Director of Foundation Relations - Great Lakes Region

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. • Ann Arbor, MI

13d

About The Position

Ducks Unlimited, Inc., the continent’s leader in waterfowl and wetlands conservation, seeks a Director of Foundation Relations with the following primary responsibilities: Provide strategic direction and leadership for the development efforts in the Great Lakes and Atlantic Region states of IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, and WI (DU’s Regions 3 and 5). Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts from foundations, corporations and corporate foundations to support the conservation mission of Ducks Unlimited. Coordinate with conservation and development colleagues to develop proposals and secure funding for Ducks Unlimited’s priority initiatives. Provide the expertise to advance Ducks Unlimited’s interests by researching and identifying sources of support, proactively seeking new opportunities based on corporate/foundation guidelines and interests and maintaining strong communication ties with donors and prospects. Partner with the event fundraising staff to raise awareness of DU’s major gift program to increase major gift revenue in the region. Work with the volunteer leadership to motivate and guide volunteers to assist with major gift fundraising. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of four years of fundraising or related experience with an emphasis on foundation and corporate major gift solicitation and a strong conservation ethic. Additional qualifications include: Bachelor’s degree Excellent interpersonal, relationship and team-building skills Strong oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on the skills needed to write a compelling solicitation proposal Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices and procedures for obtaining information about the giving programs of corporations and foundations Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies and techniques, particularly corporate and foundation fundraising techniques Ability to provide leadership and guidance to other fundraising professionals and volunteers Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for a diverse number of projects and to complete them on time with limited supervision Computer literacy with proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet and database management programs The successful candidate will be a self-starter who works independently as well as part of a team and is driven to succeed. Familiarity with major gift fundraising, experience with comprehensive campaigns, relationships and a working knowledge of the philanthropic community, and an interest in outdoor conservation activities are also desired. The selected candidate must be willing to work hours that extend beyond the typical workday and workweek throughout the year; occasional overnight travel is required. Salary will be commensurate with experience. This position reports to the Senior Managing Director of Foundation Relations and will be expected to reside in a mutually agreed upon city in the 8-state region, preferably near Ann Arbor, Michigan, where our regional office is located.

Requirements

• minimum of four years of fundraising or related experience with an emphasis on foundation and corporate major gift solicitation and a strong conservation ethic
• Bachelor’s degree
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship and team-building skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills with an emphasis on the skills needed to write a compelling solicitation proposal
• Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices and procedures for obtaining information about the giving programs of corporations and foundations
• Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies and techniques, particularly corporate and foundation fundraising techniques
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance to other fundraising professionals and volunteers
• Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for a diverse number of projects and to complete them on time with limited supervision
• Computer literacy with proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet and database management programs

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with major gift fundraising
• experience with comprehensive campaigns
• relationships and a working knowledge of the philanthropic community
• an interest in outdoor conservation activities

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership for the development efforts in the Great Lakes and Atlantic Region states of IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, and WI (DU’s Regions 3 and 5).
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts from foundations, corporations and corporate foundations to support the conservation mission of Ducks Unlimited.
• Coordinate with conservation and development colleagues to develop proposals and secure funding for Ducks Unlimited’s priority initiatives.
• Provide the expertise to advance Ducks Unlimited’s interests by researching and identifying sources of support, proactively seeking new opportunities based on corporate/foundation guidelines and interests and maintaining strong communication ties with donors and prospects.
• Partner with the event fundraising staff to raise awareness of DU’s major gift program to increase major gift revenue in the region.
• Work with the volunteer leadership to motivate and guide volunteers to assist with major gift fundraising.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees