Vice President, Advancement

Description

Who We Are

In 2020, 11.6 million children in the U.S.—16% of all children nationwide—lived in poverty, and those children were disproportionately children of color. Students living in poverty often have physical and mental health, social-emotional, cognitive, and identity development needs that schools are not equipped to support. Rooted in community for more than 45 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. CIS Co-Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that transform children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children.” 

Bill Milliken’s vision is alive through a strong network of trained CIS staff imbedded in schools nationwide building support and relationships inside schools. Today, CIS serves more than 3,500 schools, the overwhelming majority are Title I-eligible schools across two channels: (1) independent affiliates and (2) licensed partnerships. Grounded in the power of transformative relationships to unlock a young person’s potential, CIS has a national, research-based history of delivering local results that support improved student relationships with adults, better-quality relationships with peers, and increased engagement and sense of belonging. These outcomes lead to improved attendance, improved academic success, and improved on-time high school graduation rates. 

Mission And Values

Communities In Schools (CIS) is “all-in” for kids. It is our passion—it is our mission. At the National Office, CIS collaborates with local affiliate organizations to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. We are the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, and we achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do. 

Within the national office, we foster a culture inspired by our mission, our values of integrity, accountability, equity, collaboration, and excellence, and a commitment to Equity, and Inclusion. Our culture is centered on three core tenants:  

• We acknowledge contributions and perspectives. 
• We collaborate across roles and departments. 
• We honor a whole-person approach and encourage balance. 

We aim to create a psychologically safe environment where relationships matter, and mutual respect is paramount.  

About The Role

The Vice President, Advancement, reports directly to the President/CEO and plays a critical role in the organization. This leader is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy, managing a high-performing Advancement team, maintaining a personal portfolio of major donors, and serving as a thought partner working collaboratively with organizational leadership to help build resources that will expand mission impact.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year fundraising strategy that encompasses individual, corporate, and foundation giving.
• Lead all aspects of the fundraising program, including major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, grant writing, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and lead a comprehensive capital campaign aligned with the organization's strategic priorities to secure transformational philanthropic support.
• Manage a high-value portfolio of major donors and prospects.
• Strategically manage the CEO’s involvement in donor cultivation and engagement to enhance relationship-building and increase fundraising impact. 
• Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors to cultivate and solicit major gifts and philanthropic investments.
• Collaborate with Marketing/Communications and Program teams to align messaging and storytelling with fundraising goals.
• Utilize data, technology, and AI-driven insights to inform, execute, and continuously improve fundraising strategies and donor engagement efforts.
• Analyze trends in the philanthropic landscape to guide strategic direction and innovation in fundraising practices.
• Champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice in all advancement initiatives.

Team & Infrastructure Development

• Recruit, lead, and mentor a high-impact Advancement team.
• Foster a results-oriented, donor-centric culture rooted in collaboration and accountability.
• Develop fundraising goals, metrics, and KPIs to track progress and guide decision-making.
• Lead both qualitative and quantitative analysis of fundraising performance to shape data-informed, investor-centric strategies and reporting.
• Oversee systems and processes for gift processing, donor acknowledgment, CRM/database management, reporting, and stewardship.
• Design and manage the Advancement department’s annual budget in alignment with organizational priorities.

Donor Cultivation & Engagement

• Build and steward relationships with individual major donors, corporate partners, and foundation stakeholders.
• Design and implement customized cultivation and stewardship plans to deepen donor engagement and grow giving levels.
• Plan and execute strategic donor events and recognition activities.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board to prepare proposals and close six- and seven-figure gifts aligned with donors' interests.

Organizational Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Play a critical role in shaping the organization’s strategy and direction, contributing to its overall success and long-term impact.
• Lead annual and long-range planning for the Advancement department.
• Provide regular reports and strategic insights to the CEO and Board regarding fundraising progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and manage departmental budgets, forecast revenue and expenses, and drive strong, mission-aligned financial results.
• Ensure the organization’s short- and long-term financial needs are met through effective planning, donor stewardship, and diversified revenue strategies.
• Ensure alignment of fundraising efforts with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.

Requirements

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable differently-abled individuals to perform the essential functions.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a minimum of 12 years of progressive fundraising experience, with a strong focus on high-net-worth individuals, corporate giving, and foundation relations.
• At least 5 years of proven experience successfully managing and leading high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated success in leading a large advancement function with a strong track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• A strong track record of achieving tangible fundraising outcomes in a competitive field.
• Deep knowledge of the full scope of fundraising activities, including prospect cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• A demonstrated passion for CIS’ mission and subject matter expertise. 
• Prior experience creating strategic multiyear fundraising plans.
• Broad and effective people management skills including performance management, coaching, mentoring, and staff development.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships across departments, teams, and external stakeholders.
• Strong financial skills with experience developing, managing, and adjusting departmental and project-specific budgets.
• Experience collaborating with internal research teams to identify and qualify major donor prospects using data and technology.
• Proficient in technology and software commonly used in fundraising, including donor databases and online research tools. Salesforce experience a plus!
• Advanced PC skills, particularly in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt messaging for different audiences and platforms.
• Proven strength in cross-functional collaboration and relationship building.
• Demonstrated success in project management, including the ability to lead initiatives from concept to completion.
• Strong time management, organization, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic, evolving work environment.
• Collaborative spirit with a genuine interest in supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive team culture.
• Enthusiastic about working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) preferred but not required.

Travel

Travel up to 25% may be required including travel in the domestic United States with occasional overnight stay(s).

About Us

CIS staff continue to work in a virtual environment; however, the national office is open and available for staff to use as appropriate. 

To ensure the health and safety of staff and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted by phone and/or video conference.

Benefits & Perks

Work that makes a difference—the opportunity to contribute to an important mission!

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Generous 403b Retirement Savings Plan contribution
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Winter Break
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term income replacement programs, and much, much more!

Communities In Schools is committed to a workforce that is representative of the varied communities we are privileged to serve. We provide a work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For more information on Communities In Schools please visit our website.