Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Saint Martin’s University plays a key role in supporting the University's strategic fundraising initiatives by managing the grant-seeking process. This position focuses on researching, writing, and submitting compelling proposals to secure funding from corporate and foundation partners. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Assistant Director will also assist in stewarding relationships and coordinating grant reporting and tracking activities. This role involves collaboration with faculty, staff, and the Institutional Advancement team to align proposals with the University’s mission and priorities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Grant Writing and Proposal Development

• Research, draft, and submit high-quality grant proposals to corporate and foundation partners, aligning requests with the University's funding priorities and initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty, program staff, and other stakeholders to gather information, develop narratives, and prepare supporting materials for grant applications.
• Review and edit proposals to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to funder guidelines and expectations.

Grant Tracking and Reporting

• Maintain a grant calendar, tracking proposal deadlines, reporting requirements, and key deliverables to ensure timely submissions.
• Prepare and submit reports to corporate and foundation partners, demonstrating the impact of funding on University programs and initiatives.
• Track and document all proposals, awards, and stewardship activities in the donor database, Slate, ensuring comprehensive records of corporate and foundation engagement.

Research and Identification of Funding Opportunities

• Conduct research on prospective corporate and foundation partners, identifying potential funding sources that align with the University’s mission and strategic goals.
• Analyze funding trends and identify new grant opportunities, preparing research briefs to inform the Director and other stakeholders of relevant prospects.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with faculty and program staff to understand funding needs and develop proposals that reflect the University’s priorities and initiatives.
• Coordinate with other members of the Institutional Advancement team to align corporate and foundation relations efforts with overall fundraising strategies.
• Assist in stewarding relationships with funders through regular communications, impact reports, and updates as requested by the Director.

Administrative and Data Management

• Ensure accurate and comprehensive data entry and maintenance of corporate and foundation information in the donor database.
• Generate regular reports on proposal activity, grant awards, and funding received to support departmental reporting and planning.
• Assist the Director in preparing presentations, donor correspondence, and briefing materials as needed.

Competencies

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent written communication skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to craft persuasive narratives.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of the Catholic Benedictine educational mission, vision and values as well as the strategic priorities for Saint Martin’s University.
• Knowledge of best practices in proposal development and donor stewardship.
• Familiarity with corporate and foundation funding trends, with experience identifying and cultivating new grant opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent knowledge/skills/training.
• At least two years of experience in grant writing, proposal development, and/or a related fundraising role, with a proven track record of successful funding proposals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Successfully pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or a nonprofit setting, ideally in a corporate and foundation relations or grant writing capacity.
• Proficiency in donor research tools, such as Foundation Directory Online, and experience with grant tracking and reporting processes.
• Experience in using a CRM donor database.