Grant Specialist & Donor Relations Manager

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains•Fort Collins, CO

15d

About The Position

The Grants Specialist & Donor Relations Manager plays a vital role in the success of Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains' fund development efforts. This position supports grant prospecting, writing, and reporting, while also managing relationships with donors and major gift prospects. The Specialist will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, assist in planning fundraising events, and act as a primary contact for assigned donors and grantors. The role emphasizes securing gifts, retaining and strengthening existing giving, and ensuring timely and accurate completion of grant-related tasks.

Requirements

Must maintain a valid driver's license and carry personal auto liability insurance at the level of $100,000/300,000/100,000.
Bachelor's degree in social sciences and 2 or more years' experience in grants management, evaluation and/or program development; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate events: Familiarity with leading events by managing budget, logistics, event support, security, emergency plans, and follow up.
Identification of appropriate grant opportunities: Ability to research funding opportunities for assigned locations and program areas, assess the alignment with the agency's strategic direction and program priorities. Communicate the funding opportunities with the Director of Development and appropriate parties.
Strategic Thinker: Demonstrates a high level of understanding of the agency's strategic direction and corresponding program priorities.
Logistics Management: Supports grant manager in timely and accurate completion of all administrative tasks related to submission of applications/proposals, including detailed editing, formatting, assembly of proposal packages, collecting attachments/addenda, obtaining signatures, and mailing or electronic submission. Ensures timely completion of grant reporting and informs appropriate staff of upcoming deadlines with advanced notice.
Manage a caseload of assigned and qualified donors, fulfilling a communications plan with individual fundraising goals and personalized strategies.
Relationship Management: Ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts from donors and prospects, including one-to-one solicitation, gift acknowledgement, and stewardship communication.
Working in a Team Environment: Collaborate with development staff on integrated fundraising strategies, including direct marketing, social media, foundation, corporate, and planned giving.
Donor Cultivation: Organize and participate in donor/prospect cultivation and celebration events, such as private receptions, dinners, or seminars.
Records Entry and Maintenance: Maintain organized grant and donor files, CRM records, tracking spreadsheets, correspondence, gift acknowledgments and gift entry.
Life-Long Learner: Participate in professional development opportunities and trainings.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Research: Ability to find data both within the agency's database and in reputable data sources to support grant proposals through key demographics, evidence-based interventions and clear outcomes.
Identify and build relationships with potential donors and funders.
Secure commitments of participation or donations from individuals, foundations or corporate donors.
Write and send letters of thanks to donors.
Solicit cash, in-kind donations, or sponsorships from individuals, business, or government donors.
Update donor and grant databases.
Assist with developing strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
Assist with developing new grant proposals that meet the agency's current needs.
Develop and implement fundraising activities, such as annual giving campaigns, giving society events, and donor events.
Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.