WHO WE ARE

Ellis Early Learning (Ellis) is a vibrant nonprofit with a proud history dating back to 1885. We are redefining what it means to deliver inclusive, equitable, and high-quality early education. Ellis is among only 6% of early childhood programs accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Ellis is more than a learning center—we’re a nationally recognized model for diversity and innovation in early childhood education. Serving more than 300 children annually across two vibrant campuses in the South End and Jamaica Plain, we ensure every child, regardless of their background, develops the social, emotional, and academic skills to thrive in school and life.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This is an exciting moment to join Ellis. The Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is a key strategic partner to the CEO, responsible for identifying and securing the resources necessary to propel Ellis into its next era of impact. This role demands a visionary leader with a proven track record in managing development operations and creating comprehensive advancement strategies. The CAO must be proactive, results-driven, and possess exceptional interpersonal skills to inspire support and drive meaningful impact.
The CAO leads all fundraising, external communications, and advancement efforts for the organization, including individual giving, grants, and corporate partnerships. In collaboration with the CEO, the CAO sets the
vision and strategy for Ellis’s advancement efforts and serves as the organization’s primary fundraiser, cultivating and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to drive revenue and elevate Ellis’s programs and mission.
As a member of Ellis’s 4-person senior leadership team, the CAO reports directly to the CEO and manages a staff of four. A central focus of the role is to build and sustain a robust individual giving program, engaging Ellis’s parents, alumni, and the broader community and raising $2.0 M annually with an expectation to nearly double that goal by 2028.
The CAO plays a vital role in supporting the CEO’s management of the Board of Directors, providing strategic guidance and staffing for the Development, Nominating and Governance, and Program Committees.
Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 10 years of experience in development with a strong track record of major gift cultivation and solicitation, successfully raising at least $2.5M.
• Deep belief in the importance of early childhood education and a growth mindset that aligns fundraising

efforts with the organization’s mission and impact.

• Resourceful and entrepreneurial, with a hunger for tackling challenges, taking initiative, and thriving in a dynamic, multi-faceted role that spans various functions.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to cultivate relationships, inspire donors, and effectively represent the organization externally.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing grants and ability to craft compelling proposals and impactful stewardship reports.
• Advanced understanding of nonprofit finance as it relates to fundraising, coupled with strategic planning skills to chart actionable courses and achieve measurable goals.
• Working knowledge of database management, with a preference for Salesforce experience.
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a passion for creating opportunities for children and families.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States by the first day of employment.

• Strategic Fundraising Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising plan focusing on individual and corporate giving, foundation funding, signature events, communications, and donor stewardship.
• Inspiring a Culture of Philanthropy: With the support of the CEO, further advance a culture of philanthropy across all stakeholder groups, including board members, trustees, staff, parents, alumni families, and the broader community.
• Financial Alignment: Work closely with the finance team to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, monthly reconciliation, proactive cash flow monitoring to support fundraising goals, and grant compliance.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, empower, and retain the Advancement team, fostering a culture of accountability, professional growth, and high performance.
• Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Strengthen and expand relationships with corporate partners by creating innovative engagement opportunities that showcase Ellis’s mission and impact. Identify new non-government grant opportunities to diversify revenue streams, guide and supervise the preparation of grant applications, submissions, and compliance.
• Major Gift Cultivation: Identify and cultivate prospective donors while stewarding existing donors through relationship management, events, strategic outreach, and generating major gift proposals.
• Communications: Oversee the creation of compelling, donor-facing materials on behalf of the CEO and Board, including the annual report, newsletters, campaign collateral, and digital communications.
• Board Engagement: Serve as the senior staff liaison to the Development and Nominating & Governance Committees. Lead efforts to identify, recruit, and onboard new board members, ensuring their orientation and alignment with Ellis’s mission and goals.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Oversee donor database management (Salesforce), ensuring data accuracy and insights to inform strategy. Regularly prepare and present donor metrics and progress reports to the CEO and Board of Directors.