Director of Advancement

Job Description

Donahue Academy, a classical pre-K to 12th grade school in Ave Maria, Florida is seeking a mission-driven Director of Advancement. Ave Maria, Florida, was established in 2005 under the leadership of Roman Catholic philanthropist Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza. Monaghan envisioned the town as a hub for the renewal of Catholic life through dedicated Catholic institutions. In 2007, Ave Maria Grammar and Prep was established as an independent school to serve Catholic families.

In 2009, philanthropist and AMU Trustee John F. "Jack" Donahue made a generous donation in honor of his wife, Rhodora Jacob Donahue, the matriarch of their family of 13 children. As a result, the school was renamed the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy, commonly known as Donahue Academy.

In 2017, the Diocese of Venice acquired both the oratory-now Ave Maria Catholic Church-and the school. Since then, Donahue Academy has more than doubled its faculty, staff, and student body. This sign of vitality is just one of the ways in which the Lord continues to bless and guide the school and its families.

Mission: Donahue Academy is a Catholic, classical school where students encounter Christ and pursue excellence in all things. Students will deepen their love of God and others through the pursuit of all that is true, good, and beautiful.

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven leader with a deep commitment to Catholic education and a proven track record in fundraising, donor relations, and strategic development. They should possess strong communication and relationship-building skills, engaging with alumni, parents, and benefactors to foster a culture of philanthropy and community support. Additionally, they must be a visionary planner, capable of implementing effective advancement initiatives, managing major campaigns, and securing financial resources to sustain and grow the school's mission.

The search committee is on a fast-track to identify and secure the next Director of Advancement. All inquiries and applications will be treated with the highest degree of confidentiality and with the greatest respect. Candidates are expected to be available to assume the responsibilities of the position in July 2025 or sooner.

For more information about Donahue Academy, please visit their website: https://donahueacademy.org/

While the position prospectus is being created, interested candidates are encouraged to email Kyle Pietrantonio directly to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

To apply, please submit the following materials as separate PDF attachments in one email to Kyle Pietrantonio at kpietrantonio@partnersinmission.com

• Cover letter that aligns your experiences and skills with the school's current needs as you understand them.
• Current resume with all appropriate dates included.
• Statement of Catholic educational leadership philosophy.
• List of five references with names, physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
No references will be contacted without your knowledge and approval.
Please include "Donahue Academy" in the subject line.

About the Employer

Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions is the retained search division of Partners in Mission, the nation's leading full-service consulting firm focused exclusively on developing excellence in Catholic school advancement and leadership. As partners among ourselves and with our clients' missions, we value, understand, and embrace the importance of Catholic education in our personal and professional lives - and remain committed to ensuring its strength and vitality for years to come. Engaged by religious and school communities, boards and dioceses, our team of dedicated search consultants have identified and secured mission-driven professionals to serve in a myriad of diverse Catholic school and diocesan leadership positions from Massachusetts to Hawaii.