FOUNDATION CENTER is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training we connect people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed. Our organization’s mission is to strengthen the social sector by advancing knowledge about philanthropy in the U.S. and around the world. Our vision is a world enriched by the effective allocation of philanthropic resources, informed public discourse about philanthropy, and broad understanding of the contributions of nonprofit activity to increasing opportunity and transforming lives.

POSITION:  Development Specialist

REPORTING TO:  VP for Development

LOCATION: NYC (downtown Manhattan)

POSITION SUMMARY

Foundation Center is looking for a Development Specialist to join its Development team.  The Development department is a 5-person team that designs and creates convincing cases for wide-ranging fundraising requests and strategic investment priorities vital to strengthening the social sector and critical to sustaining the work of Foundation Center.

In this role, the Development Specialist will work closely with the development team and partner with colleagues throughout the organization. They will be responsible for various aspects of Foundation Center’s annual national and regional fundraising initiatives, as well as securing financial support for special projects, initiatives and events. The specialist will strategize on the smooth and successful implementation of the development plan by creating engaging grants’ proposals and conducting strategic prospect research while also cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors in order to implement the growth and achievement of assigned fundraising objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Foundation, corporate and other fundraising: Assist in Foundation Center’s annual national campaign, the regional campaigns, and securing designated funding by:

• managing a portfolio of more than 100 grantmakers
• helping to implement strategies for seeking increased support from active sponsors, reinstated support from lapsed donors, and new support from prospects, including tracking and meeting deadlines for proposals and reports to donors;
• drafting and editing proposals, correspondence, supporting materials, and narrative reports, highlighting the Center’s Funding Information Network (FIN) partners, and or any programs/services that donors may find complementary to their own grantmaking objectives;
• merging and customizing request letters and proposal packets for particular donors and prospects;
• completing application forms, including requested financial information;
• conducting prospect research and helping to identify best approaches to cultivate donors;
• developing recognition opportunities for partners and sponsors;
• staying informed about organizational activities to actively update language repositories and impact data so department materials are current and comprehensive;
• contributing to planning and implementing a regional fundraising strategy targeting locally-focused funders and serving as a liaison with the FIN team and outreach staff to coordinate prospect outreach;
• contributing to the currency and accuracy of comprehensive donor records in the donor database (Raiser’s Edge);
• securing electronic and paper copies of regional proposals and correspondence for the donor files;
• tracking progress of solicitations to prospective new donors; working to implement growing and diverse development plan including public and private grants and web-based solicitations;
• following up on pending proposals;
• and providing up-to-date progress reports on fundraising objectives.

Sponsorships: Work with development and marketing team to implement cultivation events, solicitations and recognition of funders and sponsors for specific programs and initiatives.

Communication: Prepare communications for donors, prospects and at-large communities. Collaborate with marketing and communication team to draft materials and messages with the aim of donor cultivation and relationship building.

Recordkeeping: Work closely with the accounting team and development colleagues to maintain department’s donor database and budget files. Draft narrative reports and enclosures; draft and customize cover letters; track and assure compliance with reporting deadlines. Maintain accurate database records concerning proposals and reporting requirements and follow-up contacts, including tracking transfers of donor personnel from one organization/position to another.

Measurable objectives: Development Specialist will be responsible for approximately 100 renewal requests along with maintaining reporting requirements for all current assigned donors. In addition, the specialist will work with the development managers and the development team to submit requests to new prospects. The new prospects are currently identified to support basic, regional, and special projects funding.

Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• BA/BS degree.
• Minimum three to five years of related experience with demonstrated success.
• Successful candidate must have strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a focus on accuracy, excellence and attention to detail.
• Candidate must be a good team player, possessing flexibility, good follow-through, outstanding diplomatic and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-focused environment while working creatively and functioning as a member of a cooperative and coordinated team.
• Excellent written, presentation, interpersonal, and people influencing skills.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in MS Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of Salesforce and Raiser’s Edge fundraising software a plus.
• Knowledge of social media communication and solicitation is a plus.
• Candidate must be responsible and dependable and also able to perform with the highest level of integrity and ethics.