Foundations Relation Director

As a member of the Development team, the Foundations Relations Director will lead stewardship of current corporate and foundation fundraising efforts, as well as identify, cultivate, and secure new funding opportunities to grow private revenue for City Year Cleveland. Reporting to the Managing Director, Development, and working closely with site leadership, Site Board and Associate Board members, the Foundations Relations Director will contribute to achieving the departmental goal of increasing private revenue.

This person will be an effective relationship builder and storyteller who can bring our educational equity work to life though strong presentations, communication, and grant proposals that inspire investment and build a pipeline of corporate philanthropy and foundation funding. They will be a creative fundraiser, passionate about education and social justice that leverages their network, knowledge of Cleveland corporations and foundations, existing City Year relationships, and targeted prospects to build a pipeline of champions. They will develop customized philanthropic engagement that builds genuine connection, advancing this important work, including the prioritization of time and resources to ensure maximum return.

This individual must possess a collaborative working style; someone who will serve as a producer and thought partner to leadership and stakeholders throughout the site, as well as leveraging the support and resources from City Year’s national Headquarters team.

Responsibilities

Foundations Relations  

• Work closely with the Executive Director, Managing Director, Development, and Regional Grants Manager to oversee a portfolio of existing foundation relationships and identify, research, and set strategies to actively prospect new foundation funders with a goal of increasing funding.  
• Systematically track deadlines & foundation expectations to ensure reports and letters of intent are submitted in a timely manner to ensure ongoing funding.  
• Work closely with Regional Grant Writer to submit compelling and timely grant proposals and reports.  

Corporate Partnerships   

• Work closely with the Managing Director, Development to retain and cultivate existing corporate revenue and develop strategies to grow the corporate portfolio over time.  
• Work closely with the Board and Development Team, to identify, engage, and cultivate corporate prospects that can make annual and multiyear investments at the $10,000+ level.
• Leverage existing City Year programs, including Team Sponsorships, corporate service days, and specialty market events, and design new initiatives to attract new partners.  
• Manage the local contacts for City Year's national relationships at up to $100,000+ annually, with the opportunity to work on national strategies for growth. 

Pipeline Development and Prospect Engagement  

• For both Corporate and Foundations, act as a thought partner with the Managing Director, Development and Executive Director to strategize and manage donor prospect stewardship efforts, which may include school site visits, corporate service days, and other external networking events.   
• Manage Associates Board with intentional engagement and partner with Board members to expand our current network of supporters.  
• Prepare Executive Director and Managing Directors to make asks, as necessary.   
• Actively participate in bi-weekly pipeline meetings with Development Team and Executive Director.  
• Participate in Board Development Committee calls with the Managing Director, Development.  

Donor Recognition and Development Operations  

• Develop and maintain strategic moves management plan to direct and monitor the progress of donor relationships.  
• Ensure accurate maintenance of donor information, revenue records, and collection documentation in Salesforce.  
• Regularly monitor progress and follow up to ensure timely collection of gifts.  
• Ensure existing and new donors are added to mailing lists and campaigns. 

Organizational Initiatives

• Attend and help for other whole site events including Make A Difference Day, Global Youth Service Day, Graduation, and other site-wide designated events.
• Attend overnight events including AmeriCorps member retreats, Summer Academy (a conference for all City Year Staff held in Boston in July), and other national events. 
• Participate in City Year Cleveland portfolio groups on topics of interest.
• Assume other tasks as delegated by the Managing Director, Development.

Qualifications   

• 5-8 years of experience in fundraising, sales, or other relationship management
• Experience creating and implementing cultivation strategies with corporate donors
• Experience working with foundations, identifying prospects, and writing proposals
• Expertise in Salesforce a plus  
• Proven track record of meeting and exceeding goals  
• Entrepreneurial and eager to build a sustainable program  
• Strong and compelling oral and written communications  
• Strong collaborator and individual contributor who can adapt their style to the circumstances
• Able to work effectively under pressure, handle competing priorities and respond to short 
• deadlines, with a team and independently  
• Strong passion for and commitment to City Year’s mission of delivering high impact service to  children and schools; developing young adults participating in national service; promoting and  advancing the concept of voluntary national service; belief in youth as agents of social change
• City Year / AmeriCorps experience is a plus  

COVID-19 Notice   

Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees and AmeriCorps members and their families; our students and school partners; and the community at large from COVID-19. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for employment and service – all staff members, including remote staff, and AmeriCorps members are required to be fully vaccinated* no later than their start date. If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely-held religious beliefs, we will consider requests for reasonable accommodation consistent with our policy, and where we are able to provide such accommodations without undue hardship to the organization pursuant to applicable law. Notwithstanding any language herein, City Year will comply with any state, local, or federal orders, statutes, or regulations that may conflict with the COVID-19 vaccination policy.  

*Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose of a single-dose vaccination (Johnson & Johnson).