Manager, Corporate & Foundation Relations (Chicago IL) - GPAC

Manager, Corporate & Foundation Relations

At GPAC we are currently working with this exceptional nonprofit organization that works to mitigate the effect of systemic and structural forces impeding Black students by improving and increasing educational opportunities and access. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity that further college completion and career placement. They are increasing the economic mobility and stability of Black students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

This nonprofit organization has successfully supported over 2,500 low- to moderate-income students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, they will serve nearly 300 middle and high schoolers. Our Scholars represent more than 60 Chicagoland neighborhoods, with a focus on supporting ten South and West Side communities: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Shore, and Washington Park.

Looking to make a difference by linking students to opportunities so they can take a new path—one that leads to their full potential and our city’s vibrant future? Then join our team!

The goal of this nonprofit is to mitigate the effect of systemic and structural forces impeding Black students by improving and increasing educational opportunities and access. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity that further college completion and career placement. They are increasing the economic mobility and stability of Black students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

We link high-potential Black students in Chicago to the path to, through, and beyond college. For Black students to become tomorrow’s leaders they must have access to educational resources and tools today.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Development, the Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations will develop and execute the annual strategy to successfully and regularly secure funding from foundations and corporate entities. They will cultivate a philanthropic community of funders by inviting them to assist this nonprofit organization to reach its fundraising objectives and mission. This person will be responsible for identifying new supporters and building key relationships with foundations and corporate donors. Working with current fund development team, they will manage the organization’s full range of grant and proposal activities required to secure funding. This role will be critical to developing a strong pipeline of givers that contributes to the organization’s long-term growth strategy.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

● Leads in a way that is consistent with the vision, mission, and culture of the organization and commits to excellence in every aspect of the overall operation.

● Follows all guidelines as outlined in the financial policies and procedures manual and employee handbook, including maintaining the organization’s message and brand standards.

● Participates in development team meetings and one-on-one personal development plan meetings.

● Learn, study, and become an expert on why the mission is critical to supporting Black youth so as to communicate compelling funding proposals and presentations.

● Conducts the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals to foundation and corporate sources

● Coordinates the research on foundations and corporations to evaluate prospects for corporate and foundation grants.

● May collaborate with contracted development staff through the successful preparation of proposals and grants.

● Provides strategic cultivation and stewardship activities with current and prospective corporate and foundation partners to ensure annual and long-term development goals are achieved.

● Coordinate corporate and foundation communications, including developing newsletter content, email blasts, event announcements, mailings, appeals, collateral, etc.

● Develop and manage all aspects of the corporate annual fund program including strategic goals, moves management action plan, membership development and retention, including corporate sponsorships

● Ensure all gifts and sponsorships are accurately acknowledged and tracked with support from the Development Associate.

● Identify areas of connectivity between Mentors and their places of work to enhance programmatic support and develop corporate giving relationships including matching gift coordination.

● Works collaboratively with the Fund Development Manager to implement short and long-term development strategies to increase connected giving between individuals and family foundations donors.

● Works with finance and program team to gather information necessary to report to corporate/ foundation funders on current grant programs.

● Manages the annual calendar of grant proposals and reports and complies with all grant reporting as required by foundation/corporate donors.

● Provides stewardship engagement opportunities and regular impact updates and prompt responses to current foundation and corporate donors.

● Assists in providing support to the Board for fundraising initiatives.

● Coordinates appointments for CEO and Senior Director of Development with foundation officers and other prospects, arrange for onsite tours for supporters (foundation officers, foundation trustees).

● Identifies and suggests new strategies and tools to connect with fresh audiences of potential supporters.

● Maintains current records in electronic database and in paper files, including grant tracking and reporting.

● Aggressively tracks statistics relevant to development and provides the department with written materials necessary for donor stewardship (visitor number and diversity, educational program attendance, etc.).

● Establishes a metrics-driven strategy for corporate and foundation donors and works toward annual growth goals.

● Cultivate relationships with current or lapsed corporate and foundation donors to grow their annual giving.

● Transform contacts into new relationships and make strategic asks according to the donor’s potential and grant process.

● Ensure professional, timely, and consistent reporting and communication with donors, appropriate to the overall fund development strategy for foundations and corporations—including managing all acknowledgments.

● Create ways to acknowledge and show donors appreciation and the impact of their gifts.

● Strategize and execute cultivation events that include major donors and prospects. Be a visible presence and support of special events, such as major donor cultivation events and fundraisers.

● Performs other duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

● Bachelor’s degree required.

● At least 3-5 five years of nonprofit fundraising experience with institutional donors and proposal writing.

● Progressive experience in foundation and corporate grant work, knowledge of “best practices” within the development field, as well as the implementation of grant reporting and management.

● Ability to thrive in a sales-driven environment—motivated by hitting monthly and annual metrics as dictated by the development plan.

● Very familiar with producing reports, analyzing data through a donor database, and making suggestions for improvement.

● Driven to and excited by the opportunity to help shape the fundraising department and the organization as a whole.

● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Solution focused.

● Excellent time management skills.

● Must be able to prioritize and independently manage projects from implementation through completion; able to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

● Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.

● Ability to work independently as well as on a team.

● Excellent communication and relationship-building and partnership cultivation skills with an ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.

● Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Adobe Suite, and an electronic donor database; training in Salesforce is preferred. Must have the ability to learn new or updated software.

● Must be able to occasionally work varied shifts dependent on events and staffing needs. Requires some evening/weekend work

Characteristics

● Exemplifies the mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with all policies and procedures of the organization.

● Cheerful and welcoming demeanor.

● Strong work ethic.

● A self-starter, creative, and forward thinker.

● Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.

● Exercises good judgment with an ability to manage situations with tact and discretion.

● Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work enthusiastically with changing priorities or response to emergency situations

Work Schedule

Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, but requires 40-50 hours per week. Hybrid schedule: remotely twice a week (Mondays & Fridays) and in-office Tuesday through Thursday. Must also have some flexibility to on occasion work a slightly later schedule to support special events.

Compensation

Salary range $55-$65k; to be determined based on experience and skills. Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, Retirement, PTO days, 11 Holidays, and a holiday shut down from Christmas Eve through New-Year’s day.

Please send all resumes confidentially to kevin.jackson@gogpac.com