Vice President, Development

Company Description

About the Organization 

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools, nearly 16,500 educators, and nearly 190,000 students and alumni. 

Our mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. 

Our vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. 

The KIPP Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports KIPP public charter schools across the country. The KIPP Foundation helps to develop outstanding educators to lead KIPP schools; provides tools and resources for excellent teaching and learning; promotes innovation; and facilitates the exchange of insights and ideas across KIPP and other public schools and organizations. 

About Our Values: 

Excellent Results for Students: We value results over effort and know that our work is not finished until all students thrive. We maintain high expectations for self, team, and students. We drive outcomes by operating with agility, removing barriers, differentiating support, and prioritizing student-centered solutions—especially for those at the margins. 

Collective Impact: We are one team. We win together. We embody a one-team mindset by working collaboratively across teams, aligning goals, and leveraging the strengths of all teammates. We build trust-based relationships and ensure inclusive decision-making by engaging those closest to the work. We provide clarity through simple, repeatable systems and goals that enable transformational outcomes. 

Courageous Action: Our belief in what we can achieve is unwavering, fueling our optimism and commitment to overcome any challenge. We demonstrate an unwavering belief in students' potential and a commitment to addressing systemic inequities. We approach challenges with resilience, a solutions-focused mindset, and adaptability. We foster a psychologically safe environment centered on trust and accountability where feedback is encouraged. We leverage data to reflect on progress, own setbacks, celebrate successes, and continuously improve to maximize impact. 

Job Description

About The Position 

The Vice President of Development will play a pivotal leadership role in shaping and executing the fundraising strategy for KIPP Foundation.  This role is a key partner to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to drive philanthropic growth. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the VP will lead a team of talented development professionals and serve as a thought partner to both the CDO and the Chief Executive Officer. This leader will contribute meaningfully to KIPP’s bold vision to raise over $100 million annually.  They will be charged with identifying and cultivating new major donors—including multiple new supporters at the seven- and eight-figure level—to ensure KIPP’s long-term sustainability and impact. Beyond sustaining this annual fundraising engine, this leader will also collaborate with executive leadership in the recruitment of new national board members who bring not only deep commitment to KIPP’s mission but also seven-figure philanthropic capacity, and play an supporting role in launching a new growth fund. 

The ideal candidate is both a relationship-builder and a strategic operator: someone who inspires confidence in regional leaders, national board members, and senior executives alike through sound judgment, sharp strategic thinking, and deep fundraising expertise. They must bring a passion for KIPP’s mission, a commitment to excellence in donor stewardship, and a desire to build systems, teams, and partnerships that fuel ambitious growth. 

Responsibilities 

The VP’s work will span three major, interconnected workstreams: 

1. High Net Worth Donor Strategy 

• Build and manage a robust portfolio of ultra-high net worth individuals, with a targeted focus on 1-2 strategic geographies; this includes: 

  • Cultivating new seven- and eight-figure donors aligned with KIPP’s One KIPP strategy to become the best K–12 public school system—academically excellent, joyful, and identity-affirming.

  • Designing and executing a personalized, best-in-class stewardship strategy tailored to both donor preferences and KIPP’s organization-wide priorit