Director, Foundation Relations

WHO WE ARE :

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The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.

The Director, Foundation Relations works nationally across all markets seeking sustained 6 & 7-figure giving though national and corporate foundations as part of a larger Individual Giving team responsible for raising $35 million annually.

The Director, Foundation Relations strategically engages a pipeline of new foundation prospects. This individual actively engages in cross-functional relationship management teams that includes high-level Society leadership to increase outreach to foundations and expand the foundations portfolio for the Society.

Essential Functions / Responsibility

Grow Revenue - 70%

• Manage a portfolio of 75-100 donors and in conjunction with the Sr. Director, prospect new business to build a pipeline of qualified donors in the 6-7 figure range.
• Develop relationships, set and activate solicitation strategies including writing complex and nuanced proposals.
• Serve as relationship lead to national and global public, private, and corporate foundations, identifying specific interests and deepen their connection to the organization.
• In partnership with the Prospect Research & Management team, regularly research, qualify and assign foundations to portfolio through defined processes.
• Collaborative with Individual Giving Staff, Corporate Engagement staff, market leaders, executive staff and volunteers, serving as the relationship lead to strategize solicitation.
• Articulate the case for support, through oral and written means, so that foundations engage and financially support the mission and vision of the MS Society.
• Drive key functions of the Individual Giving operational plan to achieve targeted revenue goals Society-wide.
• Establish relationship management teams for high-capacity relationships within the portfolio and deploy teams as appropriate to engage foundation leaders and decision makers so that the Society is well positioned to compete for grant funding and deliver exceptional stewardship.
• Leverage national donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities to increase meaningful interactions with foundations.
• Activate gift renewal strategies aligning resources and executing streamlined processes to retain foundation donors.

Proposal Development - 20%

• Analyze the purpose and audience of an RFP to identify an appropriate strategy for a particular foundation to frame and develop properly nuanced, persuasive proposals.
• Craft clear and concise materials, including need statements, goals, key project activities, and expected outcomes according to detailed grant guidelines to tell the story of the Society's work.
• Plan and produce comprehensive, customized, compelling, and detailed proposals and impact reports utilizing the Society's funding framework.

Administration - 10%

• Actively record and upload activities into Salesforce for all assigned foundations.
• Oversee qualification of 6-figure+ foundations prospects and lead portfolio management, ensuring team assignments are regularly updated.
• Regularly review and maintain fluency in team budgets, financial reports, and other meaningful reports to help ensure the team is meeting revenue and performance goals.

Pull defined reports from the reporting system.

• Conduct prospect research utilizing a suite of resources, including Foundation Directory Online and iWave.
• Ensure executive readiness for foundation engagement opportunities by making key relationship assignments, preparing foundation briefings with moves management plans, and capturing all notes in Salesforce and in debrief materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Role Requirements

• 6+ years progressive fundraising experience with foundations and track record for articulating a case for giving to confidently close grants and gifts at the 6-figure+ level.
• Ability to assess staff strengths, coach and mentor staff in other functional areas to build more collaborative relationships and achieve individual giving goals.
• Comfort in analyzing data to uncover foundation prospects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and collaboration skills.
• Capable of handling numerous tasks at once and still meeting deadlines.
• Grant writing, time management, and relationship management skills required.
• Must be an action-oriented professional with the following attributes : proven ability to elevate donor and volunteer relationships;

high emotional intelligence; collegial, and accessible; excellent listening skills, passion for the mission.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to communicate effectively and professionally with high level Society executive staff and board members and to build productive relationships with foundation major gift prospects.
• Ability to create and utilize donor prospecting and management tools including CRM software, wealth screening software, moves management, donor briefing documents, etc.
• Proven ability to identify new prospects, build and maintain strong relationships with foundation donors and develop strategies for cultivation and stewardship.

Identify, assess, and analyze specific areas of foundation giving and level of potential engagement with the Society.

• Able to work both independently as well as part of a team to move initiatives and work forward.
• Desire and ability to stay informed about recent advances related to the MS movement as well as Society initiatives, progress and engagement opportunities for sharing with foundations.
• Knowledge of industry standards, current trends, and best practices in foundation fundraising.
• Understanding of the donor lifecycle and how to apply it to work with portfolio.

Technical Competencies

• Experience with Salesforce (preferred) or equivalent CRM database, Foundation Directory Online, and prospect research tools.
• Strong computer skills : MS Office XP - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Database / Reporting tools, Outlook and Internet. Ability to use Microsoft Teams or equivalent and lead web-based presentations.
• Project Management experience including ability to manage multiple and high priority projects at one time.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, cultural values, and expectations of the National MS Society.
• Motivated individual who can deliver on goals.
• Ability to quickly build credibility within and outside of the organization and make an immediate contribution to accomplishing key priorities.
• Creative and energetic individual who functions well within a fast-paced, team environment, which includes cross-department collaboration.
• Ability to work well with volunteers, staff, and a variety of constituents is essential.
• This position may be required to drive / travel on Society business. Candidate must possess a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and reliable transportation.

The Society does run motor vehicle checks for all positions which require driving, and the applicant must meet the Society guidelines.

Availability to work occasional nights and weekends to support donor engagement activities, events, etc.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS :

We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions.

With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort.

Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume , and any other documents required, to the Resume / CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page.

We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!

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