POSITION DESCRIPTION

• Do you get energized by writing compelling grant proposals and managing donor relationships that directly support educational equity?
• Are you someone who thrives on creating and optimizing systems – like managing donor databases, tracking funding timelines, and building reports that inform strategy?
• Would you be excited to work closely with senior leadership (including the CEO) in a collaborative, mission-driven environment where your work directly impacts kids’ access to great schools?

Great MN Schools is looking for a full time Development Manager responsible for ensuring a seamless donor experience for current and prospective donors. This individual is a strong writer and project manager who enjoys creating and optimizing systems. The role supports our advancement team in key functions to ensure financial sustainability in support of our mission. Great MN Schools is a dynamic workplace with opportunities for learning and development. 

The position is full time (40 hours per week) with standard working hours between 9:00am – 5:00pm. The position is a hybrid role based in Minneapolis, requiring at least two days in-person office work each week (usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The position reports to the Senior Director of External Affairs and will also meet routinely with the Chief Executive Officer. 

Responsibilities include:

Grant Writing – 40%

• Write and submit all grant proposals
• Project manage and write all grant reports
• Support sponsorship opportunities with partner organizations and businesses 
• Translating results and data into compelling reports and presentations

Donor Management Systems – 50%

• Prepare donor meeting materials for the Senior Director of External Affairs and the Chief Executive Officer
• Manage end-to-end donor management systems, including grants calendar, donor database, and reports 
• Ensure timelines are met for renewable and potential funding sources 
• Inform development strategies through creation and tracking of key donor metrics 
• Build and run donor reports
• Steward donors through acknowledgment letters and other materials
• Develop and maintain documentation on infrastructure processes and procedures
• Collaborate with the team and senior leadership to set vision and direction for donor-facing events

Internal Meetings – 10%

• Manage logistics for donor-facing events
• Schedule donor meetings for Senior Director of External Affairs and Chief Executive Officer
• Research and prep Senior Director of External Affairs and Chief Executive Officer for donor engagement meetings 
• Contribute as a valued member of the external affairs team and provide support as needed for donor events

QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate takes initiative, thinks strategically, is detail oriented, able to juggle multiple projects at once, and enjoys working in a team setting. This person is passionate about education and closing education opportunity gaps in Minneapolis. They bring the following skills and personal characteristics:

Essential Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to effectively collaborate to reach shared outcomes
• Skilled in managing up to support senior development staff
• Experience with multi-tasking and managing multiple projects simultaneously 

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with Salesforce and project management software (such as Wrike)
• Experience using nonprofit enterprise AI systems, such as Claude AI
• Knowledge of K12 systems, particularly in Minneapolis
• Event planning experience

Personal Characteristics

• Strong commitment to Great MN Schools’ mission and vision for transforming K-12 education so that children of all races, means, and origins access excellent and equitable schools:
  • Mission—Ensure every child attends a great school that prepares them to thrive in their lives, careers, and community
  • Values—Honesty, Inclusivity, Intentionality, Courage, and Collaboration
• Growth mindset 
• Interest in developing intercultural communication skills in order live into our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and belonging
• Team-orientation with a strong commitment to collaborating on projects as needed

Location

Great MN Schools offices in the North Loop Minneapolis.

Compensation
$51,000-$66,000 per year commensurate with experience, plus a competitive benefits package, including 401K match, health, vision, and dental insurance, disability coverage, and access to HSA and FSA plans. Employee is also eligible for the team bonus program, designed to support collaboration and collective ownership, and to recognize shared impact on organizational goals.

Apply by October 10, 2025

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications submitted by October 10, 2025. Please fill out this form to apply.

If you require accommodation as part of the hiring process, please let us know!

Great MN Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity within our team. We encourage applicants who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabledholds with low incomes to apply.

About Great MN Schools

We work to ensure that every child attends an excellent and equitable school that prepares them to thrive in their lives, careers, and communities.   

Great schools that enroll kids from low-income backgrounds make a difference. These students grow academically at twice the rate, are twice as likely to graduate, and are six times as likely to earn a postsecondary degree. We focus on developing and sustaining great schools in Minneapolis for all students through:  

• Creating more high-performing schools for underserved communities. Our school-centered approach starts with identifying schools with strong leaders and culture and helping them diagnose their strengths and gaps. We facilitate the development of a strategic roadmap and surround schools with support to ensure the implementation of strategic interventions and evidence-based solutions. 
• Building community partnerships to support underserved families’ ability to navigate K-12 systems. We work with community organizations to provide families with helpful tools and resources, resulting in families choosing better options for their children, stronger family-school relationships, and stronger schools.
• Advancing proven solutions toward more high-performing schools. We elevate what’s possible and engage the community as partners in change.  

By working alongside schools and supporting families, we’re committed to transforming education equity for students—of all backgrounds—and elevating what’s possible.