Director, Foundation Relations

Tarleton State University•Stephenville, TX

2d•$53,745 - $76,321•Onsite

About The Position

Tarleton State University, a distinguished Doctoral National Comprehensive University, invites applications for the position of Director, Foundation Relations in the Division of Institution Advancement . As part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and service, this role offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a university that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusive growth. Join us in advancing knowledge and transforming lives—on campus and beyond. Tarleton State University continues to grow its impact across Texas, with four distinct campuses located in Stephenville, Fort Worth, RELLIS-Bryan and Waco , along with a robust online community that extends our reach even further. At the heart of it all is Stephenville , where Tarleton State offers a dynamic environment for faculty and staff. From a lively live music scene and numerous local festivals to rich traditions rooted in the surrounding community, Stephenville provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. No matter where you're located—on campus or online—you are part of a mission that transforms lives and makes a difference across the state of Texas and beyond The Director of Foundation Relations for University Advancement and the Tarleton State University Foundation will oversee a foundation fundraising program centered on regional and national private and corporate foundations. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development with direction from the Vice President of Advancement and collaboration with the President of the Tarleton State University Foundation and the Tarleton State Foundation staff, the Director of Foundation Relations will be a critical contributor to the growth and development of a best practice, leading-edge fundraising and grants program for Tarleton State. The successful candidate will leverage Tarleton State’s service-based mission and record of providing access to first generation students throughout the State of Texas to initiate and sustain outreach with key funders. Emphasis will be placed on alignment with Tarleton State’s unique strengths and its position as a catalyst for economic development, quality of life, and positive community engagement across the North-Central Texas region. The successful candidate will embrace prospect research as a fundamental success factor and will assume the role of lead prospect researcher for private and corporate foundations for Tarleton State University, with support from the Associate Vice President of Development. The Director will utilize the Division of Advancement’s database to understand the university’s recent history with foundation funders and will leverage technology to identify new sources of support. Building and maintaining a contemporary, highly organized catalog of funding opportunities will support strategic, tactical, and efficient engagement with funders and prospects. Position is in-office, located in Stephenville, Texas with work hours of Monday to Friday; from 8am to 5pm or as work requirements indicate. Serves as Campus Security Authority (CSA).

Requirements

Five (5) years of similar or transferable professional successful experience in foundation relations, grant-writing or a related field.
The successful candidate will be expected to assume a leadership role with prospect research and effectively utilize research tools to identify and prioritize potential sources of support.
The successful candidate is expected to be a self-starter, capable of working at a high level independently (as proposal writing is to a significant extent an independent exercise).
The successful candidate will exhibit, exceptional, writing, and communication skills, and will also have experience with prospect research at a four-year university.
The successful candidate will embrace the Division of Advancement’s performance management model and embrace defined metrics as assigned by the Associate VP for Development and approved by the VP for Advancement.
The successful candidate will be able to create reports that clearly show progress against clearly defined goals and metrics.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Excellent organizational skills.
The ability to be customer service-oriented and bring together various institutional partners with varying interests is essential.
A superior attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Similar or transferable professional experience, including: Demonstrated written and oral communication skills; Exceptional professional interpersonal and team-building skills including collaboration with others to establish and maintain good working relationships; Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of fundraising.
Master’s degree preferred
Deep knowledge of prospect cultivation, solicitation, and recognition strategies.
Knowledge of federal and state government grant-making ecosystems.
Proficient with Blackbaud - Raiser’s Edge or a similar CRM / fundraising database system.
Knowledge of technology to include new and emerging technology relevant to grant writing, to include artificial intelligence (AI).

Responsibilities

Team with university development colleagues, Tarleton State University Foundation leadership, and TSU Foundation staff to build, sustain, and expand a best practice grants program that delivers revenue aligned with strategic university initiatives.
Execute an internal review of Tarleton State University and the university’s distinct strengths to identify opportunities that align with private foundation or corporate foundation funding.
Learn what makes Tarleton State unique. Understand the university’s role relative to: Access to life-changing education. Research aligned with community growth, economic impact, quality of life for North Central Texas. Identify Tarleton State’s programs of excellence / traits and attributes that differentiate Tarleton State from peers.
Lead / execute targeted prospect research to build a private and corporate foundation funding roadmap / catalog of private foundation funding opportunities for Tarleton State prioritized by alignment, geography, funding history, and capacity for impact.
Utilize the Division of Advancement’s database to identify Tarleton State’s current or recent private foundation donors to: Execute required stewardship and fulfillment. Deliver best-practice relationship management. Determine if immediate solicitation opportunities exist.
Employ available research tools and technology to prioritize funding opportunities by verifying distinct alignment, analyzing funding history, and confirming capacity for impact. Identify opportunities to enhance success through engagement and volunteer leadership.
Utilize emerging technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to strengthen requests for support and expedite both the prospect research and grant writing processes.
Lead outreach shaped by strategic, targeted research to develop, deliver, and close gifts/grants from private foundations (and corporate foundations) to meet clearly defined solicitation and fundraising metrics assigned by the Associate Vice President for Development and approved by the Vice President for Advancement.
Leverage the Tarleton State University Foundation’s 501c3 status to expand private foundation fundraising opportunities, grow private foundation support, and deliver core operational revenue to the TSU Foundation.
Coordinate campus wide collaboration as necessary to leverage distinct campus strengths aligned with prospective funders.
Prepare and provide detailed reports to the Associate Vice President for Development that clearly articulate progress vis a vis assigned goals and key performance indicators.
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.