Grants and Foundations Gift Officer

results-driven, polished professional possessing creativity, vision, enthusiasm and a strong drive to succeed, then the Indianapolis Zoo is looking for you to join our herd as a Grants and Foundations Gift Officer.

The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking an experienced, results-oriented Grants and Foundations Gift Officer to participate as a key member of an Institutional Advancement team that creates and implements strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward grant and foundation support.

This position is responsible for the identification, solicitation, and stewardship of funding relationships with foundations and other grant partners in support of the Zoo’s mission. The incumbent actively manages a portfolio of approximately 150 new and existing funders to contribute to the Zoo’s annual and long-term fundraising goals. This will primarily include grant funds and foundations including both restricted and unrestricted funds.

The Grants and Foundations Gift Officer will also actively participate in the Zoo’s $53 million capital campaign – The Campaign for Our Zoo, Our Community, Our World. The Grants and Foundation Gift Officer will work closely with other members of the Institutional Advancement team, Executive Vice President, President & CEO, various Zoo colleagues, volunteers, various committees and board members, as well as donors and prospects.

During the last half-century, the Indianapolis Zoo developed into a global leader in animal conservation and one of the top tourist destinations in Indiana, welcoming more than one million visitors annually. As one of the largest zoos in the country that receives no direct tax funding, our fundraising team plays an integral role in our organization’s success. These talented and dedicated professionals support the Zoo’s efforts to save wild things and wild places around the world and close to home.

Requirements include:

• A minimum of five (5) years fundraising experience in grant writing and management at a nonprofit organization.
• Grant solicitation success and procurement required. Ability to demonstrate procurement of grants more than $25,000.
• Basic knowledge of institutional advancement functions in not-for-profit organizations.
• Significant knowledge of funding organizations (both private and governmental) structures, systems, and requirements.
• Excellent writing, organizational and communication skills are required.
• Must have strong research, project management, grant and program budgeting, tracking skills to carry out daily tasks.
• Knowledge of Indianapolis and surrounding communities is preferred.
• Ability to meet short and long-term goals is required.
• Ability to effectively translate the mission, programs, and activities to meet the needs of a variety of funding sources.
• Ability to work in concert with the Institutional Advancement department and other staff members to fulfill in a team environment.
• Familiarity in working with nonprofit organizations is required.
• Familiarity with the Zoo’s mission and general organization is preferred.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent oral communication skills and writing ability.
• Proficiency in accuracy, detail, and follow-up.
• Ability to multi-task; handle stressful situations and deadline pressures.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including off-hours around IA activities.
• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field is required.
• A competent user of Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar database is required. Must be an intermediate user of Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• At least three (3) professional references (not relatives) are required.
• This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, position that will typically work a Monday-Friday schedule but must be able to work evenings and weekends for peak event demands.

To apply:

• Interested candidates must complete an online Zoo application by the deadline of May 17, 2024.
• To be considered, applicants must include a resume, cover letter and salary requirements.
• Please feel free to submit any writing samples with the application. Finalists for this position may be asked to complete a Concrete Data Sheet to help gauge their writing ability/style.