Philanthropy Specialist: Programs & Partnerships

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital•Grand Rapids, MI

16h•Onsite

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.

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.