Position: Director of Development

Company: Elevation Scholars, Inc.

Compensation: $80,000 to $90,000 dependent on experience (plus potential for 10% annual bonus) 

Who We Are:

Elevation Scholars invests in high-achieving students from high-need families who have demonstrated an ability to impact their schools and communities. Our goal is to increase their college access and ensure successful completion of college degrees from the nation's most competitive colleges and universities.

We believe our students have earned the right to attend top schools but know without our support nearly one third of applicants would never step foot on a college campus. We believe college attainment helps everyone - students, families, and the community at large, and strive to be Central Florida’s leading organization empowering high-achieving, high-need students to achieve college success and lifelong impact!

About This Role:

Elevation Scholars is seeking a strategic, results-driven Director of Development to lead and execute all aspects of our fundraising and donor engagement strategy. This individual will play a key role in ensuring the organization’s fiscal health and long-term sustainability through effective donor acquisition, stewardship, and diversified revenue generation.

An ideal candidate has demonstrated success raising funds in excess of $1M, is passionate about education, has shared experiences of first-generation, minority college students and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to connecting people with financial resources to economically disadvantaged clients.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy & Revenue Growth

- Design and implement a comprehensive strategic annual fundraising plan to meet or exceed revenue goals.

- Execute all fundraising activities including but not limited to grant management, corporate giving, major giving, campaigns, and events.

- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations.

- Develop a pipeline of new donor prospects to broaden the funding base and drive sustainable revenue growth.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

- Build and maintain strong relationships with individual, corporate, and foundation donors.

- Develop strong relationships within the community to foster a positive image such that companies, schools, civic organizations and individuals will make the Elevation Scholars the local charity of choice for funding.

- Oversee donor retention strategies, donor satisfaction efforts, and recognition programs to build long-term relationships.

Events & Community Engagement

- Collaborate & strategically assist with fundraising implementation, guest management, and attendee stewardship for organization events.

Represent Elevation Scholars at community, corporate, and civic events; deliver presentations as needed to promote the organization’s mission.

Team & Systems Management

- Supervise the Grant Writer in researching and submitting grant applications and managing reporting requirements.

- Track grant deadlines and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.

- Maintain accurate donor records and reports using Raiser’s Edge NXT.

- Analyze giving trends and prepare regular development reports for leadership and Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree required

- CFRE preferred

- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with a proven track record raising more than $1M in revenue through donor acquisition, grants, corporate fundraising, and major gifts

- Strong knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor cultivation, and stewardship strategies

- Proficient in donor database systems, preferably Raiser’s Edge NXT

- A strong commitment to the mission of Elevation Scholars and an ability to passionately work towards solving for educational inequality with an unshakable belief in student potential

- Leadership and management experience, including supervising staff and volunteers.

- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.

- Ability to effectively work with diverse constituencies in a fast-paced professional work environment

- The flexibility to occasionally work some evenings and weekends

Compensation & Benefits

- Annual salary of $80,000 to $90,000 dependent on experience with opportunity for up to 10% annual bonus

- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans available

- 401K

- Generous PTO policy

- 28 paid holidays determined annually by the company