Vice President of Advancement

THE OPPORTUNITY

Bergen Catholic is seeking an energetic and entrepreneurial fundraiser to join the leadership team at Bergen Catholic, a pre-eminent all-boys Catholic school in Oradell, NJ. This is an exciting opportunity to build on the strength of the school’s alumni network and position as one of the leading boys Catholic schools in the Northeast.

 

The Vice President for Advancement will inspire and lead a diverse and effective fundraising operation that includes major gifts, planned giving, and a broader annual appeal, as well as plan for a future capital campaign.

 

In the spring of 2019, Bergen Catholic engaged a consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive review of its advancement operations. The report offers a range of observations and ideas that will be useful to the new Vice President, among them the need to professionalize the School’s advancement operation. The new Vice President of Advancement will be charged with creating a five-year roadmap for the evolution of Bergen Catholic’s fundraising office, implementing more efficient and effective systems, and moving beyond its historical reliance on event-based fundraising.

 

The Vice President will be well positioned to have an immediate impact at the operational and strategic levels. Working closely with the President and the Board, the Vice President of Advancement will play a key role in representing the school’s overall vision and strategic direction.

 

ABOUT BERGEN CATHOLIC

Founded in 1955, Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey, delivers a traditional, values-centered Catholic education in a 21st century learning environment that prepares young men in grades 9–12 for lives of leadership, devotion, and service. Bergen Catholic educates the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – by deepening religious faith, developing academic excellence, and strengthening social consciousness and responsibility.

 

Since its founding more than 60 years ago, Bergen Catholic has been an educational ministry of the Congregation of Christian Brothers. In keeping with the charism of founder Blessed Edmund Rice, students are taught to hold the religious, academic, and social dimensions of life in balance, to develop a respect for their gifts and those of others, to understand differences in ideas among people, to use freedom in a responsible way, and to contribute to the creation of an environment in which all members of the community are welcomed and embraced.

 

Bergen Catholic serves an economically and ethnically diverse group of approximately 750 young men drawn from Bergen County and the greater New York City metropolitan area. Virtually all graduates go on to college, and students from the Class of 2022 earned multiple acceptances to many outstanding institutions, including Boston College, Cornell University, Georgetown University, New York University, Princeton University, and the University of Notre Dame. Eightyone percent of graduates were offered aid for post-secondary study, including $31.5 million in merit-based scholarships.

 

Bergen Catholic offers its students a broad-based experience that includes rigorous academics, technology integration, exposure to the arts, and integral Catholic formation. The school’s commitment to excellence extends to its 17-sport interscholastic athletics program. Bergen Catholic is a local powerhouse that has captured more than 560 county and state championships in multiple sports and earned national rankings in football, wrestling, and lacrosse.

 

Bergen Catholic’s next Vice President of Advancement will join the school during an exciting time in its proud history. Dr. Brian Mahoney, who began his tenure as President of Bergen Catholic in 2018, has brought renewed focus and energy to the school. United around a clear strategic plan and eyeing a major capital campaign in the coming years (its first since 2007), Bergen Catholic is poised to enter an exciting new era of excellence. For a dynamic, mission-inspired fundraiser with the requisite skills, this is an exceptional opportunity to serve an institution with a rich history and great potential.

 

MISSION

Bergen Catholic High School is a diverse Catholic community which prepares young men to become dynamic global leaders by deepening religious faith, developing academic excellence, and strengthening social consciousness and responsibility in accordance with the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education.

 

BELIEFS

To deepen religious faith: We proclaim the Gospel of Jesus through the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church. We follow the tradition of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice and the Congregation of Christian Brothers in solidarity with those marginalized by poverty and injustice. We develop values, attitudes, and behavior patterns consistent with Christian discipleship. We provide opportunities to communicate with God through prayer, both personal and communal. We teach tolerance of all religious and spiritual traditions.

 

To develop academic excellence: We are a college preparatory high school for young men. We develop mathematical, scientific, & logical skills, critical thinking, aesthetic appreciation, and technological skills. We educate for a deeper understanding of humanity through the various academic disciplines.

 

To strengthen social consciousness and responsibility: We celebrate the value and dignity of each person and nurture the development of the whole person. We respect the diversity of the human family and seek to reflect local diversity within our educational community. We foster a structured learning environment in which we develop self-discipline and increased responsibility for personal and social growth. We integrate co-curricular, service, cultural, academic, social, athletic, and other programs that represent a complete education.

 

HISTORY

Since its founding in 1955 by Brother Eugene D. McKenna, Bergen Catholic has followed what he said to every class on the first day of school: You enter as boys; you will leave as men. The school opened on September 11, 1955, with an enrollment of 114 freshmen. Classes were held at Our Lady of Visitation School in Paramus while construction was being completed on the school building, situated on 12 acres in the suburban community of Oradell. An addition was built in the early 1960s, and a new and larger library was added in 1984. In 1989, a special weight training facility was erected. In recent years, the following spaces have been constructed: STEM lab, learning center, music room, art room, television studio, four general classrooms, a health office suite, and three administrative offices. The school building also houses a student chapel, science and robotics labs, a cafeteria, and a gymnasium. An athletic field and parking area are included on the property.

