Turnaround for Children
Director of Philanthropic Partnerships
New York, NY
September 2010
Turnaround for Children, Inc. (“Turnaround”) is a not-for-profit organization based in New York City that partners with schools serving high-poverty communities to help them bring about breakthrough transformation to close the achievement gap.
Because of the demonstrated effectiveness of its model, Turnaround has garnered the support of national foundations and public entities and is now poised to expand its philanthropic fundraising to advance its aggressive business plan for replication of the Turnaround model in public schools nationally.
Turnaround seeks a mission-driven, dynamic and entrepreneurial leader as its first-ever Director of Philanthropic Partnerships. Reporting directly to the founding President and CEO, Dr. Pamela Cantor, the new Director of Philanthropic Programs will design and implement a major gifts program and manage a philanthropic effort that leverages the success of Turnaround's initial network of major supporters. S/he will thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, excel at communicating Turnaround's approach and vision, and manage a small development team. Successful candidates will have 10+ years professional fundraising experience with expertise in major gifts fundraising, the demonstrated ability to lead and motivate board members and staff, and a deep commitment to social justice.
About Turnaround for Children
The Turnaround model emerged directly from work conducted by Dr. Cantor following the September 11th terrorist attacks. In collaboration with the New York City Board of Education, this initiative, called the Partnership for the Recovery of New York City Schools, joined with many public agencies and private organizations to assess the impact of 9/11 on the city's public school children and create a system through which they (and their families) could receive the necessary help. She and her colleagues recognized that many of the mental health problems identified among the children were in fact longstanding and that an enduring service model was called for.
Since 2002, Turnaround for Children has worked in over 55 of New York City's highest poverty, most dangerous and lowest performing schools to develop an effective strategy for their transformation into positive and successful learning environments. For a cost of only $500 per student, Turnaround engages schools in a comprehensive, multiyear intervention carried out by teams of experienced educators and social workers. The result is the basis for success in high poverty schools:
New Systems: Permanent teams that focus on student behavior, academics and school climate
Expanded Services: New social, emotional and behavioral supports for students provided by a Turnaround-trained social worker and effective linkages to mental health resources
New Skills and Knowledge: Targeted training for teachers and administrators in the highly specific skills needed for success in a high-poverty school – yet commonly lacking in standard teacher training
The result of Turnaround's work is a profound shift in school culture. The multidisciplinary teams provide a powerful opportunity for collaborative learning, the development of relational trust, and the establishment of a wider leadership structure. Successfully addressing student needs engenders collective confidence and higher morale, and staff begin to develop a new vision of what is possible in the school as well as shared responsibility for making school a positive force in the life of all students. Highest-need students are given individualized support and all students are provided with greater opportunities to achieve and thrive.
The Opportunity
Due to its impact transforming New York City schools in communities of poverty, leaders in the field of education reform, philanthropists, and state education departments have reached out to Turnaround to pursue partnerships in the Intervention program. To meet this growing demand, Turnaround underwent a strategic planning process in the Fall of 2009 to determine and focus its vision for expansion. The outcome of that process is an aggressive and ambitious plan to increase Turnaround's operating budget by more than 50% in the next two years and bring Turnaround to select schools in the Northeast. Turnaround programs in Washington, DC and Orange, New Jersey will launch in 2010-2011.
The Executive and volunteer leadership of Turnaround are committed to building the capacity of the organization to best leverage the national focus on effective education reform, and work toward scaling-up the Turnaround model for replication nationally. Turnaround has received funding from prominent donors (both private foundations and individuals) and is working diligently to build its prospect base of major donors for three key needs: programs in New York and in the Northeast corridor; capacity building to expand impact nationally; and unrestricted support for core operations.
Turnaround's philanthropic case for support targets private funds to ensure a margin of excellence for all its programs, launch new program initiatives, and leverage sizeable grants from public and foundation sources.
In close collaboration with the President and CEO, her Executive team, the Turnaround Board of Directors and Development Committee, the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships will develop an ambitious fundraising strategy for this rapidly growing organization. The Director will have the opportunity to join Turnaround at this pivotal moment in history and play a critical role in growing the organization so that it may significantly increase its impact on children and families in communities of high-poverty. The Director will serve as a spokesperson for Turnaround in the philanthropic community and staff the CEO in managing her relationships with current and potential donors. In addition to managing his/her own portfolio of high net worth individuals and foundation donors, the Director will collaborate with the Development Committee and Board of Directors in all aspects of fundraising, including major gift donor identification and relationship management, special events, and recruitment of volunteers for the Board and committees.
Key Responsibilities
Create and implement the development strategy for Turnaround aligned with its plan for growth
Develop and sustain a major gift program, including management of a portfolio of 50-75 individual major gift prospects
Solicit and close six and seven figure gifts from individual donors for general support and special initiatives
Oversee private and corporate foundations grant management and stewardship
Report to and staff the CEO's philanthropic activity and provide strategic advice on all aspects of her relationships with current and prospective TFC donors
Staff Board Development and Events committees, including providing regular progress reports on fundraising and donor activity, and recruitment of committee volunteers
Orchestrate all aspects of the annual benefit, including development of strategies to transform event donors to annual and major gift donors
As a member of the senior management team, actively participate in agency strategic planning and management
Partner with CEO and current Board to identify and recruit new volunteer leaders to the TFC Board of Directors and Development Committee
Manage development staff, including Foundation Relations Officer, Development Assistant and event consultant
Serve as a spokesperson for the Turnaround mission in the philanthropic community and educational sector in New York and beyond
National travel may be required for this position
Qualifications
All successful candidates will demonstrate an appreciation of the Turnaround commitment to serving schools in high-poverty communities, in addition to most, if not all, of the following qualifications:
Fundraising and Development
10+ years of increasing professional fundraising accomplishments and responsibilities
Proven ability to raise and close six-figure gifts from individuals
With a focus on major gifts, build and oversee development program with the following functions:
Individual major gifts
Special events (as they relate to annual and major gift donor relationships)
Institutional giving (including foundation, government and corporate)
Creative annual giving vehicles, such as online giving
Track record of collaborating with executive and volunteer leaders to successfully recruit new Board leadership and committee members
Management and Planning
Superior planning skills and the ability to oversee and implement short and long term goals
Demonstrated success in collaborating with executive and volunteer leadership, program directors, and staff to advance major gifts fundraising
Experience participating in organizational strategic planning effort
Demonstrated understanding of best-practice development operations and systems
Ability to manage a small, committed team of development staff
In summary, Turnaround is seeking qualified candidates inspired by the opportunity to join its senior management team at this singular moment in the history of US education reform. The Director of Philanthropic Partnerships will shape the future of Turnaround for Children by pursuing untapped philanthropic potential during this time of transformation and rapid growth.
