Assistant Director of Foundation Relations

Overview

Assistant Director of Foundation Relations

At Roger Williams University, students are prepared to be thinkers and doers ready to solve challenging problems with innovative solutions. RWU offers 50 majors and robust offerings of graduate and professional programs across eight schools of study including Rhode Island's only law school, with campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, R.I. With small classrooms and a focus on undergraduate and graduate research and community engagement, a Roger Williams education blends the strength of liberal arts and professional studies, providing all students with the depth and breadth of interdisciplinary thinking and well-rounded knowledge necessary to succeed in our interconnected, global world.

RWU is committed to strengthening society through engaged scholarship so that students graduate with the ability to think critically and apply the practical skills that today s employers demand.

Roger Williams University seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value all races, genders, identities, and abilities. RWU is committed to creating a thriving community that encourages lifelong learning, professional development, and academic innovation.

• Reporting to the Director of Foundation Relations, the Assistant Director of Foundation Relations is responsible for providing continued growth for foundation grant programs to secure complex grants, including four to five figure gifts. The Assistant Director works closely with administrators, program directors, clinicians, and primary investigators from Roger Williams, to raise vital funding for the University s priorities.
• Conduct thorough research to identify and assess new prospective funding sources, maintain up-to-date information on foundations, and prepare foundation profiles in preparation to present the findings to the appropriate groups across campus.
• Work within the donor database to record actions, update records, track deadlines, and ensure timely and accurate grant reporting communications.
• Manage an active portfolio of foundation prospects and maintain foundation interactions, including stewardship.
• Develop and execute ambitious growth plans to raise significant funding from existing and new institutional and private foundations both regionally and nationally.
• Research new and existing foundation sources to support funding priorities and new initiatives.
• Develop a broad and deep understanding of current fundraising priorities across campus, as outlined by the President, Provost, Vice President of Research and Academic and Research Deans.
• Work with faculty and fundraising colleagues across campus to develop proposal concepts that meet potential funders  and RWU s priorities, mission, and needs.
• Write, edit, and submit letters of intent and full proposals on behalf of the University, serving as the primary author in a team environment.
• Create compelling and competitive proposals through engaging in productive interactions with faculty and colleagues.
• Stewardship:
  Collaborate with Principal Investigators, Finance, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to produce and submit grant reports.
• Plan foundation visits, which may include senior academic, administrative, and volunteer leaders.
• Develop acknowledgement materials such as letters, press packages, and testimonials to communicate grant impact personalized to each funder.
• Additional Functions:
  Collaborate with campus partners on new faculty training related to grants and the Assistant Director s role in finding and securing grants, as well as additional outreach activities, and promoting foundation funding opportunities across campus.
• Organize foundation visits, which may include senior academic, administrative, and volunteer leaders.

• Bachelor s degree in a related field.
• Three to five years of professional experience in grant writing and fundraising or a similar content production environment such as journalism, communications, or publishing.
• Exceptional research and communication skills, both self-directed and within a team environment.
• Outstanding writing skills, with the ability to tailor a narrative to varying audiences.
• Superior creative problem solving and systems thinking to effectively match funding needs to opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate with campus partners on content development and represent the organization in conversation with potential funders.
• The ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• Knowledge of best practices in philanthropy, higher education, and non-profits.

• Track record of success in securing grants or proposals of $50k or above.
• Familiarity with RWU s programs and vision.
• Experience managing or supporting a prospect portfolio.
• Proficiency in basic graphic design and layout.

Roger Williams University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and…