Director of Development

Founded in 1979, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a co-educational, preschool through grade 12, college-preparatory day school nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains straddling Watsonville and Gilroy. MMS is a diverse learning community dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. We value each individual and all of their unique qualities – including race, culture, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability status, and socio-economics – which weave into the tapestry of our shared humanity. As a learner-centered school, MMS has a rich tradition of innovative education that explores the potential of each student, balancing academic rigor with social-emotional growth. MMS is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

About the role

Mount Madonna School is creating a dedicated Director of Development position as part of a broader investment in the school's long-term advancement capacity. This newly defined role will build and lead a comprehensive philanthropic program: major gifts, annual giving, institutional giving, and donor stewardship, in service of MMS's strategic priorities, including enrollment growth, program investment, and reduced reliance on ad hoc, one-time sources of support. The Director of Development will work in close partnership with the Director of Community (enrollment and marketing) and report directly to the Head of School, ensuring fundraising strategy is fully integrated with the school's broader advancement and community-building efforts.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a development professional who wants to build a durable philanthropic program with real infrastructure, an engaged and better-utilized board, a reactivated alumni community, and a growing base of donors giving at meaningful levels, inside a mission-driven, close-knit school community with nearly 50 years of history.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Develop and lead MMS's comprehensive fundraising strategy in alignment with the school's strategic plan and financial goals.
• Create an annual development plan with clear revenue targets, tactics, and timelines.
• Partner with the Head of School, Director of Community, and Board to identify funding priorities and shape the school's case for support.
• Establish metrics, tracking systems, and regular reporting to measure fundraising progress.

Major Gifts & Individual Donor Relations

• Make relationship-based major gift cultivation the center of the role, focusing on deep, one-on-one work.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors, with a focus on gifts of $5,000 and above.
• Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects among current families, alumni, grandparents, and friends of the school.
• Conduct regular donor visits and meetings (in person, phone, or virtual).
• Equip and coach board members to host small, informal cultivation gatherings for prospective major donors.
• Develop compelling gift proposals and agreements tailored to donor interests.
• Design and manage meaningful donor recognition and stewardship programs.

Annual Giving & Community Engagement

• Lead MMS's annual giving program, transparently communicating the school's full funding need to the community and building a strategy that shifts emphasis toward fewer, larger gifts.
• Own the revenue outcomes for Drive for Schools and Summit for the Planet, MMS's two signature community fundraising events.
• Own the success of MMS's community-wide 100% giving (participation) campaign, ensuring every family, faculty, and staff member has a clear, low-barrier way to participate.
• Build MMS's alumni engagement program from the ground up, developing a real alumni database and re-establishing relationships with this largely untapped community.
• Plan and execute 1–2 signature donor cultivation and fundraising events each year, in partnership with the Advancement Coordinator.
• Develop peer-to-peer and special campaign fundraising initiatives.
• Partner with faculty and program staff to showcase student and school impact to donors.

Institutional Partnerships

• Research and identify foundation, corporate, and mission-aligned funding opportunities.
• Write and submit compelling grant proposals and reports; manage the grant calendar and reporting requirements.
• Cultivate relationships with foundation program officers and institutional partners.

Board Development

• Staff the Board's Development/Advancement Committee and equip trustees to participate meaningfully in fundraising.
• Provide board members with tools, talking points, and donor prospect information.
• Help cultivate a culture of philanthropy among the board, faculty, and staff.

Systems & Operations

• Manage the donor database and ensure accurate, timely gift processing, acknowledgment, and tax receipting.
• Maintain donor records, communication history, and prospect research.
• Coordinate with the Director of Community and Business Office to keep enrollment, marketing, and development data aligned.
• Prepare regular fundraising reports for the Head of School and Board.

Requirements

• Genuine enthusiasm for K-12 independent school education and MMS's mission and values.
• A natural relationship-builder who connects authentically with donors, families, faculty, and trustees.
• 5+ years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in individual giving, major gifts, and building strategic partnerships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft and present a compelling case for support.
• A strategic thinker who can build plans, set priorities, and work independently.
• Experience with donor CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar).

Qualifications

Strongly Preferred

• Experience in independent schools or other mission-driven educational nonprofits.
• Major gift solicitation experience with gifts of $25,000 or more.
• A track record of successful development of institutional partners.
• Experience building or professionalizing a development program.
• Familiarity with the Bay Area / Santa Cruz County philanthropic landscape.

Essential Qualities

• A warm, credible, emotionally intelligent presence – someone who builds trust quickly and connects authentically with donors, families, and trustees without dominating a room.
• Alignment with MMS's mission and its commitment to academic excellence, creative self-expression, and positive character development.
• A collaborative spirit and comfort working across a small, close-knit school community where roles intersect.
• High integrity and discretion in donor relationships and financial stewardship.
• A self-starter, comfortable building infrastructure with minimal precedent to follow.