Job Information
Case Western Reserve University Assistant Director of Foundation Relations in Cleveland, Ohio
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The assistant director of foundation relations has responsibility for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of a targeted group of local and national foundations, including professional, family, and corporate foundations. Special emphasis is placed on major grants of $25,000-$100,000. The assistant director must have a demonstrated ability to develop partnerships on multidisciplinary projects to close grants from his/her portfolio of foundations. The incumbent is responsible as the campus 'expert' on his/her portfolio of foundations and acts as a central point for access to and matching of foundation capabilities and interests with the programs and priorities of the university. As a member of the Foundation and Corporate Relations department, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially and in partnership with colleagues across the team and the entire campus. The assistant director will work closely with faculty and staff members to cultivate, solicit, and steward grants from professional, family, and corporate foundations.
Working in partnership with central and school-based development and research administration colleagues, the assistant director will partner with the senior director of foundation relations in the planning and implementation of university-wide strategic initiatives with a focus on opportunities for transformational giving to support the research and education mission of Case Western Reserve University. This position will require approximately 80% of time spent on direct contact cultivation, solicitation, and overall relationship management.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Develop and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for professional, family, and corporate foundation prospects. Cultivate and maintain a portfolio of foundation prospects for philanthropic pursuit across the university for the purpose of increasing private philanthropic support for university priority initiatives (35%).
- Identify, develop, and write professional, family, and corporate foundation proposals. Collaborate with faculty and academic administrators in proposal-related program and budget development and serve as a resource to them in the planning and implementation of foundation requests. (35%)
- Work closely with alumni, volunteers, (including trustees), senior administrators, deans, and faculty members to most effectively cultivate, solicit and steward prospects for assigned proposals and initiatives. Identify possible conflicts in university-wide requests of targeted foundations and act to resolve such conflicts. (15%)
Support school-based and university-wide development programs and strategic initiatives. Execute the university's strategy to build strong relationships with philanthropic partners. Develop strategies that leverage foundation partnerships with on-campus activities. Work to increase outreach to and raise the university's profile with foundation prospects and to maintain contact with donors in those sectors. (15%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Frequent contact with the senior vice president, senior/associate vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, executive directors and directors of departments. Contact with staff as required to perform essential functions.
University: Contact with the President's Office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.
External: Daily contact with foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, federal, state and local gov