Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager

AMERICAN HIKING SOCIETY

American Hiking Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976, is the only national nonprofit serving the hiking community. Our mission is empowering ALL to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience. We achieve our mission through grassroots and grasstops advocacy and trail service programs, and we envision a world where everyone feels welcome in the American hiking community and has permanent access to meaningful hiking, including urban, frontcountry, and backcountry opportunities. Our trail service programs include week- and weekend-long trips based all over the country, including Alternative Break (for college-age students and young professionals) for those new to trail service, Volunteer Vacations (all ages) for all trail service experience levels, and American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® (a national day of advocacy and trail service on the 1st Saturday in June, involving 1000+ events and more than 100,000 participants). Our advocacy programs include the year-long NextGen Trail Leaders program (18-40 year old rising leaders in conservation and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion who participate in advocacy campaigns) and Hike the Hill® (an annual advocacy fly-in in Washington, D.C. organized in collaboration with the Partnership for the National Trail System that brings together 100+ trail organizations and advocates). AHS is committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in all we do, internally and externally; and we are a collaborative, de-siloed team that values harnessing each other’s strengths and honoring work-life balance.

CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION RELATIONS MANAGER

Location: This is a fully remote position. We will consider applicants from every US state with the exception of AK, CA, HI, and WA.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager grows the corporation and foundation revenue streams for AHS by developing strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with corporate brands and foundation partners, ensuring agreement deliverables are met in collaboration with corporate and foundation partners, and prospecting and securing funding from corporate brands through regular virtual meetings and from foundations through relationship development and grant writing expertise. This position has responsibility for preliminary prospect research that qualifies prospective corporate brand partners and foundations for further cultivation and stewardship. While this position will focus on corporate partner and foundation relations, secondary responsibilities may include individual donor relations as needed. The Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager reports to the Executive Director.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a portfolio of 75 corporate and foundation donors and prospects; build and maintain relationships with new and existing corporate and foundation supporters.
• Work closely with American Hiking Society’s corporate brand partners to form long-term relationships and, with the Manager of Communications, coordinate the execution of social media and digital communications deliverables within agreements.
• Continuously prospect and engage new corporate brand partners for annual or multi-year partnerships. Help to innovate new modes of partnership with brands.
• Know the details and history of AHS programs and advocacy in order to pitch philanthropic support to prospective corporate and foundation partners.
• Identify new opportunities for foundation funding and cultivate relationships with program officers, foundation trustees, and grant managers, serving as the point of contact for correspondence and communications.
• Complete and submit national and local grant proposals with support from the AHS team.
• Manage all aspects of foundation writing for grants, letters of inquiry, and follow up reporting.
• Obtain and organize data necessary for proposal writing and reporting.
• Supervise Development Intern when applicable.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist Executive Director in the management of the AHS Board Development Committee.
• Assist Executive Director with regular fundraising training for the AHS Board of Directors.
• Support the AHS Board of Directors as they work to engage their corporate and foundation contacts.
• Be an engaged team member when opportunities for funding arise from other entities.
• Work to secure in-kind donation products to further AHS programming.
• Maintain digital files for corporations and foundations.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Commitment to follow AHS Values and AHS’s Commitment to the Hiking Community.
• Genuine belief in the AHS Mission of empowering all to enjoy, share, and preserve the hiking experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, Business, Non-Profit Management, or similar field
• 5+ years of experience in a fundraising or marketing position, preferably in a non-profit organization.
• Demonstrated experience securing grant funding through written grant proposals.
• Excellent public speaking and written communications skills; ability to present information concisely and with enthusiasm.
• Skilled relationship builder who enjoys creating strong partnerships.
• Ability to manage a wide variety of responsibilities and projects.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Database management experience preferred.
• Project management experience is a plus.
• An understanding of social media content development for business/nonprofit.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to exemplify a can-do work ethic and attitude.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of professional demeanor and work successfully with a wide variety of constituents including board members, supporters, volunteers, and consultants.
• A self motivator with the ability to work independently with light supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; Ability to develop relationships through remote work setting.
• Growth mindset – always thinking creatively about how to grow revenue and impact of the organization.
• An innovative thinker in brand partnership development.
• Customer service mindset.
• Familiarity with Asana and WordPress a plus.

BENEFITS

• Flexible work hours between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST as agreed upon with the Executive Director.
• Company-paid health, vision, and dental insurance for employee.
• Generous leave policy to include three weeks vacation your first year, sick leave, paid holidays, as well as days off to go hiking, volunteer, and enjoy your birthday
• 403(b) retirement savings account available.
• Computer equipment provided by American Hiking if needed; must have own phone for receiving AHS-related calls (AHS does not provide a stipend for mobile service).
• Strong culture of work/life balance and a high value placed on the mental and physical health of employees.