Olympia Education Foundation

Compensation

Full Description

Organization Overview The Olympia Education Foundation (the Foundation) is a well-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization committed to supporting and enriching the students and staff of the Olympia School District. Position Summary The Executive Director (E.D.) of the Olympia Education Foundation is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, administration, and program execution of our organization in support of our mission of “empowering every student through community support.” The E.D. plays a pivotal role in establishing and nurturing partnerships with donors, stakeholders, Olympia School District staff and board members, and the Foundation Board of Trustees, to whom the E.D. reports. By effectively managing fundraising initiatives and fostering strong community ties, the E.D. enables the Foundation to provide essential resources and support to students and school staff. Responsibilities 1. Donor Relations • Develop and implement a comprehensive donor relations strategy to engage, cultivate, and steward current and prospective donors. • Establish and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and other community partners to secure financial and in-kind support. • Recognize donors' and sponsors’ contributions through various means, including personalized acknowledgment, newsletters, events, and social media. • Provide regular reports to donors on the impact of their contributions and effectively communicate the Foundation's fundraising needs and priorities. 2. Fundraising • With support and collaboration from the Board of Trustees, the E.D. will develop a comprehensive annual fundraising timeline and strategy that addresses: • Fundraising events • Provides vision, leadership and direction throughout the event planning process. • Engages existing and potential sponsors for financial and other donations. • Provides support to Event Chairs and Committees as deemed necessary to execute a successful event. • Grant writing • Identify and research potential grant opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s mission and programs. • Prepare and submit compelling grant proposals, letters of intent, and applications to secure funding from charitable organizations and foundations, government agencies, and other appropriate funding sources. • Gather data and insights for grant applications and reports, ensuring accurate persuasive narratives that showcase the Foundation’s impact. • Monitor grant compliance requirements and report deadlines, and ensure timely submission of all necessary follow-up reports and documentation. • Donor appeals, newsletters, and reports • Regularly prepare and distribute compelling appeals that result in one-time, ongoing and/or legacy gifts. • Regularly prepare and distribute reports to donors that highlight the impact of their support of our programs and mission. 3. Board Development • Work closely with the Board of Trustees to establish strategic goals, objectives, and policies aligned with the Foundation’s mission. • Provide support to the Board by organizing regular meetings, preparing and reviewing meeting materials, and presenting progress reports on fundraising activities and program outcomes. • Facilitate board development initiatives, including recruitment, orientation, training, and engagement of trustees. • Foster a collaborative and productive relationship with the Board to leverage their skills, networks, and expertise in advancing the Foundation's mission. 4. Olympia School District Relations • Serve as the primary liaison between the Olympia Education Foundation and the Olympia School District. • Establish and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders in the school district, including the superintendent and other administrative staff, school board members, principals, teachers, counselors, family liaisons and other school staff. • Collaborate with the Olympia School District to identify areas where the Foundation can provide support through its existing programs. 5. Strategic Planning and Implementation • Collaborate with the Board of Trustees to develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan that encompasses short and long-term objectives to advance the Foundation’s mission and goals. • Monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of programs and initiatives to ensure alignment with the strategic plan in collaboration with Board Committees. Required Qualifications The candidate must have: • A commitment to the Foundation’s mission. • Knowledge of OSD schools, regional businesses, and the local philanthropic community at large. • Bachelor’s Degree; related experience will be considered as a substitute for education requirements. • A fundraising certificate as outlined by the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), or willingness to attain one and/or pursue other related professional development. • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • The ability to work independently and must be action-oriented and self-motivated. • Strong organizational and planning skills. • Willingness to work flexibly, both in an office and remotely; ability to work a limited number of weeknights and weekends to accommodate activities and represent the Foundation at events outside the normal work week. • Proficient technology and social media skills to fulfill the duties outlined above. Desired Qualifications The ideal candidate will have: • Experience in the non-profit sector, fundraising, financial management, grant writing, working with volunteers and/or volunteer development. • Prior employment or experience with the public education system. • Specific experience with organizational software and systems including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, MailChimp, Compass360, Squarespace, QuickBooks, and other related or similar programs. • Demonstrated skill in actively managing social media accounts. Additional Details • The starting hourly wage for this position ranges from $32–$42 per hour, depending on experience. • This is a part-time position, with potential to expand based on the candidate’s demonstrated success in grant writing and donor cultivation to support the growth of the role. • A stipend may be available to help cover the cost of individual health insurance coverage. • Flexible working hours and remote work options. • First application review will be March 10, 2026 • Deadline for applications is March 31, 2026 Pay: $32.00 - $42.00 per hour Expected hours: 20.0 per week Benefits: • Paid time off Application Question(s): • Do you have experience with the Compass360 platform? Education: • Bachelor's (Preferred) Experience: • Non-profit management: 3 years (Preferred) Ability to Commute: • Olympia, WA 98506 (Required) Work Location: In person