Director of Institutional Giving

ABOUT NYC OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOLS

Why can’t school be more like an Outward Bound course? NYC Outward Bound Schools believes that students benefit greatly from tapping into the world beyond their classroom and their immediate community to partake in joyful learning experiences that can prepare them to thrive in community, college, and career. In partnership with the NYC public school system, NYC Outward Bound Schools is a non-profit organization that serves over 28,000 students in almost 80 schools across the five boroughs of New York City. NYC Outward Bound Schools provides opportunities for unique, liberatory, experiential learning for students in their social, emotional, and academic development. The organization supports NYC young people both by leading students in outdoor adventure programming that pushes beyond their traditional school experiences and also by coaching and supporting educators on how to incorporate lessons from these catalytic experiences within the classroom. Ultimately, our diverse and committed staff support NYC young people in unique ways to develop the knowledge and skills to lead with confidence and curiosity, persist in the face of challenges, and live fulfilling lives.

Role Summary

The Director of Institutional Giving reports to and works closely with the VP of Advancement & Communications to develop a strategy to significantly expand the organization’s institutional funding base. The Director of Institutional Giving will manage the institutional giving portfolio and identify, cultivate, solicit and steward foundation and corporate partners for NYC Outward Bound Schools, with a focus on strategies to attract new prospects and enhance the current level of support. The Director ideally thrives not only in crafting compelling narratives but in critical internal and external relationship building in ways that reflect NYC Outward Bound’s culture and maximize connection. This role will be a key member of our highly collaborative, four-person Advancement team, responsible for growing the institutional funding pool to $2M annual target over the next 3 years from private sources, supporting and expanding public funding pool, and for increasing the organization’s visibility. We are driven by our vision of a future where all NYC students are engaged in equitable, immersive, and joyful learning and are looking for someone who shares that passion and is excited by the opportunity to connect with our schools and students.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of foundations, corporations, and public funders in the 5- to 7-figure range.
• Co-create the institutional funding strategy with the VP of Advancement & Communications and alongside other NYC Outward Bound Leadership Team members to meet annual and multi-year revenue goals.
• Build and maintain a robust funder pipeline to support operational and capital needs by working to identify and cultivate new funders, actively pursuing aligned opportunities, and monitoring the funding landscapes for opportunities.
• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders from across the organization to develop and submit LOIs, grant proposals and reports to support new and existing programs – on time and with excellence.
• Cultivate and steward funding relationships including visits, updates and other meaningful connection.
• Uncover and implement creative opportunities to bolster corporate support and engagement.
• Continue to re-craft our funding pitch to match current organizational priorities and key messages to effectively position NYC Outward Bound Schools.
• Maintain exceptional systems for prospecting, funder qualification, submissions, and reporting as well as internal collaboration cadences to achieve aims.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5-7 years of demonstrated experience in the area of private sector fundraising, preferably for an educational or youth development focused institution.
• Proven track record prospecting, cultivating, closing and stewarding 5-to 7-figure+ institutional gifts.
• Strong familiarity with the philanthropic community in NYC, with an emphasis on corporate and foundation partners.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing effective fundraising strategies.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills; persuasive, credible and polished communicator, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrate a dedication to our core values of community, courage, equity, integrity, and learning.
• Creative, independent, and strategic thinker.
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Google, Wordpress and CRM management.
• Self-starter with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple tasks with solid deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail.

Location

• Hybrid position; Requires 2 days per week on site in Long Island City as outlined in the organization’s hybrid work policy

Application Process

Candidates can expect to participate in the following steps as part of NYC Outward Bound Schools selection process. At each stage, our HR team will communicate timelines and expectations:

• Resume Screen
• Introductory Phone Interview (conducted by the hiring manager or our HR team)
• Panel Interview (conducted by the hiring manager, team members, and key collaborators)
• Performance Task (defined, time limited task assessing key role responsibilities/competencies)

Studies have shown that certain populations, including women and people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

NYC Outward Bound Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination against, and harassment of, any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, qualified individuals with a disability on the basis of the disability, or any other category which may be protected under applicable state or federal law.

Benefits

• Hybrid schedule (Monday and Wednesday in-office)
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• HRA/FSA/Transit accounts
• Life insurance
• 403(b) with employer match after one year
• Generous PTO