Vice President of Development

Arete Scholars is a mission-driven nonprofit organization grounded in a simple but powerful belief:

every child deserves access to a high-quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Through donor-funded, K–12 scholarships and innovative partnerships, Arete expands educational opportunity for low-income families, strengthens school communities, and helps students pursue brighter futures marked by academic success, character formation, and long-term mobility.

As Arete continues to grow its impact and national footprint, we are seeking an exceptional Vice President of Development to help lead our next chapter.

The Vice President of Development is a senior executive leader responsible for driving philanthropic growth, strengthening donor partnerships, and expanding Arete’s national profile. Reporting directly to the President, this role serves as the organization’s chief development strategist and lead relationship-builder, working in close partnership with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team.

This position is ideal for a highly experienced, mission-driven fundraising leader who thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment and is energized by building systems, relationships, and strategies that unlock opportunity for students and families.

This is a full-time position with significant leadership responsibility and external-facing.

• Provide visionary leadership for all development efforts, including major gifts, tax credit contributions, annual giving, planned giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, special events, and digital fundraising.
• Partner closely with the President, Board of Directors, and senior leadership to design and execute a comprehensive, multi‑year revenue strategy that supports organizational growth, sustainability, and program expansion.
• Establish clear fundraising priorities and performance benchmarks aligned with Arete’s mission, strategic plan, and long‑term impact goals.
• Regularly analyze fundraising performance and donor trends to inform strategy and

• Build, manage, and personally steward a portfolio of major donors and high‑capacity prospects, cultivating deep, trust‑based relationships and inspiring transformational support.
• Serve as a compelling ambassador for Arete’s mission, articulating impact with clarity, authenticity, and conviction.
• Ensure donor stewardship practices reflect Arete’s commitment to gratitude, transparency, excellence, and long‑term partnership.
• Lead the development of customized donor experiences, scholarship impact reporting, and recognition initiatives that reinforce sustained engagement.

• Build and oversee a best‑in‑class development operation, including prospect research, donor pipelines, stewardship systems, and data‑driven reporting.
• Develop, mentor, and lead the Development team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Ensure effective use of CRM systems and research tools to maximize donor engagement, operational efficiency, and insight‑driven decision‑making.

• Serve as a senior external representative of Arete Scholars at local, state, and national events, cultivating relationships with philanthropic, corporate, education, and policy leaders.
• Identify and develop strategic partnerships that expand Arete’s reach, visibility, and funding.
• Build a strong professional network and position Arete as a trusted leader and voice in educational opportunity and student mobility.

• Work closely with the communications team to elevate Arete’s brand, expand audience reach, and strengthen donor acquisition and engagement strategies.
• Collaborate with program and scholarship operations to integrate compelling storytelling, outcomes data, and student impact into all development initiatives.
• Partner across departments to ensure alignment between fundraising strategy, program delivery, and organizational priorities.

• Bachelor’s degree…