The Organization
Background
The Schott Foundation for Public Education is a national public fund that serves as a bridge between philanthropic partners and advocates to build movements to provide all students with an opportunity to learn. Schott’s mission is to develop and strengthen broad-based and representative movements to achieve fully resourced, quality PreK–12 public education for all children across the nation. For nearly thirty years, Schott has been an instrumental leader and partner in building a more just society. Looking ahead, Schott believes that a national, well-funded movement can address opportunity gaps that continue to plague our country. Championing existing grassroots organizations that focus on addressing public education, racial justice, economic justice, healthy living, and creating safe communities is critical. Our work with grassroots and philanthropic partners supports creating a comprehensive network that eliminates racism, changes systems, and creates wellness and opportunity for all children.
Our dreams for our future begin with the dreams for our children, and quality education for all is imperative. Education is a civil right. It is a tool for achieving racial, social, and economic justice. It is the catalyst for systematic and generational change and disrupts entrenched power dynamics. It is a pivotal pathway for progress and our society can be transformed if all children have the opportunity to learn, thrive, and reach their greatest potential. While our public education system has extensive reach, many of America’s children have not received the education they deserve. Black and Brown students are impacted disproportionately by racism and economic disparities. There is a profound correlation between educational attainment and access to health care, civic participation, incarceration rates, and economic mobility. The outcomes and impact of this opportunity gap, particularly for Black and Latinx families, is both troubling and unjust.
We are at a pivot point. Decades of progressive policies on race, social, and economic inequalities in our country have been attacked or dismantled in this tumultuous political climate. Marginalized communities face sanctioned threats to their well-being every day through systems and policies that fuel predatory practices. The various “gaps” (wealth, health, education, and economic opportunity) continue to widen and leave already vulnerable communities in harm. It is our grassroots organizations who work on the frontlines of these fights. They have mobilized through partnership models to meet the urgency of community demands and needs. Philanthropic institutions must also come together and leverage the power of a strategic and collaborative funding approach. Grassroots organizations and the people they serve need our time, energy, and resources so that we don’t continue to perpetuate conditions for inequity. Increasing resources and capacity to grassroots partners is critical to supporting their work and building momentum.
Background
The Schott Foundation for Public Education is a national public fund that serves as a bridge between philanthropic partners and advocates to build movements to provide all students with an opportunity to learn. Schott’s mission is to develop and strengthen broad-based and representative movements to achieve fully resourced, quality PreK–12 public education for all children across the nation. For nearly thirty years, Schott has been an instrumental leader and partner in building a more just society. Looking ahead, Schott believes that a national, well-funded movement can address opportunity gaps that continue to plague our country. Championing existing grassroots organizations that focus on addressing public education, racial justice, economic justice, healthy living, and creating safe communities is critical. Our work with grassroots and philanthropic partners supports creating a comprehensive network that eliminates racism, changes systems, and creates wellness and opportunity for all children.
Our dreams for our future begin with the dreams for our children, and quality education for all is imperative. Education is a civil right. It is a tool for achieving racial, social, and economic justice. It is the catalyst for systematic and generational change and disrupts entrenched power dynamics. It is a pivotal pathway for progress and our society can be transformed if all children have the opportunity to learn, thrive, and reach their greatest potential. While our public education system has extensive reach, many of America’s children have not received the education they deserve. Black and Brown students are impacted disproportionately by racism and economic disparities. There is a profound correlation between educational attainment and access to health care, civic participation, incarceration rates, and economic mobility. The outcomes and impact of this opportunity gap, particularly for Black and Latinx families, is both troubling and unjust.
We are at a pivot point. Decades of progressive policies on race, social, and economic inequalities in our country have been attacked or dismantled in this tumultuous political climate. Marginalized communities face sanctioned threats to their well-being every day through systems and policies that fuel predatory practices. The various “gaps” (wealth, health, education, and economic opportunity) continue to widen and leave already vulnerable communities in harm. It is our grassroots organizations who work on the frontlines of these fights. They have mobilized through partnership models to meet the urgency of community demands and needs. Philanthropic institutions must also come together and leverage the power of a strategic and collaborative funding approach. Grassroots organizations and the people they serve need our time, energy, and resources so that we don’t continue to perpetuate conditions for inequity. Increasing resources and capacity to grassroots partners is critical to supporting their work and building momentum.
Position Overview
The Schott Foundation is a bridge builder between philanthropic and grassroots partners guided by a vision and mission to address racial inequity and create opportunities for all children to thrive. As a testament to our commitment to fueling the education justice movement, the Schott Foundation intends to establish an advancement department dedicated exclusively to the integration of an organization-wide culture of fundraising. The Foundation is currently seeking to hire a SVP of Advancement to act as the lead architect of this department and design and deliver on philanthropic partnerships, including a multi-year major gifts Initiative.
