Advancement Officer

Advancement Officer

Heritage Christian School in Canton, Ohio

Providing a life-changing education experience grounded in Christian values, academic excellence, and family.

Position Overview

Heritage Christian School seeks a visionary and mission-driven Advancement Officer to lead a transformational fundraising program that will shape the future of our students, school, and community.

The Advancement Officer will manage and implement a multi-year strategy - including a capital campaign - to fund key campus improvements, begin the school’s endowment, and expand opportunities for families. This leader will inspire generosity, build strong relationships, and advance the mission of Heritage Christian School. Reporting directly to the Superintendent, the Advancement Officer will work closely with the Board of Education and Development Committee, as well as existing fundraising team members to achieve campaign goals.

Full-time, year-round position, with pay starting at $75,000 per year.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Supervision

· Create a comprehensive advancement strategic plan for the next three to five years

· Create measurable goals and outcomes to track progress

· Manage personnel in the fundraising department, aligning roles with objectives

· Oversee, maximize, and update the Bloomerang system

· Provide regular reports from the donor database to the Superintendent

· Use the donor database as a tool for identifying and cultivating relationships.

Campaign Leadership and Strategy

· Lead, and execute all phases of Heritage Christian School’s capital campaign, from quiet phase through public celebration.

· Partner with the Superintendent, Board, and campaign leadership to develop and implement donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.

· Manage campaign milestones, communications, budgets, and reporting to ensure transparency, accountability, and steady progress.

· Help to prepare compelling cases for support, proposals, and donor materials that communicate the impact of giving and align with Heritage’s mission and priorities.

· Provide regular updates and reports progress toward campaign goals.

Major Gifts and Donor Relations

· Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift ($10,000 ) prospects.

· Conduct ongoing donor visits locally and regionally to strengthen relationships and expand the base of support for Heritage.

· Develop personalized stewardship strategies to ensure donors feel valued and connected to the school’s mission and outcomes.

· Collaborate with parents, alumni, grandparents, and community partners to build a culture of generosity.

Volunteer and Board Engagement

· Recruit, train, and equip campaign volunteers and committee members to serve as effective ambassadors for Heritage Christian School.

· Support the Superintendent and campaign leadership with preparation materials, talking points, and donor briefings.

· Collaborate in Development Committee meetings, ensuring they are strategic and outcome-driven.

· Promote a spirit of unity and joy in giving throughout the Heritage community.

Institutional Alignment

· Positively reflect the mission of Heritage Christian School.

· Represent Heritage Christian School with professionalism, integrity, and enthusiasm at all times.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE certification preferred.

· Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or advancement.

· Leadership of a capital campaign or major gift program.

· Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts ($10,000 ).

· Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and trust among donors and volunteers.

· Strong strategic, organizational, and project management abilities.

· Proficiency with donor databases, Microsoft Office, and fundraising best practices.

· Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel regionally as needed.

· A personal commitment to Christian faith and to advancing the mission and values of Heritage Christian School.

About us, Heritage Christian School, Canton:

This school is unique and we love it that way. We consider ourselves a local mission field. We have the distinct privilege of living our faith with our co-workers and sharing it with students. We serve a diverse group of students from age 3 years through 8th grade. Members of the Heritage family are resilient problem-solvers who work hard to meet the holistic needs of students. Believing each student is capable of great things, team members are flexible, experienced with positive supports, and skillful in best practices for their areas. The opportunity to plant seeds and see the fruit of our labor is a unique reward of working at Heritage Christian School.

Job Type: Full-time

Base Pay: From $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Fundraising: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000