Institutional Giving Manager

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Foundation and Corporate Foundation Grant Management (80%):

• Develop and implement initiatives to expand and diversify Facing Forward’s funder base.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with funders and other granting sources. Represent Facing Forward externally to the foundation community to increase the agency’s profile in both the funders and nonprofit environments.
• Create and manage an annual grants management plan with clear, quarterly goals, guiding the Development team’s efforts and tracking progress.
• Serve as the lead grant writer for Facing Forward, crafting compelling proposals and reports.
• Oversee the creation and submission of all grant materials.
• Manage the grants calendar, ensuring timely submission of proposals and reports.
• Act as the liaison for any external grant support, such as contracted grant writers.
• Partner with the Program and Finance departments to develop project/program budgets and implementation details.
• Identify, research, and evaluate potential foundation and corporate foundation prospects.
• Arrange and attend site visits with prospects and funders.
• Create and monitor the grants income budget and projections.
• Ensure compliance with all grant commitments.
• Work with the Development team to ensure timely acknowledgment of grant awards.
• Stay informed about Facing Forward’s programmatic needs.
• Collect and maintain programmatic data from program colleagues.
• Work with the Board of Directors to engage members who may have connections to foundations and corporations.
• Stay abreast of trends and changes in the philanthropic sector.

Partnership Development and Corporate Engagement (10%):

• Develop and implement a corporate fundraising strategy.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential corporate supporters.
• Create compelling corporate partnership packages that align with the interests of potential sponsors and Facing Forward’s goals.
• Explore potential event sponsorship opportunities, working in partnership with events team.
• Track revenue and report on progress toward goals.
• Steward relationships with corporate supporters, recognizing their contributions and cultivating long-term partnerships.
• Work closely with events and communications team members to ensure recognition and seamless integration of sponsors into events.
• Identify and explore potential partnerships with corporations, community organizations, and other stakeholders that can benefit Facing Forward.
• Collaborate with internal teams to leverage partnerships to advance Facing Forward’s mission.

Communications and Administration (10%):

• Serve as a passionate and articulate spokesperson for Facing Forward and as a prominent fundraising face throughout the organization, among stakeholders, and in the Chicago community.
• Contribute to communications efforts by reviewing and editing external communications materials.
• Actively participate in staff meetings.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Engage in professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, or Marketing.

Experience:

• Five years of previous work experience raising funds from institutional donors