Development Manager, ILM Academy

Position Title: Development Manager

Reports to: Principal 

Position: Full-Time

Location: On-site, Houston, TX (opportunity to work remotely one day/week) 

Compensation: $70,000 – $90,000

About ILM Academy

ILM Academy strives to provide an interactive, holistic, and nurturing approach to each student’s education. Our students grow in an atmosphere that integrates Islamic values with critical thinking and innovative problem-solving. Each student is given the opportunity to become a socially aware, global citizen who is ready to lead in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), embodying the guiding principle of Islam, or excellence in all things, in service to God, family, and community.

More about ILM Academy can be found on its website, accessible at https://ilmacademy.org/about/

The Role

ILM Academy is looking for an accomplished Development Manager driven by a profound passion to advance ILM’s mission to cultivate excellence in academics, Islamic character, leadership, and service to God and humanity. Collaborating closely with our dedicated board members and visionary staff leaders, the Development Manager will play a pivotal role in nurturing relationships with key donors, ensuring the enduring financial strength and sustainability of our organization.

Reporting to the Principal and working closely with the Chair of Fundraising, the Development Manager will have a pivotal role in fundraising for the organization. The goal of the position is to advance the organization’s mission by amplifying ILM’s primary fundraising channels to secure major gifts. The Development Manager has the mission to expand annual fundraising outcomes, with a goal to secure $500,000 – $700,000 annually and to implement an overall growth escalation plan for the organization’s budget year over year. 

Requirements

Impact Areas

The Development Manager leads ILM Academy’s extensive development program, with a special emphasis placed on major gifts from individual donors at $10,000 and above.

Fundraising Strategy

• Participate actively in all phases of the donor pipeline: identification, research-based qualification, cultivation, briefing, support request, follow-up, stewardship, and recognition.
• Lead the organization’s annual fundraising gala, including managing logistics, coordination, and post-event follow-up.
• Develop and implement strategies to re-engage and cultivate relationships with dormant or lapsed donors.
• Develop marketing and communications for donor engagement and stewardship including newsletter content and case for support.
  

Major Gifts 

• Steward major gifts in the amount of $10,000 and above.
• Nurture donors, effectively moving them from one giving level to higher tiers through personalized cultivation and solicitation efforts.
• Cultivate and broaden relationships with major gift donors through donor engagement, direct solicitations, donor receptions, in-person visits, and regular communication.
• Connect with local community members 

Donor Database Management

• Oversee a donor database, meticulously tracking data, communication, and interactions.
• Utilize mining techniques to identify and prioritize existing donors with the capacity for major gifts.
• Ensure the accuracy and currency of the donor database, monitoring contributions and touchpoints.
• Generate monthly reports to assess and monitor major gift fundraising metrics.

Team Collaboration

• Work collaboratively, coordinate and oversee part-time staff, freelancers and vendors
• Collaborate with the Board and Chair of Fundraising to create compelling materials conveying the organization’s mission and impact.
• Fulfill additional responsibilities as requested by the Principal.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience or knowledge of Muslim-based philanthropy 
• 5 years of major gifts experience working with individuals and community groups
• A proven track record of successfully securing major gifts of $10,000 or more is required
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and networking skills
• Demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit by proactively identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement
• Project management skills, multitasking ability, and keen attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with ethical fundraising practices and compliance with relevant regulations
• Shows a goal-oriented attitude, setting ambitious targets and developing actionable plans to achieve them
• Demonstrates a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude, actively engaging in tasks and projects to drive results."
• Knowledge of the Muslim community in Houston is an asset 
• Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including weekends, evenings
• Ability to thrive in both independent and team-based work, effectively collaborating with diverse constituencies

Benefits

Location and Compensation

• In office, Houston, TX (opportunity to work remotely one day/week) 
• $10,000 performance based bonus
• 2 weeks of paid time off
• 10 paid company holidays
• Health insurance 
• Tuition discount
• Professional development budget 

How to Apply

The ILM Academy has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Sonia Sheechoria at sonia@charitysearchgroup.com ​or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com.

ILM Academy is an equal-opportunity employer committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels of the organization. We recognize the importance of not viewing individuals based on a single identity, and we thrive on being equitable in our recruitment process and in our efforts to be inclusive of all employees.