KIPP Texas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network, dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for college success and choice-filled lives. Today, KIPP Texas operates 59 public charter schools educating over 31,100 students across four regions – Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income families.

You can see all our job opportunities at https://kipptexas.org/join-our-team/.

The Opportunity

The Manager of Development Events is responsible for fundraising to offset KIPP Texas’ annual operating deficit through special events in one or more of the regions in KIPP Texas. They are responsible for raising public awareness about KIPP Texas. The Manager of Development Events will also coordinate with other development team members to align individual and foundation donors with event opportunities. This position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas by seeking financial donations through development events that provide funding to offset KIPP’s annual operating deficit.   

Key Responsibilities

1. Coordinate annual Major Events and Salon Events in specific KIPP Texas cities: 

a. Work with Chairs to ensure that financial goals are reached through pledges, direct donations, table sales, etc.

b. Manage all aspects of the events including, but not limited to: finding a venue, negotiating contracts with vendors, producing the program, and managing the event budget

c. Collaborate with other development team members and KIPP Texas leadership team to develop the event invitation list, mail out “Save the Dates” and event invitations, and manage RSVPs from donors and other invited guests

d. Develop gift reports of received and pledged gifts for the event chairs so that they can help track fundraising efforts

e. Work with the Finance Department to reconcile gift amounts in Raiser’s Edge with accounts receivable 

f. Serve as the liaison between KIPP Texas and invited event speakers and guests 

g. Secure donations for event specific activities such as a “balloon sale” or other activities such as but not limited to silent/live auction 

h. Follow-up with donors post-event to collect pledged funds in collaboration with other development teammates

i. Collaborate with Marketing and Communications in order to create material for events as needed

2. Plan and coordinate all aspects of other events as deemed appropriate including other smaller events whether for fundraising, cultivation, or stewardship

3. Participate in Development team meetings

a. Understand team priorities, share updates from ongoing efforts and progress against goals and targets

b. Contribute perspective on team challenges and suggestions for individual and team effectiveness

4. Perform other job duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree, plus 3 years of experience in event coordination

• Work experience in fundraising or development 

• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills

• Strong organizational and planning skills

• Ability to work both on broad-based strategy and everyday details

• Ability to manage a timeline and to meet pertinent deadlines 

• Proven written and verbal communication skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

• Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge fundraiser and donor software

• Experience with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Quark is helpful, but not required

• Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, and fax machines

Compensation and Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary scale, a part of KIPP Texas’ competitive benefits options, KIPP offers all employees an $0 HMO plan for the employee only. In addition to our $0 plan, KIPP provides a $600 employer contribution towards a Health Savings Account and a variety of other supplemental benefits such as Dental, Vision, Short and Long-Term Disability, Pet Insurance, Life, etc.