 

The school was an immediate success, meeting pent-up demand for high-quality Catholic education in the heart of the Baby Boom Generation. For more than 60 years, Bergen Catholic has remained true to its founding vision while adapting to meet changing needs and circumstances.

 

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF AN EDMUND RICE CHRISTIAN BROTHER EDUCATION Born in 1762, Blessed Edmund Rice was a successful Irish businessman, widower, and father who devoted his fortune and his life to providing a Catholic education to poor boys as the founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools of Ireland, a movement that eventually spread worldwide with the establishment of more than 250 schools and colleges. In 1996, Blessed Edmund Rice was beatified in Rome by Pope John Paul II.

 

The Edmund Rice School Network is a consortium of Catholic schools (including Bergen Catholic and 14 additional U.S. schools as well as schools in Argentina, Canada, Uruguay, and Peru) that educate in the spirit and tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. The schools educate children, young men, and young women in grades K–12. Each school community strives to embody the values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education, which call upon Christian Brother schools to:

• Evangelize youth within the mission of the Church.
• Proclaim and witness to Catholic identity.
• Stand in solidarity with those marginalized by poverty and injustice. • Foster and invigorate a community of faith.
• Celebrate the value and dignity of each person and nurture the development of the whole person.
• Collaborate and share responsibility for the mission.
• Pursue excellence in all endeavors.

 

THE SCHOOL CULTURE

Asked to describe the unique strengths of Bergen Catholic, members of the school family routinely cite “the brotherhood,” the deep spirit of community that defines day-to-day relationships and binds graduates together across the generations. It is not uncommon for sons of Bergen Catholic graduates to make up 10% of a given class.

 

The spirit of brotherhood is also significantly embodied in the alumni body (of 12,000+), an accomplished group, approximately half of whom still live in the metropolitan New York City area. The school’s graduates pride themselves on their continued loyalty to the school and to one another.

 

For current students, the spirit of brotherhood expresses itself in close-knit relationships, spirited competition in academics and athletics, and exuberant support for the school’s teams as exemplified by the student cheering section known as the Crusader Crazies.

 

While there is plenty of opportunity for fun at Bergen Catholic, the life of the school is guided by a seriousness of purpose. The dedicated faculty and staff offer challenge and support in equal measure, encouraging students to strive for excellence in every endeavor. For many students, the desire to maximize their potential includes the development of a strong intellectual and spiritual foundation to guide the expression of their faith.

 

Bergen Catholic aspires to be the school of choice for students and parents seeking a traditional, value-centered, Catholic education in a 21st century learning environment that uses technology to prepare students to lead in life and in service to others. With a commitment to the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of student life, Bergen Catholic strengthens each student’s faith and social consciousness through the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education.

 

ACADEMICS

The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, including 18 AP classes, and honors courses in all subjects. Students can pursue additional AP and specialized classes online through the Virtual High School Collaborative, and select courses can earn students college credit through Seton Hall’s Project Acceleration. Bergen Catholic offers four languages (Italian, Latin, Spanish, and Mandarin), and students can study abroad in Argentina, China, or Peru. The school’s Learning Center supports all students, including those with mild learning differences, and a 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures every student receives personalized attention from Bergen Catholic’s dedicated faculty and staff.

 

FLAGSHIPS OF ACHIEVEMENT

To prepare its alumni to compete and lead in an increasingly networked world, Bergen Catholic has identified three areas of focus for its students:

TECHNOLOGY – Bergen Catholic integrates technology into its classrooms and uses it to connect students to the far corners of the world. The school has a one-to-one laptop program that expands learning options for students and allows faculty to act as coaches, guiding students toward a path of lifelong learning and global citizenship.

LEADERSHIP – In accordance with its mission to develop leaders, Bergen Catholic has incubated a student-developed and student-run leadership formation program known as S.H.I.E.L.D. – Students Helping Inspire Everyone’s Leadership Development.

INTERNATIONALISM – Bergen Catholic has made service to others a priority, offering students a variety of opportunities to develop a global perspective on what it means to be human and the many forms that service to others can take.

 

RELIGIOUS FORMATION & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

In an effort to make the religious faith of each student alive, conscious, and active, the ministry program fosters personal and spiritual growth. Bergen Catholic’s Religious Studies department offers a 4-year sequence based upon the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Curricular Framework. The school’s Chaplain oversees a full program of school and class, masses, penance services, individual reconciliation, Advent and Lenten services, and retreat programs. Peer ministry is an intrinsic part of the ministry program.

