Department: Resource Development

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Job Purpose:  Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director, Foundation Relations works to identify and generate funding from existing and new public, foundation, corporate and individual donors. In this role, the Director is responsible for contributing to the success of Independent Sector’s overall resource development program, including the development of overall strategy, prospect identification and planning, proposal development and writing, proposal follow-up and donor solicitation, and overall grants administration and donor relations.  A priority of the position is the effective written and oral presentation of Independent Sector’s mission, programmatic priorities and initiatives, and impacts, especially by means of proposals.  In addition, the Director will write concept papers, presentations, and reports, develop budgets to support grant proposals, and engage in ongoing donor outreach activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with the Chief Development Officer and other members of the Resource Development team and IS senior management to identify IS’s resource development needs and organizational priorities.
• Through research coordination, develop grant proposals, concept papers and other materials which align development prospects to IS’s needs and priorities.
• Work closely with all departments within IS including Public Policy, Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership and Practice, Membership, Communications, Strategic Initiatives and Conference to accurately represent the programmatic elements of the organization’s work in grant proposals.
• In conjunction with Finance, develop budgets to accompany the grant proposals.
• Develop presentations which inform, engage and influence key stakeholders, donors and donor prospects about IS and our work.
• Cultivate and foster effective relationships with current donors and new donor prospects, in particular by maintaining ongoing contact and effective working relationships with foundation and corporate foundation program officers.
• Collaborate with other staff to maximize potential of current and prospective donors as major gift prospects.
• Prepare briefing memos and other informational materials that aid in IS senior management donor engagement.
• Provide support for additional resource development writing projects as requested.
• Develop solicitation strategies that connect potential funders from prospect lists to IS priorities.
• Working closely with the Annual Conference team, develop and execute strategies designed to identify and increase Annual Conference sponsorships.
• Assist the Chief Development Officer in management and direction of the Resource Development staff.
• Special projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Advanced degree and 8 to 10 years of experience in a nonprofit, association, or similar organization; experience with fundraising/development required.
• Familiarity with foundations
• Demonstrated ability to research and grasp complex organizational policy and programmatic priorities and develop sophisticated and organized analysis and proposals
• Exceptional written communications skills and attention to detail. Ability to speak in the voice of the departments.
• Demonstrated experience using ingenuity or judgment to deal with complex issues
• Proven accuracy, resourcefulness, and member service orientation
• Willingness to take initiative to make improvements, enhance departmental efficiency, proactively solve problems, and deal with change
• Demonstrated organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects and move quickly from one to another while maintaining thorough records. Ability to be flexible and balance competing priorities
• Ability to draft correspondence, take and edit minutes, and proofread documents
• Thoroughness, timeliness and an ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Applications; familiarity with iMIS or similar membership management program; skill with other software applications a plus.
• The ability work harmoniously with others, give and receive feedback graciously and to have difficult conversations when needed to advance the work
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality in all situations

Independent Sector is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.