Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) equips Tennessee’s children with books and innovative literacy tools that encourage lifelong learning and success. GELF is an independent and non-partisan 501(c)3 serving all 95 counties in Tennessee. Its mission is to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee. GELF pursues its mission through key programs and initiatives: Birth-5 Book Delivery through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, K-3 Home Library, Caregiver Engagement, Book Buses, Storybook Trails, the Statewide early Literacy Education Collaborative of Tennessee (SELECT), Tenn Under 10, and more. GELF serves approximately 600,000 children; 185,000 caregivers; and 13,000 teachers each year. More information about GELF’s programs and impact can be found on its website: www.governorsfoundation.org.

Job Summary

Join our team at Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (GELF) in a new, key role within our development department. The Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager will report to the Director of Development and play a crucial part in growing and maintaining financial support for the advancement of the Foundation’s mission and programs. The ideal candidate will have a strong fundraising background, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a passion for the Foundation’s mission to strengthen early literacy in Tennessee.

Job Responsibilities

Fundraising and Development

• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of GELF’s mission, vision, values, culture, and programs to better support its success and clearly communicate its work
• Identify and research local/statewide/national corporate and foundation funding opportunities
• Manage a dynamic corporate/foundation fundraising calendar, anticipating needed information and meeting deadlines for applications, requirements, and reports
• Prepare, write, and submit corporate/foundation support proposals and grant applications, securing funding for programs, special projects, and events
• Manage timely funder recognition and corporate benefits
• Monitor grant-funded progress, compliance, and expenditures in collaboration with the Programs and Finance Departments
• Prepare, write, and submit corporate/foundation grant reports
• Foster and maintain authentic relationships with new and current corporate/foundation funders in partnership with the Director
• Craft compelling case for support statements and fundraising communication strategies in collaboration with the Director, Communications department, and President & CEO
• Schedule meetings and attend local/statewide events to form new funding opportunities
• Assist the Director with the development of the annual fundraising budget, fundraising administration processes, and periodic strategic planning
• Other duties as assigned

Event Planning and Support

• Assist the team with volunteer recruitment for special events, utilizing the opportunity to engage corporate supporter’s employees
• Support the planning and execution of fundraising/friends-raising events, in collaboration with the Director and Operations department
• Support statewide early literacy impact by leading and/or supporting fundraising education presentations/workshops for GELF’s program partners and affiliates statewide

Administration

• Enter and maintain up-to-date corporate/foundation gifts, data, records, and communications in Salesforce
• Prepare invoices and monitor grant payment receipts in collaboration with the Operations and Finance departments
• Update GELF’s profile on nonprofit reporting sites, including Giving Matters, Candid/GuideStar, Charity Navigator, etc.

Culture

• Engage in a dynamic, supportive culture that promotes personal and professional development by participating in quarterly professional reading, self-directed professional development and training, and ongoing team-building activities
• Maintain a commitment to GELF’s values of boldness, openness, optimism, knowledge, and stewardship (BOOKS)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of fundraising/development experience, with at least 2 years of grant writing experience
• Familiarity with fundraising best practices and ethics
• Marketing/communications/sales experience a plus
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Experience with databases/CRMs (Salesforce experience a plus)
• Exceptional attention to detail and organization abilities
• Strong people skills and emotional intelligence
• Driven, self-motivated, and goal-oriented
• Comfort working both autonomously and collaboratively
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong desire to learn

Travel: This position requires some travel across Tennessee, with some overnights expected. The candidate must have a current driver’s license.

Reports to: This position reports to the Director of Development.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no direct report responsibilities.

Hours & In Office Expectations:

The position is full-time and exempt, with a hybrid work schedule. This role will require a regular cadence of in-person time at the foundation’s Nashville offices, as well as participation in GELF events, off sites, and other occasions.

See more details and how to apply here: https://www.cnm.org/job/corporate-and-foundation-relations-manager/