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Associate Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Woods Hole, Falmouth, MA, USA
Posted on Oct 10, 2024
Job Summary
WHOI has a strong history of fundraising from a broad base of supporters. Philanthropic giving from individuals, corporations, and foundations has been instrumental to advancing ocean research, technology and education. Private philanthropy has been an integral part of WHOI’s success since it was founded in 1930 with a $2.5M gift from the Rockefeller Foundation. Today, gifts from local, national and international donors continue to support WHOI’s mission and vision helping to unravel the mysteries of the ocean and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.With a collaborative 22-person development team, WHOI has been named a four-star charity by Charity Navigator for 12 consecutive years, a distinction achieved by only two percent of U.S. charities. Support for WHOI from donors reached $90M in 2023, and results are projected to exceed $65M in 2024.
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Assistant/Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations supports the efforts of the Development Office in securing financial support for WHOI’s research, education, and outreach programs from private philanthropic foundations.
As a key member of the Corporate and Foundation Relations team, the Assistant/Associate Director will manage a portfolio of foundation donors/prospects as the primary solicitor, help to identify new foundation prospects, develop, and implement fund-raising strategies, and work effectively and collaboratively with WHOI scientists and staff across all departments and with senior and mid-level administrators in the science departments, Grants and Contract Services, Controller’s Office, and others.
Keeping with the Institute's evolving strategic planning efforts, this role works with the Corporate and Foundation Relations Team, the Chief Development Officer, and Scientific Staff, to assist in the development of effective written fundraising material, aimed at articulating large-scale scientific endeavors, to inspiring potential corporate or foundation donors to the field of oceanography.
Job Description
Essential Functions & Duties
- Manages an active portfolio of approximately 100 foundation and corporation prospects with an annual revenue target of $2.5M-$5M. Responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private philanthropic foundations and corporations.
- Developing and implementing long-term and short-term fund-raising strategies that are aligned with WHOI’s mission.
- Working with the Corporate and Foundation Relations Team, the Chief Development Officer and other members of the Development and Advancement teams to develop effective communication materials that convey large-scale far-reaching endeavors.
- Provide support, as needed, to the Vice President for Advancement and Chief Marketing Officer as related to their CFR prospects/donors.
- Working closely with WHOI faculty and staff to coordinate and manage pre-solicitation meetings and correspondence, develop effective proposals, and maintain productive partnerships with donors.
- Conducting research to identify new foundation prospects, as well as to monitor ongoing and emerging opportunities with current foundation partners.
- Serving as primary contact within WHOI for all non-government foundation reporting requirements, working closely with science department Administrators, PIs and Grants and Contracts to meet all reporting deadlines and deliverables.
- Preparing letters for the President and Director to accompany proposal submissions and to thank foundations for grant commitments and payments.
- Preparing background information on foundation donors/prospects, to be included in briefing documents for the President, Director and others.
- Prepares complex financial reports to meet foundation-specific reporting requirements. Assists in preparing, editing, and proofing proposals, proposal budgets, reports, letters, briefing materials, and other documents such as institutional financial information and financial statements for external constituents. Requires familiarity with the specific guidelines dictated by the Institution and the grant makers.
- Prepares grant/contract/administrative reports and interfaces with WHOI scientists and staff, Institution offices and external agencies on behalf of those activities.
- Tracks financial status of Corporate and Foundation grants, keeping the PIs and department administrators abreast of over- or under-spending concerning project end dates.
- Responsible for maintaining accurate calendars of proposal deadlines as well as narrative and financial reporting deadlines and deliverables. This includes determining the internal and external deadlines, contacting the appropriate individuals both internally and externally, and obtaining the necessary documents to meet those deadlines.
- Schedules and gives tours of the Institution as needed (labs, dock, ships, coordinating with scientists and Development Office).
- Assists with coordinating select Development publications and reporting pieces for donors (including working with WHOI Graphics, vendors, printers).
- Assists with donor events (may require weekend and evening work).
- Assists with projects outside the scope of CFR when necessary.
- Provide training and support to administrative staff, as related to CFR work.
- Handles and maintains confidential materials and always practices discretion.
- All other duties as assigned by supervisors.
Required Experience & Education
- Bachelor's degree
- 3+ years' fundraising, or related, experience
- Track record of success raising funds from foundations
- Demonstrated experience in researching, identifying and qualifying potential CFR donors
- In-depth knowledge of the principles of fundraising.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated writing and editing skills in the preparation of proposals, reports and correspondence
- Demonstrated skill in identifying the needs of different audiences and tailoring communications and personal interactions to the specific audience targeted.
- Demonstrated record of consistently meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to work as a team player, exercise discretion and good judgment.
- Must have strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Must be articulate, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and the ability to think strategically.
- Evidence of self-motivation and the ability to work both autonomously and in team settings.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to read and evaluate non-profit financial reporting statements.
- Ability to handle multiple assignments and change priorities as circumstances dictate.
- Willingness to gain knowledge about the field of ocean sciences on an on-going basis.
Preferred Experience & Education
- Experience working in an academic research setting and a demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with faculty, senior administrators, staff, and external constituencies.
- Ability to translate complex scientific information into accessible and interesting text. Tact in working with scientists to modifying their writing for various lay audiences.
- Proficient at using Development Office software (Raiser’s Edge, WHOIgrants, Adobe products, Microsoft Office, FoundationSearch, iWave, Lexis-Nexis, database logic and general internet research.
Additional Job Requirements
Physical Requirements
Lifting/carrying less than 25lbs; carry up to 10lbs
Moderately sedentary
Sea Duty
N/A
Travel
Occasional travel to donor events/meetings
<25% travel
Work Authorization/Security Clearance
N/A
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.