POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director of Foundation Relations
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1781
GRADE 44
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Executive Director of Development
GENERAL FUNCTION
The primary duties of the Director of Foundation Relations are to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate and private foundations as well as occasionally solicit individual donors, corporations, and businesses. The Director of Foundation Relations develops strategies and directs the fundraising initiatives directed toward corporate and private foundations. The Director of Foundation Relations initiates and conducts personal visits with key foundation contacts as assigned and accompanies the University President, the Vice President for University Advancement, the Executive Director of Development, Deans and/or faculty members on foundations visits as applicable. The Director of Foundation Relations develops proposals and grant applications to foundations that meet donor guidelines and specifications as well as University fundraising priorities. The Director of Foundation Relations provides timely reports and financial tracking of grants from foundations that have made philanthropic gifts to the University.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required.
Experience: At least three years of successful professional experience is required, preferably in higher education fund-raising or in a related career with a comparable, demonstrated, successful track record. Experience in grant administration and grant writing or other similar professional writing is preferred.
Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills with all age groups are required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Organizational skills, particularly planning, setting deadlines, and evaluating progress, are required. Computer literacy, particularly in word processing, using internet resources, and using databases, is required. Must be a self-starter committed to follow through. The ability to work under pressure, meet inflexible deadlines, establish and manage multiple priorities, and establish and achieve fundraising goals is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Experience working effectively in a diverse environment is preferred.
Effort: Occasionally required to lift and carry boxes of materials and equipment weighing 25-50 pounds.
Other: The scope of the job requires travel as well as attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars, and workshops and visits to donors in their homes and offices. A valid Missouri driver’s license is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assures long-term financial support for University priorities by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting corporate and private foundation donors, designs, implements, and manages a comprehensive and proactive development plan focused on expanding and enhancing corporate and foundation relationships by directing and coordinating activities related to obtaining corporate and foundation monetary support.
2. Identifies emerging business leadership and industry trends with a special emphasis on developing high value-exchange corporate alliances and identifies, cultivates, and solicits large philanthropic commitments to support the mission and goals of the University.
3. When assigned by the Executive Director of Development, serves as the Development liaison to an assigned college by acting as a resource for the Dean and Department Heads, consulting on questions related to development activities in the College, conducting scheduled meetings with the Dean to understand the fundraising priorities of the College, communicating those priorities to University Advancement staff, prospects, and donors, participating in select College meetings, serving as a source of information about the College for other University Advancement staff, and encouraging the College to establish programs and conduct activities to involve alumni in meaningful ways to advance the mission of the College.
4. Develops and follows an annual work plan that encompasses major gift fund-raising, administrative responsibilities, and professional development.
5. Manages the comprehensive corporate and foundation grant process for the Missouri State University Foundation, monitors proposal deadlines, prepares and edits grant proposals, manages the proposal submission process, and provides timely grant reporting to foundations and corporations as may be required.
6. Conducts and assesses various types of research to develop information for reports about viable corporate or private foundation funding prospects.
7. Develops highly competitive proposals for corporate and foundation prospects that leverage diverse corporate and foundation goals and preferences with related University goals and priorities and maintains and uses a current knowledge of the various foundation interests to actively seek to match them with University fundraising goals, needs, and priorities.
8. When appropriate, hosts campus visits by foundation representatives and participates in and/or arranges visits to foundations by members of the campus leadership team.
9. Prepares for professional and donor appointments by establishing and maintaining professional competency and currency in the field of university development work through professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, attending training and/or courses required by the Executive Director of Development, and maintaining appropriate professional memberships in organizations like the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
10. Enters detailed contact reports, strategic plans and proposals for donors and prospects into the contact management tracking system in a timely manner in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Office of Development.
11. Assures donor confidentiality as well as confidentiality regarding projects undertaken by conducting all personal contacts and communications in a professional manner.
12. Facilitates the achievement of established goals by developing and maintaining cordial and professional working relationships with University administrative, support, and professional staff and appropriate off-campus constituencies.
13. Participates as a fully productive member of the professional staff by adhering to all University policies and procedures and the internal policies and procedures of the Office of Development.
14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Executive Director of Development.
16. Contributes to the overall success of the University by assuming primary responsibility for special projects as assigned and performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned in a timely, thorough, and professional manner.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Foundation Relations is supervised by the Executive Director of Development and may provide supervision or direction to clerical staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2021
