Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

The Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations (Director)
is a frontline fundraising position, responsible for managing a
portfolio of 75+ corporation and foundation prospects with the
ability and propensity to make major gifts (defined as $25,000+).
The primary focus of this position is to identify and cultivate
relationships with an emphasis on foundations, in addition to
corporations, whose mission and goals align with organizational
priorities to actively solicit major gifts for the University, its
colleges, and priority programs in alignment with the University’s
strategic plan. The Director works closely with deans, board
members, philanthropy operations, and other faculty and staff to
promote and grow a robust culture of philanthropy to meet the
financial goals of the institution.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Texas A&M University-Commerce’s Director of Corporate &
Foundation Relations will:

• manage and grow a portfolio of 75+ foundation and corporate
  prospects and donors based primarily in the Northeast Texas region
  with the capacity to make gifts and grants ranging from $25,000 –
  $500,000+, supporting multiple areas of the University;
• conduct donor visits regularly and often with a goal of 75+
  meaningful visits per year, including identifying and qualifying at
  least 24 corporations and foundations per year;
• submit at least three solicitations of $500,000+ and 12
  solicitations of $25,000 – $499,999 each year;
• create gift opportunities/proposals with internal partners
  (deans, faculty members, athletics, and Philanthropy &
  Engagement colleagues) to meet organizational priorities and pursue
  funding in support of these goals;  
• write letters of inquiry, corporate pitches, concept papers,
  and research briefings;
• visit with foundation and corporate prospects to establish
  contacts, qualify prospects, present ideas, develop networks,
  promote understanding of University programs and priorities,
  request invitations for proposals, and conduct stewardship;
• strategically partner with A&M-Commerce Leadership,
  volunteers, and staff on such visits and prepare with pre-meeting
  planning and post-meeting debriefing and follow-up;
• develop, write, and carry out prospect engagement strategies by
  identifying, qualifying, and cultivating prospects, determining
  amount and timing of requests;
• write and oversee the creation of proposals;
• solicit prospects in face-to-face meetings;
• deliver appropriate stewardship (including corporate
  engagement) and report on gifts made by the respective
  organizations;
• determine an effective sequence of work, including planning and
  monitoring activity timelines for each donor or prospect including
  proposal due dates, reporting dates, cultivation and stewardship
  activities, and managing simultaneous proposals and strategies
  while meeting required deadlines;
• coordinate with colleagues and academic leadership finance to
  develop proposal budgets and monitor agreed-upon budgetary reports;
   
• work with Philanthropy & Engagement counterparts in
  coordinated activities, such as joint grant requests and
  stewardship to secure optimum gifts, and participate in
  collaborative team meetings; and
• work with appropriate Philanthropy & Engagement staff to
  prepare internal stakeholders for foundation site visits, corporate
  engagement events, and donor recognition events.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or related
  experience is required. 
• Experience: A minimum of five years’
  experience in progressive nonprofit fundraising roles, including
  the creation of donor strategies, soliciting and securing major
  gifts, and stewarding corporate and foundation partners.
• Knowledge / Skills: A commitment to
  A&M-Commerce’s mission to transform lives; knowledge of and
  experience with Texas’ philanthropic community, especially the
  Dallas-Fort Worth and Northeast Texas regions; outstanding
  organization and time management skills to function efficiently in
  a fast-paced, deadline-oriented, and self-motivated environment; an
  ability to create compelling written and oral communications for
  fundraising purposes; ability to convey complex ideas via
  presentations, e-mails, and face-to-face communications; experience
  writing grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports;
  experience developing and sustaining productive relationships with
  foundation staff and corporate partners; experience developing and
  executing corporate engagement opportunities including networking
  events and volunteer engagement activities; basic accounting skills
  and an understanding of nonprofit financial practices; and an
  ability to coordinate with internal staff to develop proposals,
  budgets, and accompanying materials.
• Ability to: Multitask, follow through, and
  work individually and cooperatively as part of the Philanthropy
  & Engagement team. Ability to present information clearly and
  concisely. Ability to manage several large grants, relationships,
  and projects simultaneously. Ability to quickly learn and utilize
  people, resources, and information across the campus. Ability to
  work well with colleagues and students.
• Licensing/Professional Certifications: Valid
  Driver’s license required.
• Physical Requirements: None
• Other Requirements: Frequent travel averaging
  about 40% of time spent out of the office. Travel may include some
  air travel and overnight stays.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / SKILLS/
EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree preferred. Raiser’s Edge NXT experience. Higher
education fundraising experience. Capital campaign experience.
Bilingual.

• Licensing/Professional Certifications: CFRE,
  AFP, Blackbaud, or comparable certifications.

SUPERVISION OF OTHERS:

None

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to
a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon
the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other
information required by the institution’s procedures, including the
completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability
Employer.