About the employer
Coastal Kids Preschool, a Maine 501(C)(3), is an inclusive early childhood education program in Damariscotta, Maine, serving children of all incomes and abilities. For the past 29 years, Coastal Kids has provided high quality, developmentally appropriate preschool, after school, and summer camp programs for students from 18 months to 7 years old. We encourage children’s creativity, kindness, and learning through an active and inclusive program of play and discovery.
Coastal Kids is proud to be one of the only preschool programs in our region to hold accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and to be a State of Maine Quality Rating and Improvement System Rising Star for ME 5! – the highest designation offered by the state’s early care and education professional development network. We are also the largest provider of inclusive preschool special education services in the region.
Coastal Kids serves a total of 85 students and has a staff of 32 teachers, administrators, ed techs, 1:1 aides, and therapists. One third of our 78 full-time, licensed slots are allocated for children with identified special needs. We currently serve students from 17 towns in the midcoast region.
About the position
Coastal Kids is seeking a dynamic, creative, and experienced individual to serve as the school’s next Development Director, creating and implementing a robust fundraising plan to support our school’s educational mission; this plan includes annual giving, the cultivation and stewardship of major donors, grant writing and foundation support, state and federal advocacy, and corporate donor partnerships. Approximately 20% of our $1.3 million annual operating budget is currently funded by development efforts.
The Development Director is responsible for developing, executing, and leading a comprehensive fundraising program to help achieve Coastal Kids Preschool’s overall mission, goals, and programs, and will join a talented and collaborative senior management team. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young people, to be an important part of a vibrant midcoast Maine community, and to serve as a passionate advocate for Coastal Kids and for early childhood education and special education.
FLSA Status: Part Time, Hourly
Supervisor: The Development Director reports directly to the Director of Coastal Kids Preschool.
Work Location and Description: Damariscotta, Maine (Lincoln County)
Hybrid schedule with significant flexibility for work within the community. The position requires some physical presence on campus at Coastal Kids Preschool and at community events throughout the year, as well as regular local and occasional regional travel to meet with donors and funders and to engage in state and/or national advocacy.
Duties and responsibilities
Development Leadership: Serve as an advocate and spokesperson for Coastal Kids Preschool, actively engaging with the community and with donors. This leader will actively enhance awareness of our organization's mission, activities, needs, and goals. This will include making public appearances, accepting speaking engagements, and attending community events, meetings, and conferences.
Strategy and Annual Work Plan: Develop and implement a comprehensive, results-oriented fundraising plan to secure financial support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and state and federal agencies. Incorporate both traditional and innovative fundraising strategies, aligned with the school’s strategic plan.
Collaboration and Support: Collaborate closely with the school’s Director, Bookkeeper, Board Chair, Development Committee and its Chair, and Board of Directors, including as-needed participation in Coastal Kids’ staff meetings, in-service days, Board meetings, and Development Committee meetings. Align fundraising strategies with Board/staff support and with program needs.
Cultivation, Engagement & Stewardship of Major Gifts: Develop and implement a major gift strategy to secure substantial financial support from individuals and corporations with the capacity to contribute more than $1,000. Research and identify prospective new donors. Build strong and lasting relationships with current and potential major donors through personalized communication, meetings, events, and other creative engagement activities.
Grants: Research foundation grant opportunities and lead grant writing with input from the staff and Board, as needed. Create case statements, proposals, and related collateral materials. Maintain and grow an annual foundation grants calendar including grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and follow-up.
Special Events: Collaboratively plan and manage special fundraising events for the school, as needed. Represent Coastal Kids at community events to engage with donors and potential donors.
Planned Giving: Work with the Development Committee to oversee the design and implementation of a planned giving strategy to build support through legacy gifts.
Campaign Management: Lead periodic fundraising campaigns to support major school projects in conjunction with the Board, staff, and external consultants and/or volunteers (as needed). Oversee campaign activities, timelines, events, communications, and marketing materials.
Communications: Collaboratively author all-school mailings and spring/fall appeal solicitations, newsletters, articles, social media posts, marketing materials, presentations, and/or other visual materials that will effectively communicate the school’s work to our donors and stakeholders. Serve as the primary point of contact for donor inquiries and maintain a high level of donor engagement and connection.
State and Federal Advocacy: Engage directly with NAEYC, MaineAEYC, MACSP, and/or other organizations that support early childhood education and/or services for those with special needs. Represent Coastal Kids and advocate for programming and funding at the state and/or national levels through conversations, written appeals, legislative testimony, and other means.
Required skills and knowledge
- Demonstrated experience in nonprofit or comparable development work including major gifts, planned giving, endowments, capital campaigns, and grant writing.
- Excellent track record in managing fundraising programs and initiatives.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills and ability to easily and comfortably establish meaningful relationships with a wide range of constituents including donors, grantors, Board, staff, and volunteers; ability to serve as an enthusiastic spokesperson for Coastal Kids and to exhibit a high level of comfort with public speaking.
- Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated success managing multiple tasks and deadlines; ability to work under deadline pressure.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to address challenges and find effective solutions.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and new responsibilities within a growing program.
- A commitment to ethical fundraising practices including maintaining a high level of discretion and donor confidentiality.
- Familiarity with grant application processes including outreach, proposals, budget preparation, and reporting requirements.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and DonorPerfect or comparable donor database software.
- Bachelor’s degree or combined education and work experience.
Job details
Compensation: $30.00 to $40.00 per hour, commensurate with experience.
Benefits after three months include paid time off, paid school holidays, staff tuition discounts for dependent children, professional development funding, and medical contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Average weekly hours: 20-30, depending on the requirements of the development plan and schedule.
Preferred Start Date: June 17, 2024
How to apply
Interested applicants should email a letter of interest and resume to Director Jenn Caron at jenn.caron@coastalkidsme.org. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is secured.
Coastal Kids Preschool
12 Jackies Trail
Damariscotta ME 04543
(207) 563-5335
www.coastalkidsme.org
Coastal Kids Preschool is an equal opportunity employer. The school and its Board of Directors do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, political affiliation, or religious beliefs.
Diversity and inclusion are vital to Coastal Kids Preschool’s mission, values, and practice. We foster and promote an inclusive environment that leverages the unique contributions of diverse students, staff, community members, and organizations in all aspects of our work. Diverse perspectives, experiences, ideas, and abilities enhance our school community and provide meaningful educational opportunities for our students.
