Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

Fisk University - Nashville, TN

Full-time - Mid Level

Nashville, TN

Educational Services

About the position

The Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Fisk University is responsible for building and maintaining strategic relationships with corporate and foundation partners to enhance funding opportunities for the university. This role involves leading efforts to cultivate, solicit, and steward these relationships, ensuring alignment with university goals and compliance with funding requirements. The position reports to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs and plays a crucial role in advancing institutional objectives through effective engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with corporate and foundation partners to identify funding opportunities aligned with university priorities.
• Collaborate with university leadership to create and implement a comprehensive corporate and foundation engagement strategy.
• Prepare and submit funding proposals and grants, ensuring alignment with university goals and compliance with funding requirements including recap reports and grant reporting.
• Manage donor relations through effective communication, reporting, and recognition programs to enhance engagement and support.
• Work closely with faculty, researchers, and administrative staff to identify funding needs and opportunities within various departments.
• Research and analyze trends in corporate and foundation giving to inform engagement strategies and identify potential partners.
• Schedule and conduct regular and strategically planned calls and face-to-face visits with corporate and foundation contacts to solicit major gifts.
• Prepare written proposals, concept and informational materials, presentations, and other materials needed to secure corporate and foundation investment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 4+ years of experience in corporate relations, fundraising, or development within the nonprofit space (preferably higher education)
• Proven track record of successfully securing funding from corporate and foundation sources
• Strong experience with grant writing and reporting
• Experience in project management and strategic planning
• Excellent relationship-building skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in networking and building partnerships within the corporate sector and philanthropic community
• Strong knowledge and understanding of database management

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working in Blackbaud products, particularly Raiser's Edge
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Complex problem-solving skills

Benefits

• Estimated salary range of $68.2K - $86.4K per year