Director of Institutional Giving

This job description is not designed to cover
or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or
responsibilities required of the employee. Employees are expected
to be responsible for and assist with additional tasks and duties
as needed. Job descriptions may change to meet the business needs
of the organization.

 

JOB PURPOSE: This position is responsible
for identification, cultivation, and direct solicitation of
institutional giving partners for American Prairie, including
individual, family and corporate grant-making foundations and brand
partners and public funding entities.   

 

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES:  

Institutional Giving Portfolio (70%)  

• Secure major, principal and planned gift commitments from
  individual, family, corporate grant-making foundations and brand
  partners, and public funding entities, per the following metric
  expectations:
  1. Manage and grow a portfolio of 50 to 75 donors and donor
     prospects with the capacity to make philanthropic gifts of $50,000
     to $1M+.
  2. Conduct donor visits regularly and often with a goal of 60 to
     80 meaningful visits per year, including qualifying at least 30
     prospects a year through discovery outreach and
     cultivation.
  3. Solicit at least five gift commitment proposals of $1M+ and
     eight gift commitment proposals of $250,000+ each year.
  4. This position will also receive credit for all gifts raised
     $10,000 or greater.
• Using a Moves Management approach, including personal visits,
  digital and mailed communications, phone and video calls, and
  hosted visits to American Prairie properties, works as a member of
  the American Prairie Philanthropy team to design and execute
  strategies that advance the cultivation and stewardship of
  institutional giving donors. Visit with foundation and corporate
  prospects to establish contacts, gather information, qualify
  prospects, present ideas, develop networks, promote understanding
  of American Prairie’s goals, request invitations for proposals, and
  conduct stewardship.
• Execute thorough, creative, impactful, and ambitious funding
  proposals through purposeful meetings, volunteer leads,
  presentations, grant letters, and applications, as determined by
  the funder.
• Create gift opportunities with internal partners (philanthropy
  colleagues, field and external relations colleagues, finance, and
  executive team) to meet organizational priorities and pursue
  funding in support of these goals.
• Identify new prospective institutional funders through research
  and peer-to-peer networks, serving as the strategic lead to align
  American Prairie’s organizational priorities with the defined
  priorities and interests of institutional partners.
• Write letters of inquiry, corporate pitches, concept papers,
  and research briefings.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge on all aspects of American
  Prairie’s mission and initiatives and communicate updates regularly
  to portfolio funders and prospective funders.
• Contribute to Philanthropy team key performance indicators
  (KPIs) and meet individual fundraising metrics.
• Contribute to planning and execution of the organization’s next
  comprehensive philanthropic campaign.
• Contribute to the Ken Burns American Heritage
  Prize, including opportunities for significant major
  sponsorships ($250K+).

 

Organizational Grants Program Systems, Reporting, and
Stewardship (25%) 

• Oversee, direct, manage, and execute American Prairie’s grant
  application program, working closely with the Philanthropy
  Operations and Finance teams to develop, improve, and streamline
  the templates, systems, and processes of complex grant applications
  to diverse funders.
• Working closely with Philanthropy Operations, 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 Finance, Marketing, and Executive teams, and
  Philanthropy team colleagues, to develop proposal budgets, deliver
  engagement opportunities, and monitor deliverables for grant
  contracts.

 

Other (5%) 

• Strategic Philanthropy team support, as determined.

  Qualifications:

Required

• Minimum 5+ years of philanthropic experience in the nonprofit
  sector, including securing funding from and stewarding large
  institutional partners. Proven ability to meet or exceed
  fundraising goals. Proven record of developing and sustaining
  productive relationships with foundation staff and corporate
  partners.
• Experience developing and executing corporate engagement
  opportunities including networking events, volunteer engagement
  activities, etc.
• Strong skills in creating powerful, compelling written and oral
  communications for fundraising. The ability to convey complex ideas
  via presentations, e-mails and face-to-face communications.
  Substantial experience writing grant proposals, letters of inquiry,
  and reports to institutions.
• Comprehensive program management skills and experience,
  including short- and long-term planning and evaluation,
  philanthropy ethics, cultivation practices, and development and
  maintenance of systems and processes.
• Basic accounting skills and understanding of nonprofit
  financial practices; ability to coordinate with Finance and
  Philanthropy staff to develop proposal budgets.
• Skilled in effective teamwork; ability to drive alignment and
  productive collaboration.
• Accustomed to being held accountable for ambitious bottom-line
  results.
• Strategic relationship management experience.
• Highly engaging and approachable with savvy interpersonal
  skills; diplomatic, ambassadorial, and authentic.
• Highly skilled and experienced in polished and persuasive
  written and oral communication.
• Entrepreneurial and creative; driven to innovate and
  improve.
• Enthusiasm for and positive representation of American
  Prairie’s mission, values, goals, and culture.
• Moderate travel, up to 5-10 nights per month, and ability to
  attend evening and weekend events.
• Proficient with current technology devices and software
  including databases and cloud-based software.
• Valid Driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and ability
  to drive.

 

Preferred

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Knowledge, understanding and familiarity with conservation
  missions and organizations.
• Experience in a leadership position.