Feb 7th, 2024
Mitchell Institute
Director of Development
( Maine | On-site )
About the Organization
Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the Mitchell Institute in the search for a Director of Development.
The Mitchell Institute’s guiding tenet—that no Maine student with the qualifications and ambition to pursue a college education should be denied that opportunity due to limited financial resources—is as important today as it was when Senator George J. Mitchell established the Institute. From its inception, the Mitchell Institute has made financial investments in deserving students from every community in Maine.
Since its founding, the Mitchell Institute has awarded more than $24 million in scholarship funds, representing an enormous investment in Maine communities. More than 25 years since the Institute started awarding scholarships, its mission—and Senator Mitchell’s vision—are more important to Maine’s vitality than ever. The Mitchell Institute unlocks the potential of Maine college students so they can contribute to the vitality of their communities. Scholarships are awarded each year to graduating students from Maine’s public high schools as they pursue higher education. Recipients of the Mitchell Scholarship represent public high schools from every community in Maine. Mitchell Scholars are selected based on academic promise, community impact, and financial need.
Once Scholars are selected, the Mitchell Institute helps them navigate college and the world beyond through personal and professional support. In addition to offering financial scholarship support, the Mitchell Institute offers a wide array of personal, academic, and professional support programs, as well as a network of Mitchell Scholars, Alumni, and partners—all of which amount to much more than a check. Since 1995, more than 3,600 Mitchell Scholars have received funding and support.
The Mitchell Institute offers Mitchell Scholars a suite of programs and resources that encourage a partnership with each Scholar, every step of the way, allowing the Institute to meet and help Scholars where they are. Today, Scholars and Alumni alike say that the combination of financial and personal support makes a world of difference for them and their families, and data shows that the more a Scholar is engaged, the more likely they are to graduate on time in their post-secondary education. The Mitchell Institute’s approach works: 89% of Mitchell Scholars complete college and achieve a degree, compared with 62% of students nationally. Eighty-nine percent of Mitchell Scholar Alumni are working in career-related jobs—nearly two-thirds of them in Maine—and 40% have completed or are pursuing graduate degrees.
The Mitchell Institute is poised for growth. By scaling its proven program design and support network, the Institute can impact the lives of more deserving young people across Maine. With a sustained track record of exemplary outcomes—high degree completion, low student debt levels, deep community engagement, early career success, and social mobility—the Institute is increasing the reach of its program to more talented high school graduates who are at the critical tipping point of pursuing a college education and realizing their aspirations to build a better future for themselves and their communities.
Consistent with its mission to increase the likelihood that people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue, and achieve a college education, the daily work and program development of the Mitchell Institute is rooted in equity. The Institute continually engages at all levels of the organization in formal practices and channels, and with external expertise, to continually audit and strengthen its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Job Description
Position reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Position salary range: The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000 annually.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development will develop and execute strategies that drive sustainable program growth across the Institute. The Director of Development will lead the cultivation of new philanthropic opportunities and optimize current funding across revenue streams, including annual appeals and events, major and principal gifts, corporate partners and foundations, and planned giving.
All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the Mitchell Institute as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus. A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least eight years of fundraising experience is preferred for this position. The Mitchell Institute will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the Institute, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.
The Mitchell Institute is committed to the inclusion of all qualified candidates. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Jeanette Rivera-Watts at jeanetterw@aspenleadershipgroup.com.
To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/1392