Cardo Academies is setting out to redefine youth development through an innovative fusion of interest-driven education and age-appropriate physical development and athletic training. Cardo will cultivate students to become creative thinkers, adaptable leaders, and lifelong learners who excel in school, sport, and life — while ensuring family-life balance and holistic support. Our interest-driven approach uses movement and athletics as a catalyst to deepen curiosity and foster a genuine love of learning, while consistently connecting academic concepts to real-world applications so students understand the why in what they learn.
Joining now as a founding member of the board of directors of Cardo gives you an opportunity to participate in the creation of a campus where students can excel in academics and athletics (initially soccer specific). If you are passionate about education and soccer, please consider joining our board.
Board Member – Fundraising and Philanthropy
Position Overview
We are currently building Cardo's founding Board of Directors and are seeking an experienced professional in nonprofit development, major gifts, capital campaigns, foundations, corporate philanthropy or related philanthropic work to serve on its Board of Directors and provide strategic guidance as the organization develops and grows its educational and athletic programs.
This board member will help Cardo develop its fundraising strategy, identify and cultivate prospective supporters, make introductions within Portland's philanthropic community, solicit donations, and help build the foundation for a strong long-term development program. We are particularly interested in current or retired professionals who have strong connections within Portland's philanthropic, business or nonprofit communities and are excited about helping build a new educational institution from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and help Cardo develop its fundraising and philanthropic program and advise on major-gift cultivation, donor engagement, capital fundraising and development best practices.
- Help identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors, philanthropic partners and community supporters.
- Assist the board and Executive Director in hiring a philanthropic director for the schools and advising and mentoring staff.
- Serve as an ambassador for Cardo and help communicate its mission and long-term vision to external stakeholders.
- Help the Board evaluate opportunities and risks as Cardo develops from a startup organization into an established educational institution.
- Fulfill the fiduciary and governance responsibilities expected of all members of the Board of Directors.
Cardo is particularly interested in candidates with substantial senior-level experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Major gifts and individual giving
- Capital campaigns
- Corporate, foundation or institutional philanthropy
- Nonprofit development leadership
- Donor or wealth/philanthropic advisory services, and
- Is willing to be an active participant in building the organization during its formative years.
- Is excited about helping build a new educational institution from the ground up.
- Is excited about helping build an educational institution for scholar athletes.
As a start-up entity with a new approach to education and athletics in education, the initial time commitment required will vary as the project evolves. As fundraising is an important first step in making Cardo Academies a reality, we anticipate an initial period of several hours a week for the first six to eight months, then tapering off. After opening of the school, projected for September 2027, it is anticipated that your time commitment will be reduced to monthly board meetings and ad hoc projects.
This is a governance and strategic leadership volunteer board position rather than a staff fundraising role. If you feel your qualifications would significantly contribute to our work, we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us with your questions or inquiries at suzanne@cardoeducationpartners.com