The Foundation’s fundraising initiative is a manifestation of the vision to create a coordinated and strategic building of funds amongst philanthropic partners to infuse into grassroots organizations addressing racial and economic disparities, and education justice specifically, in the public education system. The overall goal and intention of this initiative will also allow Schott and our partners to forge bold coalitions and support advocacy and policies that address racial and socio-economic inequities.
The SVP of Advancement will be responsible for establishing this new department to support the institution as well as the education justice movement. The position is responsible for planning, managing, and executing a comprehensive and diversified advancement effort that deepens organizational sustainability and allows for strategic, mission-aligned growth. The position will develop comprehensive plans of work that dovetail fundraising and programming responsibilities to maximize impact on both workstreams. Reporting to the President and CEO, they will work closely with the Leadership Team to coordinate their calendars to further cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Reports to: President and CEO
Responsibilities
Organizational Leadership
· Set financial annual goals and quarterly benchmarks for relationship development within traditional and nontraditional philanthropic communities.
· Within six months, present a comprehensive fundraising/communications plan with a budget for staff, events, travel, software, etc.).
· Determine appropriate training modules for the staff and Board to elevate acumen on fund development, donor recruitment processes and protocols.
· Implement framework (including workflows and individual team fundraising activation plans) to optimize the board and senior staff’s participation in the fundraising process.
· Provide guidance and leadership to President and CEO, SVP of Programs, and SVP of Strategy for effectively managing Foundation’s donor engagement growth.
Communications
· In concert with Communications Department, manage, articulate, and tailor the Foundation’s unique messaging to advance the education justice movement.
· Monitor key external trends and provide guidance on how the Foundation aligns or responds directly in its messaging within the philanthropic field.
· Develop and steward the voice of the institution in person and online. Lead in the design of institutional branding, management of public relations, social media, and organizational communication strategies.
Fundraising
· Hire additional staff and consultants to support the successful execution of the plan.
· Provide leadership to direct reports including the establishment of annual goals, mentorship, professional development, and performance reviews.
· Identify, cultivate, solicit, and grow a portfolio of the organization’s most significant supporters.
· Establish an internal management and tracking system for the day-to-day operations of prospect development.
· Define the fundraising protocols and policies to reflect the institution’s core values and mission for change.
Finance
· Partner with Finance on long-term forecasts and resource planning; set clear metrics for success over the short and long term based on data of likely funding sources and overall recruitment strategy.
· Establish fundraising goals and annual budget planning process maintaining a high level of fiscal responsibility for revenue generation.
Qualifications
· Seven to ten years of progressively responsible experience in a comprehensive non-profit fundraising and communications program, including two years in a position with staff management responsibilities. Proven senior-level managerial, problem-solving and strategic planning experience with commensurate fiscal responsibility, for a public, private, or nonprofit organization.
· Critical interest in and deep passion for the Schott Foundation’s mission and programs.
· Knowledge of both the education justice sector and philanthropic sectors required. An anchoring within one area of Schott Foundation’s work (education justice, nonprofit social change, philanthropy).
· A dedication to the diverse communities served by the Schott Foundation.
· Fundraising ability and enthusiasm; demonstrated experience raising significant funds from a variety of sources and an ability to play a leadership role in development; strong social, professional, corporate and foundation contacts in the education justice/racial equity space considered a plus.
· Political savvy and comfort with broad-based constituencies including grassroots organizers, high-net worth individuals, philanthropists, and business and community leaders; the ability to generate awareness, excitement, and appreciation that leads to buy-in from diverse sectors.
· The presence and credibility to serve as an effective spokesperson and ambassador for The Schott Foundation in partnership with or on behalf of the President and CEO, with outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
· Entrepreneurial and strategic, able to conceptualize and express ideas and with the ability to anticipate and act on events which might create opportunities for the Foundation.
· Ability to manage multiple projects as priorities change, with an exceptional eye for detail and accuracy and focused on meeting all deadlines and performance goals.
· Model a leadership style that is inclusive, supportive, collaborative, and respectful of diverse staff, partners and supporters.
· Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, as well as well-honed listening skills; demonstrates a high degree of emotional intelligence, creativity and innovation, authenticity, and a good sense of humor.
· Personal integrity and trustworthiness; a fine-tuned sense of discretion in the handling of confidential and sensitive matters.
· An intuitive command of, and respect for, the role of community in the success of an institution.
· An ethical individual who imparts trust, integrity, sensitivity, tolerance and is able motivate others in a similar vein.
· Sense of humor and ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced virtual environment.
Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff are fundamental principles at Schott, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.
How to apply: Please email your resume and a substantive cover letter to jobs@schottfoundation.org. Be sure to include “SVP of Advancement” in the subject line.
