Director of The Annual Fund

Full time, exempt (12 months)

Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer

William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, all-gender, PK-12 independent, day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding of and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

Position Summary

The Director of the Annual Fund is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and growth of Penn Charter’s comprehensive Annual Fund program. This individual plays a critical role in building a culture of philanthropy across the school community, with a focus on deepening engagement and broadening participation among all constituent groups, including parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty/staff, and friends of the school.

Working closely with colleagues in Development, Communications, and across the School, the Director leads all aspects of the Annual Fund—from segmentation, volunteer management, and donor stewardship to integrated appeals, data analysis, and goal setting. The Director of the Annual Fund also helps foster a vibrant network of volunteer ambassadors and encourages meaningful volunteerism throughout the school community.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a strategic, multi-channel Annual Fund campaign that aligns with institutional priorities and meets or exceeds annual revenue and participation goals
• Cultivate and steward Annual Fund donors and prospects through personal outreach, targeted communications, and creative engagement strategies
• Collaborate with Communications to create compelling messaging and appeals for print, email, web, and social media
• In partnership with the Directors of Parent Engagement and Alumni Engagement, recruit, train, and manage a team of parent, alumni, and grandparent volunteers to support peer-to-peer fundraising and outreach
• Analyze donor data, track campaign progress, and produce regular reports for Development leadership and school administration
• Partner with colleagues to integrate the Annual Fund with events, stewardship programs, and leadership giving initiatives
• Coordinate closely with the Director of Parent Engagement and Director of Alumni Engagement to align Annual Fund efforts with broader community engagement
• Serve as a visible and enthusiastic advocate for philanthropy throughout the Penn Charter community
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Development, or their designee

Physical Demands

• Intermittent or prolonged periods of sitting and standing
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions
  
  

Salary and benefits

William Penn Charter School offers a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes comprehensive healthcare coverage for employees and their eligible dependents, retirement contributions, and tuition remission. William Penn Charter School is also a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

We will review application materials upon submission and interview candidates until the position has been filled. 

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred
• Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in fundraising, with a strong preference for Annual Fund or annual giving experience in an educational or nonprofit setting
• Proven track record of successful campaign execution and donor engagement
• Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with a keen eye for messaging and audience segmentation
• Experience working with CRM databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Veracross, or similar) and fundraising analytics
• Enthusiasm for independent school education and alignment with the mission and values of Penn Charter

About William Penn Charter School

William Penn Charter School is an all gender, Quaker, coeducational, PreK-12 independent day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter values scholarship and inquiry. Our school emphasizes academics, the arts, athletics, spiritual awareness and service learning.

Connections working at William Penn Charter School