SUMMARY:
We seek a driven, strategic development professional to serve as Mother Caroline’s Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to spearhead and oversee all efforts related to fundraising and play a key role on our financial management team. Reporting directly to the Head of School and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CAO will be responsible for the planning and execution of all fundraising efforts. As a tuition-free school, Mother Caroline relies upon a comprehensive and successful development effort to support its operations.
Philanthropy has played a significant role in Mother Caroline’s ability to fund its academic curriculum and co-curricular activities. The FY2025 budget is expected to be around $2.5 million and the new CAO will have the opportunity to build on a tradition of success to help achieve the school’s ambitious fundraising goals. The new CAO will also play an integral role in launching an upcoming Capital Campaign and executing our strategic plan over the next few years. With a comprehensive fundraising platform in place (annual fund, events, individuals, and corporate and foundation support) the CAO will oversee the work of a development team to ensure the future sustainability of the school and its programming.
The right candidate will be organized, detail-focused, self-directed and have excellent people skills that seamlessly translate to Mother Caroline’s donor and community base. S/he will be able to demonstrate an exceptional capacity to cultivate donor relationships, secure support, and partner with board members on their fundraising efforts.
Mission Statement:
Mother Caroline Academy empowers girls in grades 3-8 to think bigger, bolder, and beyond, through educational excellence, leadership development, and community stewardship in a safe space that fosters social and emotional learning. Our aim is to empower students and families to achieve generational growth and development where all can imagine a future with limitless possibilities.
About Mother Caroline Academy and Education Center:
Mother Caroline Academy is a tuition-free, independent school for girls in grades 3-8 from Boston’s underserved neighborhoods. Serving girls of all faiths, races, and cultures, the school provides a high-quality education that nurtures each student’s unique gifts and prepares her for success in competitive secondary schools and college. Rooted in Catholic tradition, MCA emphasizes scholarship, leadership, and social and moral development. The Academy supports its graduates through secondary and college education, with a 100% high school graduation rate and 96% college enrollment rate.
In addition to its academic focus, MCA offers educational programs for families, helping to ensure a supportive community. With a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio and extended school days, MCA provides a holistic education that fosters academic skills, resilience, and character. Graduates attend top schools such as Boston Latin, Commonwealth School, and St. Paul’s, and aspire to careers in medicine, engineering, business, education, and more. As Boston’s only tuition-free independent school for girls, MCA opens doors to lifelong opportunity for students and their families.
The Academy is 100% privately funded and we believe our mission can best be achieved by focusing on the needs of the whole family and by preserving a spirit of volunteerism and commitment among all those who aid, support and benefit from MCAEC.
OUR STUDENTS: MCA students are brilliant scholars who represent various Boston neighborhoods. Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center serves 70+ girls, who are 80% African American, 13% Hispanic, 7% mixed race. While MCAEC is a school rooted in the Catholic tradition, students come from a multitude of religious traditions. The school overview can be found at: https//www.mcaec.org/about/
Position Responsibilities and Expectations:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising plan that supports the strategic objectives of Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center, while also establishing a strong financial foundation for growth
- Strategically leverage the time of the Head of School and board to meet aggressive fundraising targets; support and develop the capacity of the board to achieve development goals
- Establish specific fundraising goals and metrics within overall fundraising plans. Prepare detailed reports of activity and progress towards goals for review by the head of school, finance committee, and development committee on a regular basis
- Identify, cultivate and solicit major donors, and business leaders for gifts in the four-, five- and six-figure gift range
- Research and write a multitude of grants that support STEAM/STEM, Health and Wellness, and all girls education
- Work closely with the Head of School and board finance committee on the development of an annual operating budget, including monthly updates and forecasts.
- Develop and maintain systems to ensure accountability and evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s fundraising development program
- Enhance the culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, building board and staff fundraising knowledge, skills and effectiveness.
- Develop a plan to increase alumni and parent support
- Supervise the Assistant Director of Development
- Oversee the development, strategy and execution of Mother Caroline’s annual fundraising events, including the Annual Dinner. Identify, plan for, and execute other events as appropriate to further the goals of the school
- As an active member of the leadership team, partner with the Head of School to ensure the implementation of the school’s mission and the use of innovative and best practices, and to devise strategies for the school’s advancement
Qualifications:
- A minimum of 5-8 years development/fundraising experience, ideally in major gifts, prospect management
- Successful track record of soliciting four, five and six figure gifts
- Proven experience growing the donor base of an organization
- Prior experience with capital campaign management is preferred
- Significant experience and demonstrated success raising funds for growing nonprofit organizations
- Substantial experience implementing fundraising plans and cultivating relationships for all funding streams including individuals, foundations and corporations
- Passion for the mission, vision and values of Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center; comfort and willingness to actively participate in the community
- Strong work ethic; ability to lead by example and work effectively in a small, non-profit environment as well as act as a team member in a collaborative environment
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to donors and prospects
- Have proficiency in Google Docs and donor management systems such as Bloomerang.
Traits and Qualities:
At MCA, we believe that an excellent staff member does the following:
- Has an unwavering commitment and belief in the mission of Mother Caroline Academy
- Believes that all of us can and will learn. Creates a positive learning environment with high expectations for all students and staff throughout the school
- Thrives as part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture
- Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development
- Believes that all children can and will learn
- Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community
- Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students and staff
- Willing and able to play different roles at the school to meet the varied and constant needs of the students and staff at MCA
- Models positive and healthy character traits and habits, as well as the values of MCA
- Willing to do whatever it takes to help colleagues and students
- Constantly assesses progress, communicates results clearly, and uses data to inform decisions and set ambitious goals
- Has a strong work ethic and commits to doing whatever it takes to excel, including committing to an extended work day and remaining available to colleagues, students, and families outside of school hours
Compensation: Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center offers an attractive benefits package including but not limited to: 403(b), medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, and support for professional development.
MCA School Hours:
Daily 7:30 am-4:00 pm
Vacations and school closures generally follow Boston Public Schools.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your resume and CV along to:
Dr. Carla Haith, Head of School, chaith@mcaec.org and Donna Felix, Special Assistant to the Head of School, dfelix@mcaec.org
After we receive your information, you will be contacted about next steps.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center is committed to a diverse and inclusive community concerning race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, family status, economic circumstance, age, and physical disability in its student body, faculty, and staff. Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs. We strongly encourage applications from women and minority candidates. Mother Caroline Academy & Education Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
