Philanthropy Specialist: Programs & Partnerships

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital • Grand Rapids, MI

1d

About The Position

The Philanthropy Specialist, Programs & Partnerships is responsible for turning fundraising strategy into action. This role drives the day-to-day execution of program funding efforts, ensuring grants are submitted, campaigns are launched, donors are stewarded, and impact is clearly communicated. This role also will hold an entry to mid-level donor portfolio to support the Quality of Life programs. Working in close partnership with the Director and Foundation team, this role serves as the operational engine behind program-based philanthropy, translating big ideas into tangible outputs that generate revenue and strengthen donor trust. This is a highly detail-oriented, deadline-driven role that sits at the center of data, storytelling, and execution. The Specialist manages day-to-day donor relationships, supports grant activity, and delivers thoughtful stewardship experiences that demonstrate impact and strengthen long-term donor engagement across key program areas, including quality-of-life initiatives, Wheelchair & Adaptive Sports, recreation therapy, child and family services, and community-based programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, healthcare administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 3–5 years of professional fundraising or nonprofit development experience, including grants or donor relationship management.
• Proven experience managing a donor portfolio, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Experience conducting donor or prospect research and supporting proposal development or grant submissions.
• Strong verbal communication skills with ability to participate in public speaking events; ability to write clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across teams.
• Excellent computer skills including Word, Excel, Power Point and donor database systems
• Exceptional relationship-building skills with donors, volunteers, internal stakeholders, and community partners.
• Ability to work independently while thriving in a highly collaborative, cross-functional environment.
• High-energy, positive, “can-do” attitude, flexibility, teamwork, and attention to detail; high degree of initiative with an ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and thorough understanding of strategic development.
• Remain in a stationary position: Majority
• Use keyboard: Frequently
• Receive and communicate information and ideas for understanding: Frequently
• Transport, position, and/or exert force: Up to 10 pounds: Occasionally

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a healthcare, hospital, or complex mission-driven organization.
• Managing and researching grants and organizations that align with our mission.
• Experience supporting quality-of-life, patient experience, child and family services, or community-based programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead an entry to mid-level donor portfolio for Quality of Life Programs
• Translate strategic priorities into executable campaigns, proposals, and deliverables
• Develop and execute program-specific appeals and funding initiatives
• Ensure all fundraising activities are delivered on time, with high quality and attention to detail
• Proactively identify needs and next steps to move work forward
• Collaborates with program and hospital teams to gather program information and translate funding needs into clear, donor-ready language and materials.
• Supports the development of donor relationships through coordinated outreach, stewardship, and engagement activities aligned with program priorities.
• Works closely with clinical and program staff to understand outcomes, impact, and storytelling opportunities.
• Designs and executes stewardship plans for assigned donor portfolio that communicate impact, gratitude, and outcomes.
• Collaborates across the Foundation team to plan and deliver donor cultivation and stewardship experiences in support of programmatic fundraising and engagement.
• Coordinates donor recognition, thank-you communications, site visits, and program engagement opportunities.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions and moves management activity in the donor database.
• Write, submit, and manage grant proposals and reports
• Manages relationships with foundation donors within assigned portfolio, in coordination with the Director.
• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar to ensure deadlines are met
• Ensure compliance with funder requirements and reporting expectations
• Conducts prospect and grant research and supports proposal development, reporting, and compliance in coordination with the Director and Foundation team.
• Gathers program data, outcomes, and narratives to support grant submissions and reports.
• Works collaboratively with Foundation colleagues to support integrated fundraising, stewardship, and prospecting strategies.
• Participates in team meetings, planning sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Demonstrates a commitment to learning program-based fundraising and growing into increased responsibility over time.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behaviors as well as encourages, coaches, and monitors the same in team members.
• This individual should consistently promote teamwork and direct communication with co-workers and deal discretely and sensitively with confidential information.
• Contribute by identifying problems and seeking solutions.
• Promote patient/family satisfaction where possible; participates in departmental efforts to monitor and report customer service.

Benefits

• Putting everybody in motion.
• Fueled by our passion for innovative, integrated rehabilitation care, our teams work together to elevate everyone’s potential.
• Whether you’re here to ensure a safe environment at our hospitals, provide clinical care or help our patients navigate their next appointment, we’re united by the same mission: to restore hope and freedom through rehabilitation.
• Everyone plays an integral role in defining a better future for ourselves, our patients, and our communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level