CDO will be responsible for creating a strategic fundraising plan, leading and managing all aspects of alumni relations and fundraising and overseeing development staff. This position will serve on Headmaster's Administrative Team and be the liaison to the Development Committee of the Board of Directors. In preparation for its capital campaign in conjunction with the 150th anniversary in 2015, Cushing Academy is investing in philanthropy through adding development staff and increasing prospect/donor visits both nationally and internationally. Candidates should demonstrate success raising major and principal gifts, planning and managing capital campaigns and supervising staff. Candidates are welcomed from all fundraising sectors and are not limited to private secondary schools.
About Cushing Academy
Founded in 1865, Cushing Academy 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. T he 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
The Chief Development Officer will be an integral member of a small and closely-knit residential school community. She/he will report to the Headmaster, James Tracy, and collaborate closely with the Assistant Head of School for Institutional Advancement, Melanie Connors as well as the Chair of the Development Committee. The CDO will staff quarterly Board of Director meetings and oversee all aspects of a comprehensive fundraising program. She/he will be responsible for the building, leadership and management of alumni relations and all development programs including major and capital gifts, annual and planned giving, alumni reunions, regional gatherings and other cultivation and fundraising events. The new Chief Development Officer will establish solid rapport with faculty who are important to the success of fundraising and are eager supporters. With a current staff of three and active recruitment underway for two new positions for major gifts and the annual fund, Cushing Academy is gearing up for its capital campaign in conjunction with its 150th anniversary in five years. Under the leadership of the new CDO, the campaign will raise support for a new athletic facility, the endowment and the 21st Century Initiative.
Cushing Academy is poised to move to the next level of fundraising. In May, 2010, Cushing, with an active alumni donor base of 5,500, held its most successful reunion in the school's history and received over $1M in gifts, double that of three years ago. This past academic year the participation rate for the faculty and staff campaign increased from 53% to 90%. To maintain this momentum, Dr. Tracy will take an increasingly active fundraising role, collaborating with the CDO to plan cultivation and solicitation strategies and meetings and manage donor and prospect relationships. The new Chief Development Officer will travel nationally and internationally, meeting members of the Regional President's Council in Asia, Latin America, Europe and the east and west coasts of the United States. In addition to the Headmaster's Administrative Team and the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees, the COD will serve on other Board committees to be determined.
Responsibilities
Build and strengthen a comprehensive development program in preparation for a major capital campaign
In collaboration with senior and volunteer leadership, plan and lead the capital campaign
Staff quarterly board meetings
Develop plans and strategies for each giving program, including dollar goals and timelines
Cultivate, solicit and close major and principal gifts
Manage major gift cultivation strategies and prospects, in collaboration with the Headmaster, Assistant Head of School, Board and volunteer leadership and faculty as appropriate
Oversee all alumni relations activities including cultivation programs and events
Institute a planned giving program
Supervise and mentor development staff
Travel nationally and internationally
Qualifications
Authentic interest in and commitment to private secondary education in a residential environment, as well as the ability to effectively articulate both
At least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience that includes building a development program and supervising staff
A proven track record of cultivating, soliciting and closing major and principal gifts
Demonstrated success planning and managing a capital campaign
Board and volunteer management
Strategic and program planning
Excellent oral and written communication skills
While experience working in a private secondary school is helpful, it is not required.
