Grant Development Associate

VISION:  Transform the university through the power of generosity.
MISSION:  Unite donor passions with university priorities to elevate the impact of Oklahoma State University.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:  We seek private support to enhance the mission of Oklahoma State University.
PRIMARY PURPOSE:  The individual in this position is responsible for the identification, qualification, and solicitations of private funds on behalf of the Corporate & Foundation Relations team in support of Oklahoma State University. This position partners with internal and external stakeholders throughout the discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages of corporate and foundation grants. They work closely with the CFR team to administer the pre-award and post-award processes.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:

 Prospect Research, Proposal Writing, & Solicitation – 60%

•  Serve as project manager and writer/editor, for approximately 40 corporate and foundation grant applications per year, working with OSUF staff and OSU faculty and staff, and communicating with partners at granting organizations as needed, to complete and submit high-quality applications that present the strongest case for funding.
• Researches and identifies new private funding sources for the benefit of OSU.
• Serve as OSUF liaison to OSU Central Sponsored Programs Administration, the Sponsored Programs offices in each college and campus, and the Grants and Contracts Administration, developing a strong, collegial relationship between the OSU research ecosystem and the OSU Foundation.
• Manage a portfolio of 20-30 corporate and (mainly) foundation donors and prospects, predominantly those foundations that work more through grant processes than through developing relationships.
• Provides coordination between CFR, Development Team Leads, Marketing, and faculty/staff on proposals.
• Utilizes research, review of online and archived information, OSUF databases, and information and materials from university personnel or outside sources to create personalized, persuasive fundraising proposals and applications in partnership with OSUF Development Officers, university grant writers and university marketing/communications staff.
• Writes with attention to the prospect’s interests using a mix of persuasive and personal story-telling techniques. Translates academic and scientific concepts into compelling proposals for a variety of audiences.
• Maintains a prospect portfolio of major gift prospects ($25,000 and greater). Responsible for contacting prospects and making solicitations annually to reach yearly fundraising goals for self and CFR Team.
• Maintains approved grants for the division including follow-on reporting requirements and associated deadlines. Maintains proposal attachments warehouse for CFR team and as a service to OSUF Development Officers.

Data Management & Compliance – 30%

• Learn and master the Customer Resource Management database (Salesforce); build, manage and maintain queries.
• Enter proposals for CFR Team to corporations and foundations into CRM while following guidelines.
• With the assistance of the CRA/Coordinator, monitor incoming gifts, deposit donations/open new fund accounts, return grant agreements, and ensure adherence to grant requirements including tracking/submitting all required reports.
• With the assistance of the CRA/Coordinator, ensure all donor correspondence, proposals, contact information and reports are recorded into OSU Foundation Central Files, RE and Outlook.
• Manage data acquisition and integrity within the CRM for CFR prospects and other corporate and foundation data; attend OSUF Record Committee meetings and similar meetings as needed.
• Manage Non-Foundation Grants process; receive data from OSU Grants & Contracts and work with CFR AVP to record charitable gifts in CRM as needed.

Other Activities - 10%

• Acquire a broad knowledge and understanding of projects, research, initiatives, and other funding needs, as well as building relationships with faculty and staff, in colleges, campuses, and institutes across the Oklahoma State University system.
• Responsible for submitting personal monthly purchasing card/expenditure reports and cash reimbursements.
• Responsible for developing an annual business plan and achieving set objectives annually.
• Assist in securing appointments internally or externally as needed for the CFR Team.
• Other projects and administrative duties as assigned.

Other duties as assigned.

JOB COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, required.

 
Experience:

• 1-3 years of professional experience required; experience in non-profit, stewardship or donor relations is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in private grant research, proposal writing, and grant application submissions desired.
• Experience using Foundation Directory Online, preferred.
• Strong communication skills (both written & verbal). Excellent business writing and technical writing abilities.  Advanced writing, editing, interviewing and research skills are necessary.
• Proficient in research, interpreting, and analyzing diverse data and demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively and independently to achieve goals.

Organizational Competencies:

• Effective Communication: Proactively ensures effective communication throughout the organization; makes relevant contributions to discussions and meetings, giving clear and concise explanations and sticking to the point; chooses language and communication method to suit the audience, reframes and articulates to help others understand; asks questions to check understanding when disseminating information
• Execution & Initiative: Motivates self and others to achieve the best results, displaying energy, drive and a desire to succeed; enlists the support of others as necessary to overcome resistance; supervises cross-functional project team execution on tasks to meet stated objectives; helps other employees’ gain the skills and experience they need to contribute; pro-actively outlines milestones, outcomes and deliverables and effectively communicates them to internal and external stakeholders
• Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Develops and nurtures formal & informal relationships with a wide circle of people beyond those involved in current activities, including potential donors, stakeholders, and information links; encourages collaboration among colleagues, departments and entire organization to achieve results; compromises, handles conflicts, seeks common ground, articulates own and others goals; stays focused on positive win-win outcomes; seeks input on how to leverage existing processes to improve the donor experience; translates ideas into action
• Problem Solving/Judgment: Gains understanding of how to apply approved policies and procedures; when and why escalation of issues is needed and to whom and communicates decisions and desired outcomes to others; anticipates the outcome of  a single decision; recognizes problems in advance, systematically gathers information to define the root cause, breaks down complex information into component parts, develops alternatives, seeks input from others, selects and recommends the best solution
• Adaptability/Flexibility:  Embraces complex or first time problems as opportunities to learn and incorporate new skills; flexes style based on immediate needs; accepts responsibility for implementing change; evaluates and manages resources needed to implement change; personally supports (in words and actions) organizational direction and change agenda
• Courage & Conviction: Takes responsibility for individual & project outcomes regardless of success and learns from all results; encourages candid responses, feedback, new ideas and conflicting opinions
• Donor Centered: Takes time to actively learn about the stated needs by asking questions, exploring how to unite the donors and university’s passions and priorities; anticipates customer needs and proactively makes recommendations

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Must use a computer terminal and view a computer screen for extended periods of time.  Must talk in person or by phone (frequently and sometimes for extended periods) to people on campus and across the country.  Must constantly use visual acuity to check printed and designed materials of various types.  Must be able to navigate within the OSU Foundation. Typical office working conditions.