Director of Grant Writing and Foundation Relations

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionGleaners Food Bank of Indiana is the state’s largest hunger relief organization and one of the leading food banks in the Feeding America Network. In additional to vital hunger relief programs in our 21-county service area, we also operate Fresh Connect Central, a regional produce cooperative for Feeding America, serve as a contract reclamation site for Kroger Central Division, and are a staging site for FEMA disaster response.

Benefits:

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Generous PTO, all federal holidays, volunteer days and birthdays
• On-site exercise facility
• Robust Wellness Program
• 403 Plan with Match
• Success Sharing Incentive Plan

Position Essential Functions and Responsibilities of Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations:

The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations is responsible for the creation and execution of a strategic plan to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts for maximum impact from corporations and foundations. The Director maintains a commanding knowledge of the food bank’s priorities to successfully execute funding proposals and engagement with corporate and foundation representatives. The Director creates and executes formal stewardship reports in order to sustain engagement annually and build meaningful relationships as a trusted community partner. The Director supervises the corporate and foundation relations staff, providing guidance on portfolio management and professional development. All responsibilities and duties will further Gleaners’ mission to be a leader in the fight against hunger.

• Secure principal gifts by managing a caseload of assigned donors and prospects assuring they are retained or acquired and upgraded in their giving and involvement. Engage in personal visits regularly to cultivate and solicit prospects and donors.
• Design and implement a stewardship program to assist with donor retention and upgrading.
• Build and implement new fundraising strategies with corporate and foundation leaders to create and sustain multi-year engagement, including corporate volunteer groups, special events, and in-kind donations.
• Develop an annual work plan and master calendar for corporate and foundations fundraising team, updating calendar to compile information needed from staff and adhere to deadlines (internally and externally).
• Gather information and list of funding priorities for each food bank department in coordination with staff responsible for implementing project, program, or operation, including special projects (e.g., capital).
• Develop and write proposals exhibiting strong expository writing skills and commanding knowledge of the food bank’s funding needs.
• Ensure reporting, compliance, and financial spending in accordance with funding guidelines.
• Supervise corporate and foundation personnel to develop annual fundraising goals and track progress made toward targeted funders in each of their portfolios.
• Collaborate with communications and marketing staff to develop and maintain supporting materials needed for proposals, reports, and appropriate recognition on social media and website.
• Record donor/potential donor contacts in the donor management system in a timely manner to reflect contact made/submissions/reports and other important outreach/contacts.
• Steward donor relationships with appropriate outreach (notes, phone calls, visits, tours, contact with CEO, etc.)
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the Master Grant Narrative and fiscal year budget templates.
• Research philanthropic and economic trends to develop knowledgeable fundraising goals for the department.
• Conduct ongoing prospect research to identify new corporate and foundation donors.

Personnel Management

• Supervise, hire, train, motivate, coach, manage performance, discipline, and evaluate direct reports.
• Enforce program, operational, and personnel policies/procedures.
• Promote and achieve a positive work environment.

Administration

• Contribute to the development and execution of the fundraising budget and goals.
• Plan, track, and report on individual and departmental work in support of organizational coordination.
• Participate actively in staff meetings, retreats, and Board meetings when requested.
• Contribute ideas and content for communications and marketing materials, especially as related to foundation support outlined in Director’s area of purview.
• Ensure quality communications follow all gifts received to provide thanks and documentation to donors.

Other Functions:

• Serves as a key spokesperson for the food bank when needed.
• Serves as an active member of the management team of the Food Bank.
• Appropriately participate in activities that benefit Gleaners Food Bank, as needed.
• Support all Food Bank fundraising efforts as directed.
• Promote a cooperative spirit within the organization and among internal and external participants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills/Qualifications of Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations:

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in related field.
• Five years or more experience in non-profit fundraising preferred.
• Understanding of gift solicitation and relationship management.
• Demonstrated ability of outstanding oral and written communications, including grant-writing/proposal development
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail

Other Relevant Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, written and presentation communications skills.
• Ability to professionally communicate with all audiences (volunteers, donors, corporate contacts, staff members, etc.).
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of volunteers, general public, media and staff; an attentive listener.
• Strong math skills with the ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
• Experience with coordination and preparation of project budgets.
• Continuous improvement methodology.
• Proficient at Microsoft Suite.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with donor database systems/CRM and online advocacy tools.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship development skills.
• Strong project manager with attention to details in planning and execution.
• Strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and effective decision-making abilities.
• Ability to think creatively with analytical abilities and identify and resolve problems effectively.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize a large number of tasks.
• Competency in planning and execution of projects and plans, balancing short-term tactical and long-term strategies.
• A commitment to full and visible participation as a hunger relief leader in the community.
• Ability to work well, build rapport and make persuasive case for support with diverse constituent groups, both internally and externally.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Certifications/Licenses of Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations:

• Valid driver's license/Clean driving record/Must be insurable by company vehicle insurance provider.

Work Environment & Physical Demands of Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations:

• Review on full job description
• *For full job description review PDF

Gleaners Food Bank is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and provides equal opportunities for employment and advancement for all individuals, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, pregnancy, leave status, genetic information, veteran status, creed, citizenship status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, or any other status or category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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