Associate Director, Foundation Relations

Associate Director, Foundation Relations

Department: Philanthropy & Outreach
Location: Hybrid
Hours: 40 hours per week
Classification: Exempt

Summary of Position
Massachusetts Horticultural Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization helping people live healthier and happier lives through horticulture. MHS disseminates information on horticulture and related sciences through its gardens, library, educational programming, exhibitions, and community outreach initiatives. Through these, MHS seeks to engage guests with the importance of plants, gardens and natural landscapes in their lives and help them to become active growers and gardeners themselves. As the first established horticultural society in the United States, MHS has been practicing horticulture ‘for the public good’ since 1829.

The Associate Director of Foundation Relations works closely with the Director of Philanthropy & Outreach to guide and implement strategic department strategy, especially as it relates to foundation relations. Serving as a key member of the Philanthropy Department, this position is responsible for stewarding and securing foundation grants and will build a grant program that introduces and cultivates new funding sources for the organization. The Associate Director will work closely with programming and finance staff to identify funding opportunities and carry out a strong pre-and post-award process. 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a grant funding plan to sufficiently resource unrestricted, restricted, and capital projects.
• Perform research, seek philanthropic proposal matches, identify connections, and utilize moves management to develop and actively cultivate a pipeline of new foundation supporters.
• Write and submit grant proposals including narratives and project budgets to current and new grant funders.
• Work closely with organization leadership program teams to update and create new and engaging proposal projects.
• Utilize all marketing channels to highlight grant partners and promote funding opportunities.
• Ensure appropriate acknowledgment, reporting, and spend-down of all grants.
• All other duties as assigned.

Candidate Profile

We are interested in meeting with candidates who can clearly demonstrate a track record of success cultivating grant and other philanthropic opportunities.

• Demonstrable fundraising experience for a non-profit
• Positive relationship management skills and the ability to connect with donors and stakeholders
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow through with multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Positive team management skills
• Ability to shift priories based on pressing needs
• Strong attention to detail

In addition, the ideal candidate is very likely, but not required, to have:

• 5-7 years’ experience in progressively more responsible philanthropic roles
• A good undergraduate degree or experience in a role that normally requires this

Physical Requirements

• Ability to respond to and follow through with requests quickly and professionally
• Must be able to sit at workstation for prolonged periods of time
• Must have the ability to access gardens, grounds, different building locations, initiative/event locations, equipment, mailboxes, kitchen, parking areas, etc.
• Must have the ability to lift packages up to 15 pounds
• Must have access to transportation to/from initiative or event locations outside of office location as needed
• Must have the ability to order, pick up, or deliver supplies for initiatives/projects as needed

Supervision Received: Director of Philanthropy & Outreach

Supervision Exercised: N/A

Compensation and Benefits

The Compensation range for this position is $70,000 - $85,000 based on experience, fit and ability to have an immediate impact. Full-time positions include comprehensive benefits.

MHS is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability.

Salary : $70,000 - $85,000