 

ARTS, ATHLETICS, AND OTHER CO-CURRICULARS

Bergen Catholic students perform in award-winning vocal and jazz ensembles, an orchestra, and multiple stage productions each year. The school’s visual arts offerings include AP Studio Art, computer graphics, graphic design, and art history.

 

Bergen Catholic has long been celebrated for its highly competitive athletic programs, including 17 interscholastic varsity sports: cross country, football, and soccer in the fall; basketball, bowling, hockey, indoor track, skiing, swimming, and wrestling in the winter; and baseball, crew, golf, lacrosse, outdoor track, tennis, and volleyball in the spring. The school competes in the NJSIAA as a member of the Big North Conference and has claimed more than 560 championships since 1955.

 

Bergen Catholic’s rich co-curricular menu includes pre-professional, service, and leadership opportunities such as Crusaders for Christian Action, Future Business Leaders, Habitat for Humanity, Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Mock Trial, and several popular academic teams.

 

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT

The Vice President of Advancement is responsible for overseeing, leading, and actively participating in fundraising at Bergen Catholic. The primary areas of responsibility include comprehensive campaigns, major gifts, the annual appeal, and annual events (including the annual Gala and Golf Classic). The Vice President supervises a team that includes the Director of the Annual Fund, a database manager, and event staff. The Vice President reports directly to the President of Bergen Catholic and the Chair of the Board’s Advancement Committee. The Vice President of Advancement plays a central role in advancing the mission of Bergen Catholic by raising money and creating and promoting the vision and messages of the school.

 

THE CORE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVANCEMENT INCLUDE:

• Identifying and cultivating relationships with potential, current, and past donors, partnering with the President, trustees, and other school leaders when appropriate.
• Creating and executing plans for leading all aspects of fundraising with all Bergen Catholic constituents.
• Making “asks,” stewarding gifts, and managing contacts and communications with current parents, alumni, and friends through email, phone conversations, and in-person meetings.
• Reporting to the President, the Advancement Committee, and the Board of Trustees regarding the progress and challenges seen by the Advancement Office. • Collaborating with volunteer leaders to plan and execute events, and to ensure the overall effectiveness of the school’s alumni network.
• Working closely with the marketing and communications team to create and share all fundraising messages and collateral.
• Coordinating events for alumni and current families that include, but are not limited to, homecoming, reunions, Crusader on the Road events, stewardship dinners, and donor receptions.
• Helping to organize and promote the school’s Hall of Fame.
• Sharing information and ideas with the admissions office to help Bergen Catholic engage, attract, and retain qualified students.
• Attending Board meetings when requested and approved by the President.
• Growing the school’s donor database, ensuring the accuracy of all data, and providing reports to colleagues as needed.
• Leading the Advancement team – setting individual and collective goals, providing feedback, investing in professional development, and establishing clear performance expectations.

 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

Bergen Catholic seeks a lead fundraiser who is – first and foremost – committed to the mission and vision of the school, especially the legacy of the Blessed Edmund Rice and the Essential Elements of a Christian Brothers education. The ideal candidate will be a positive presence in the Bergen Catholic community. The position requires a creative, flexible, collaborative leader who embraces innovation, shares information and ideas, and is always willing to go the extra mile for their colleagues and the school. As one of the chief ambassadors for Bergen Catholic, the successful candidate will need to be outgoing, inspirational, and energetic.

• A bachelor’s degree or higher
• Five years of fundraising experience in a non-profit or educational institution
• Proven success managing a prospect portfolio and cultivating and soliciting gifts of $25,000+
• Demonstrated success supervising team members and empowering employees to share responsibilities and outcomes
• Capital campaign experience a plus
• A strong personal and/or philosophical connection with Bergen Catholic High School
• Superb communication skills, both written and oral
• Confident yet humble
• Empathetic, a good listener
• Committed to the service of others
• Able to build meaningful, lasting relationships with constituents from all backgrounds
• Hardworking, resilient, and entrepreneurial
• Reliable, timely, and discreet
• Comfortable collecting and using data to inform key decisions

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To ensure full consideration, candidates should submit, as soon as possible and no later than March 30, 2023, a current résumé and a cover letter indicating why they are interested in and qualified for the position to The Angeletti Group at search@theangelettigroup.com.

 

Applicants should be prepared to provide references upon request.

 

Nominations and confidential inquiries can be made to:

Kate Hughes

The Angeletti Group

(973) 540-1400

search@theangelettigroup.com

 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may be considered after the March 30 deadline depending on the status of the search.

 

Selected semifinalist candidates will interview confidentially with the President and a search committee. Finalist candidates will be invited to campus for a comprehensive visit, including conversations with senior administrators, trustees and members of the advancement team.

 

Bergen Catholic is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks to diversify its work force. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex, marital status, handicap, or pregnancy status.