Principals have an essential role in school development that includes an institution's effort to reach its goals and objectives. The main responsibility for development lies in the principal's knowledge, team building, involvement, and volunteer gathering. Setting the stage for development means establishing quality as a comprehensive goal, promoting service awareness, and conducting student recruitment. Program support is built by increasing the knowledge of all involved, projecting program costs and benefits, obtaining endorsements, and preparing others for development. Effective program leadership is developed through carefully selected governing boards with clear responsibilities. Development plan implementation needs and goals can be communicated through school newsletters. Donation campaigns include mail, phone, and direct solicitation. Activities such as seeking grants, giving programs, and capital campaigns can expand school financial support. How to evaluate principals, development directors, and program effectiveness as well as how to renew the program are described. Appendices A through F provide resources for more information; a principal's development checklist; notes from an article on the annual giving campaign, including information about the solicitation letter; a phonathon form; and sample policies on gifts. (4 references) (EJS)