Director, Foundation Relations

Westminster University•Salt Lake City, UT

7h•$69,223 - $86,808•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Foundation Relations is a frontline fundraiser responsible for securing institutional grants from private and family foundations and may, at times, support and collaborate to secure government, agency, and corporate opportunities as well. The director plans and executes the full grant lifecycle for the existing foundation portfolio at Westminster University, collaborates with institutional leadership to align solicitations with university priorities, and handles the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of new national and regional foundation opportunities. Occasionally, the director will engage and solicit individuals as assigned in coordination with the prospect research office. The director develops strategy and planning milestones for foundations during Westminster’s current comprehensive fundraising campaign and other university or foundation-prioritized initiatives. This often involves a range of cultivation to proposal submission conversations that can impact lead gift generation and establish agreements related to secured funding. The director initiates and conducts personal visits with key foundation contacts as needed and accompanies university leadership and campus partners (faculty and staff) on foundation visits as necessary. Responsibilities also include the oversight and execution of all stages of proposal development with campus partners, grant writing, grant reporting, and foundation application processes. The director provides timely reporting to external and internal stakeholders and conducts routine financial tracking of grants and potential grants in Westminster’s Institutional Advancement CRM, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/NXT. The ability to manage a variety of significant university relationships within a moves management process, function independently, and balance multiple deadlines with competing priorities is essential. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail are a must. A genuine enjoyment of working with a diverse constituent base, including campus partners, alumni, donors, and friends, will ensure this position’s success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required
5 years + of progressively responsible experience in institutional advancement, foundation relations, grant writing, or other, related, nonprofit development
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to initiate communication with members of Westminster University’s community
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proven ability to work in a team environment
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Excellent multitasking and time management skills; ability to be self-motivated to make progress on projects and goals, and to be accountable
Professionalism, maturity, and an ability to maintain confidentiality

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree
2 years + of direct experience cultivating foundation prospects and securing funding from institutional or private foundations
Proven track record in successfully managing a portfolio of prospects and closing complex philanthropic gifts or grants at the six and seven figure level

Responsibilities

Oversee all stages of proposal development, including drafting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs), comprehensive grant proposals, and case statements, while ensuring they adhere to strict formatting and budget requirements.
Maintain a portfolio of active foundation prospects, which includes coordinating site visits and facilitating meetings between foundation officers and university leadership, board members, and campus partners.
Oversee post-award reporting and compliance, ensuring grant funds are used as directed. This includes updating foundation contacts on the impact of their gift commitments to encourage future funding.
Develop annual strategic plans to secure annual and major gifts from foundation opportunities. Continuously research and identify prospective funders whose missions align with Westminster’s priorities and programs.
Act as a liaison between Institutional Advancement (IA) and internal offices as necessary to ensure compelling proposal development and execution of grants & gift commitments, which may include an assigned liaison role as IA’s centralized point of contact to a campus Dean and School/College and their advisory board of volunteers for funding and engagement priorities.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new national and regional foundation opportunities; engage and solicit individuals, as assigned, in coordination with the prospect research office.
Develop foundation relationship strategies and planning milestones for Westminster’s comprehensive fundraising campaign and other prioritized initiatives to ensure a positive trajectory.
Responsibly document all work with prospects and funders into the constituent relationship management system (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/NXT) in a timely manner, in accordance with Institutional Advancement policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.