Part-Time Executive Director

Organization: Wayzata Education Fund

Position Type: Part-Time (approximately 20-25 hours per week)

Location: Wayzata, Minnesota. This position will be expected to work remotely, but must be able to be in person in the Wayzata School District.

Reports To: Chair of the Wayzata Education Fund Board 

Salary/Benefits: $27-30/hour. This position is not eligible for health care benefits.

The Wayzata Education Fund is an all-volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2003 that raises funds to enrich and support the educational experience for students and staff within the Wayzata Public School district. Since 2003, we have donated more than $500,000 to provide "From Excellent to Exceptional" grants for innovative curricular projects, support district-wide initiatives aligned with the Wayzata Public Schools Strategic Roadmap, and enhance student health and wellbeing. For the past three years, we have received grant applications totalling between $150,000-$180,000 in sought funding.

Our mission is to raise funds that go beyond the standard district budget, fostering innovation in the classroom and offering students new opportunities for growth and learning. We achieve this through our annual Wild for Wayzata Gala, Highlight a Hero program, family engagement initiatives, and growing corporate and individual donor base.

The Wayzata Education Fund is seeking a strategic, relationship-focused Executive Director to lead our organization through an exciting growth phase. This part-time role will be instrumental in scaling our fundraising capacity from our current annual goal of $150,000 to $500,000 per year. The ideal candidate will be passionate about public education, skilled at building authentic relationships with donors, and experienced in developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that engage both corporate partners and individual philanthropists. A critical initial deliverable will be a database of potential donors in the Minnesota and broader area including Wayzata alumni, followed by donor segmentation and rationale for which donor segments to prioritize first.

Corporate Partnership Development

• Identify, cultivate, and steward corporate partnerships within the greater Minneapolis area, nationally, and internationally
• Develop compelling sponsorship packages for our Wild for Wayzata Gala and year-round initiatives
• Create meaningful engagement opportunities that align corporate giving with their business objectives
• Build a portfolio of multi-year corporate commitments to ensure sustainable funding

Major Gifts & Individual Donor Cultivation

• Develop and maintain relationships with individual major donors (gifts of $1,000 )
• Build out a database of potential donors based on primary research using tools like LinkedIn and other social media or alumni databases. Develop a prioritization framework for these donors to highlight high potential donors
• Recommend any software tools that are required for WEF to manage the organization and specifically fund-raising
• Implement a donor management system to track donor engagement and progression
• Conduct face-to-face and virtual meetings with current and prospective major donors
• Create personalized stewardship plans that demonstrate impact and build long-term loyalty
• Identify planned giving prospects and facilitate legacy conversations

Fundraising Strategy & Growth

• Design and execute a comprehensive development plan to achieve the $500,000 annual goal
• Diversify revenue streams beyond the annual gala (grants, recurring giving, capital campaigns, etc.)
• Analyze giving trends and donor data to inform strategic decision-making
• Set fundraising goals and benchmarks, reporting progress to the Board regularly

Annual Fund & Community Engagement

• Expand family participation across all Wayzata Public Schools families
• Grow the Highlight a Hero program as both a community-building and fundraising tool
• Develop communications and appeals that inspire giving at all levels
• Write and send communications to constituents, on social media channels, and other channels as required

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the volunteer Board of Directors
• Attend all Wayzata Education Fund Board meetings. Provide a monthly report to the Board of Directors. Partner with the Board Chair on agenda creation and implementation of action items.
• Support Board of Directors and committee relationships.
• Lead strategic planning and guide Board decision-making
• Oversee operational activities including budget management, financial reporting, and compliance
• Manage vendor relationships for events, marketing, and development tools
• Ensure adherence to nonprofit best practices and 501(c)(3) requirements

• Serve as the public face and spokesperson for the Wayzata Education Fund
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Wayzata Public Schools leadership and staff
• Represent WEF at community events, school functions, and networking opportunities
• Partner with organizations like the Wayzata High School Compass Program to create mutually beneficial collaborations

• Minimum 5 years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success in donor cultivation and major gifts
• Proven track record of building and maintaining donor relationships that result in increased giving
• Experience developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Proficiency with donor management systems (e.g., Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, or similar)
• Alignment with the mission of supporting public education
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening and weekend events

• Experience growing an organization's fundraising capacity significantly (2-3x growth)
• Background in education philanthropy or working with school districts
• Knowledge of the Wayzata community and Minneapolis philanthropic landscape
• Experience managing corporate sponsorship programs
• Familiarity with planned giving vehicles and major gift strategies
• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or related field

• Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience ($27-30/hour)
• Flexible schedule with opportunity for remote work
• Reimbursement for approved expenses
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on thousands of students in an exceptional school district

Please submit the following:

• Resume highlighting relevant fundraising experience and accomplishments
• Cover letter describing your approach to donor cultivation and why you're passionate about supporting public education
• Three professional references (to be contacted later in the process)

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

The Wayzata Education Fund is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and volunteers.

For more information about our work, visit wayzataedfund.org