Director of Grants and Foundation Relations

Director of Grants and Foundation Relations 

The Director of Grants and Foundation Relations is responsible for planning, implementing and coordinating a comprehensive grant program for Independence Mission Schools (IMS). This includes partnering with IMS staff to develop programs and projects that align with and advance organizational strategic priorities as well as identifying, cultivating, and soliciting support from corporations, affiliated corporate foundations, private and public foundations, businesses, and other organizations. A strategic mindset and strong technical writing skills are vital to this role. Developing good relationships with partners who can leverage the corporate partnerships will be essential. The Director will create, write, and submit proposals and stewardship reports; work to increase the amount of corporate and foundation support, and grow the income visibility of IMS. The Director will systematically expand the pipeline of corporate and foundation support in cooperation with the other advancement staff and data analytics. This position reports to the Chief Advancement Officer and manages grants for the Central Office and 14 schools.

Specific Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive grant program that aligns with and advances strategic priorities. 
• Partner with IMS staff to build out programs and projects attractive to prospective philanthropic partners and aligned with IMS’s strategic plan and mission. 
• Meet goals and objectives that include raising the budgeted grant revenue goal. 
• Solicit a minimum of 50 institutional donors annually with formal grant requests. Target 25% new prospects each year. Develop a portfolio of qualified prospects, submission dates and deadlines. 
• Write, coordinate, and implement corporate and foundation grant proposals, reports, and delivery of donor benefits and recognition. Prepare materials and presentations, case statements, and solicitations to corporations and foundations, members of the board, organizations, and donors and prospects to obtain financial support.
• Arrange for face-to-face meetings on site with the corporate and foundation contacts, involving the CEO, CAO, other executive staff, or Board members.  
• Coordinate donor visits and tours of IMS as part of an on-going stewardship plan to further cultivate relationships with donors affiliated with institutional philanthropy.
• Work with others to obtain information necessary for proposals including budget information. Produce interim and final grant reports to funders. Maintain a schedule of submissions for grants and reports that will guide the work of this area. Develop and monitor an agreed upon metrics plan. 
• Maintain electronic and hard copy files of important correspondence and records for grant tracking and report generation, including updating and tracking of database records in Donor Perfect.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit corporations and foundations to make major investments in support of IMS by matching the strategic initiatives, business plan and fundraising priorities with prospective donors’/grantmakers’ interests.
• Assist in writing newsletter copy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Appreciation and passion for the mission and vision of Independence Mission Schools.
• Minimum of five to seven years of experience in a development/advancement office with proven experience in writing grant proposals and reports, as well as identifying, cultivating and soliciting support from corporations and foundations, business partners and other organizations. 
• Ability to think strategically and map out programs and/or projects linking them to the strategic plan and mission required. 
• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Experience with government grants preferred.  
• Proven experience discovering prospective donors/grant makers, developing and submitting proposals to increase the amount of corporate and foundation support. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and energetic personality with demonstrated ability to build, foster and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external constituencies including administrators, teachers, trustees, alumni, donors and prospects. 
• Superior writing (to include technical writing) and communication skills with the ability to articulate the mission, vision and philanthropic priorities of IMS and with clarity and passion to a wide audience of stakeholders that includes donors, business leaders, and community partners. 
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and to prioritize responsibilities. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suites.
• Previous experience and proficiency working in fundraising software.
• Must be willing to work nights and weekends at times.
• Must be willing and able to travel at times; valid driver’s license and access to a car are required.
• Successful candidates must be able to clear all required background checks.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. 

Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000

EOE: IMS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrates staff diversity. We strive to be and build a diverse team that is representative of our students and the communities in which we serve. If you identify as an individual of color, we highly encourage you to apply! 

Want to learn more about IMS and our school locations? Please visit: https://independencemissionschools.org/schools/

Salary : $90,000 - $100,000