Address
Form of workJob Title: Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager
Organization: Alliance for Education
Classification: Regular, Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer, Alliance for Education
Classification: Regular, Full-time, Exempt
Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer, Alliance for Education
Location: Hybrid
**The Alliance is a flexible workplace. This role will have some in-office and on-location work required; the person in this role will also be able to do some of their work remotely.**
Application Instructions
For the best consideration, please submit your resume and writing sample through our online portal by January 31, 2024. Any applications received through other means may not be considered. The writing sample, based on your choice, will be considered as part of the application, with a preference for content related to fundraising. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
About the Alliance
The Alliance for Education is an independent, non-profit organization committed to advancing educational justice and racial equity for students in Seattle Public Schools (SPS) with the mission to support excellence in education by advancing educational justice and racial equity for students in SPS. The organization’s vision is of a deeply invested community that collectively ensures all students in Seattle Public Schools experience a sense of belonging, receive an excellent and equitable education, and reach their fullest potential. The Alliance for Education was established 25 years ago to engage the broader community on behalf of Seattle Public School students, and has consistently convened stakeholders, raised dollars, and created innovative programs designed to support student success.
We Encourage You to Apply
At the Alliance for Education, we know that a diverse and inclusive workforce makes us a better, more effective, more equitable organization. As we strive continually to be that organization, we encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply for this role.
Studies have shown that Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, trans, & non-binary folks are less likely to apply for positions unless they believe they meet every single qualification as described in a position description. We recognize that qualified candidates can have backgrounds less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.
Position Summary
The Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) Manager is a key frontline fundraising member of the Advancement Team. This position plays a critical role in helping the Alliance achieve its ambitious impact goals by securing foundation and corporate funders. In conjunction with the Chief Advancement Officer, the CFR Manager assists in the creation of strategic plans for annual institutional funding. The position researches and identifies Corporate and Foundation prospects; cultivates and deepens relationships with current funders, writes and edits compelling proposals and reports that convey the goals and mission of the Alliance; and manages all deadlines and communications relating to grants and sponsorships. The CFR Manager is also responsible for developing corporate sponsorships to support the Alliance’s impact in our community. The CFR Manager reports to the Chief Advancement Officer and works closely with staff across the organization to collect data for grant-funded programs, to understand organizational budgets and to identify current funding priorities within the organization.
Critical Job Functions
The following describe the critical functions of the role, but do not provide an extensive list of job responsibilities and duties.
Strategic Thinking and Research
- Identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of private foundations and corporate partners.
- Help develop, implement, and evaluate an annual fundraising plan in conjunction with the Advancement team.
- Set short-term and long-term goals for grant management with comprehensive plans for accomplishment.
- Research and identify strong funding prospects with giving capacity and alignment with the Alliance for Education mission.
- Analyze market and competition, identify external challenges and opportunities.
- Work with program staff to develop logic models to support proposals, and to identify and analyze data sets that serve as compelling rationale for impact.
Foundation Relations
- Raise philanthropic support from private foundations and organizations.
- Work closely with Alliance staff to establish and help facilitate overall solicitation strategies to match grant opportunities with organizational priorities.
- Provide informed guidance to foundation leadership for best thematic match between grant-making organizations, encouraging strategies for successful solicitations.
- Develop proposals and provide editing, proofreading and critical thinking skills to those involved in securing major gifts.
- Research potential foundation funders as appropriate.
- Develop relationships with program staff at foundations as appropriate to each project.
- Design, organize and lead site visits for program staff from major grant-making organizations.
- Submit progress reports on major grant-funded activity generated.
- Develop and carry out sequential moves management steps to cultivate existing funder relationships.
- Coordinate and prioritize relationships based on communication and available data.
Corporate Relations
- Secure new sponsorship underwriting by identifying prospects, researching, qualifying, approaching, and soliciting to secure support. Adhere to steps of the fundraising cycle and best practices to move relationships through the process.
- Field calls from businesses interested in getting involved with our organization and follow up to secure support.
- Increase the exposure and understanding of the Alliance within our community by making in person visits, speaking to stakeholders over the phone and virtually to develop relationships and secure new support.
- Submit proposals with an action plan to gain support.
- Complete monthly activity reports to demonstrate goal achievements.
- Work with team members to ensure that quality work is being performed and deadlines are being met.
- Represent the organization at community and networking events.
- Collaborate with management and staff to set goals and determine organizational needs.
- Document all sponsorships and complete all necessary paperwork for accounting and operational fulfillment.
- Maintain excellent relationships with existing account base and expand relationships where possible.
- Ensure fulfillment and delivery of all deliverables.
Writing
- Research, write and prepare grant proposals, reports, letters of inquiry and sponsorship requests, persuasively communicating goals, mission and programs to potential funders.
- Maintain a strong understanding of funding priorities for the Alliance and communicate appropriately.
- Provide writing support for other development efforts, including acknowledgements, stewardship and cultivation as needed.
Grant Management
- Maintain and implement detailed calendar of pending requests, future proposals and report deadlines.
- Manage and analyze program data for grant proposals, working closely with internal teams to ensure accuracy of materials incorporated.
- Track annual gifts and funder communication.
- Work closely with the AFE Finance team to support sub-grants tracking and benchmarks.
Skills and Qualifications
- 3-5 years of professional experience preferably in grant writing/coordination, nonprofit development and/or research
- Experience soliciting and working with corporations and Foundations
- Proven track record of grant and proposal acceptance
- Strong ability to write and edit persuasive materials
- Exceptional skills in prioritizing projects and time management, ability to meet deadlines under pressure
- Strong track record of building and cultivating relationships and closing gifts with current donors
- Ability to translate program data into concise, compelling, mission-centered narratives
- Understanding of budgets and ability to understand organization’s finances and financial systems
- Strong foundation in race-equity principles and ability to convey concept in writing and reporting
- Warmth and professionalism needed to successfully communicate with potential and repeat funders
- Team player prepared to work collaboratively with other members of the Alliance staff
- A strong passion for education and youth
- Experience working in education and in diverse work environments
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- Demonstrated computer skills; expertise with MS Office suite, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel strongly preferred.
The Alliance for Education is affiliated with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. Staff members of the Alliance are officially employees of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and participate in Chamber benefit plans, but do not report to Chamber staff. The Chamber and Alliance for Education is committed to internal and market equity. The pay range for this position is $76,160 – $95,000 with an anticipated hiring range of $76,160 - $90,000 based on experience.
The Chamber provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including but not restricted to:
• Medical/dental/vision coverage
• Generous PTO policy
• Life Insurance
• Accidental death & dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employer-matched 401(k) Contribution up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid parental leave
• Wellspring EAP membership
• Personal accident insurance
• Generous holiday schedule and paid days off
• Chamber benefit info
We recognize the value of the Chamber and our affiliate organizations and programs reflecting the diversity of our community and are intentionally and actively seeking out applications from a variety of backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC).
The Chamber is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, and, if necessary, disciplined without regard to sex, race, religion, creed, caste, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology or activity, disability, honorably-discharged veteran or military status. All applicants are carefully screened, and full consideration is given to their training, education, skills, aptitudes, experience, and previous work record. In addition, the Chamber does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program.
