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.