Position: Advancement Manager

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Director of Advancement

Supervisory Role: Advancement Assistant

About Academy Prep

Mission: To inspire and empower students qualifying for need-based scholarships to become future community leaders through a rigorous middle school program coupled with ongoing graduate support.

Academy Prep Center of Lakeland (APL) is a tuition-free, private non-profit middle school that exclusively serves students in grades 5 through 8 who qualify for the federal free and reduced-price meals program. APL, founded in 2019, is a functionally independent school part of a network of schools, including the Academy Prep Center of St. Petersburg and the Academy Prep Center of Tampa, which have been in operation since 1997 and 2003, respectively. Each center is a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit and has its own head of school and board of trustees. Academy Prep administers a highly demanding academic program, followed by eight years of intensive guidance through high school and post-secondary education and careers; it promotes its students’ intellectual, athletic, emotional, and social development.

Role and Responsibilities The Advancement Manager supports the Director of Advancement in planning, executing, and evaluating advancement and communication activities, including annual giving campaigns, scholarship campaigns, major gifts, events, corporate gifts, capital gifts, endowment gifts, planned gifts, and other contributions. The Advancement Manager demonstrates a deep understanding of and commitment to the mission and vision of Academy Prep. This role involves managing fundraising events, donor relations, stewardship programs, and giving campaigns.

The Advancement Manager reports directly to the Director of Advancement, supervises the Advancement Assistant, and collaborates with the Director of Strategic Planning and Grants, and the Director of Marketing and Communication at the Academy Prep Foundation to support priority fundraising initiatives and shape the marketing strategy in support of the mission.

Event and Project Management:

Serve as the main point person for event chairs, overseeing committee meetings, invitations, minutes, and communications.
Act as the main contact for event sponsors regarding payment, guests, and special guests.
Coordinate logistics with venues and vendors.
Track event revenue and expenditures.
Conduct post-event follow-up and analysis to evaluate success and identify areas for improvement.
Oversee the live and silent auction at fundraising events, including item solicitation, bid tracking, and auction closeout.

Advancement Management:

Assist the Director of Advancement with annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation activities, special events, sponsorships, stewardship programs, and capital and endowment campaign planning and implementation.
Conduct donor research, friend-making activities, and follow-ups with potential donors.
Research new and creative approaches for fundraising.
Review donation data for development reports and general ledger reconciliation.
Assist with the Campus Tour program and additional school visits.
Assists with the Student Ambassador Program

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Extensive knowledge of PC-based computing as well as Cloud-based (Microsoft and Google).
Basic database knowledge and experience using a database.
General knowledge of basic accounting principles.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills (with strength in grammar and proofreading) and interpersonal skills.
Ability to arrive early or stay late based on events, tours, or special guests.
Ability to multi-task projects and prioritize within a defined time constraint.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required.
Experience in development, fundraising, or a related field preferred.
Understanding of non-profit organizations/educational settings preferred.
Experience with Razor’s Edge NXT, preferred
Passion for the mission of Academy Prep

Academy Prep Center of Lakeland

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Advancement Manager