Vice President of Philanthropy

UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INC. (UCI) is the community service corporation responsible for developing, serving and advocating for University Circle as a vibrant and complete neighborhood without borders. Residents and visitors come from around the world to enjoy the rich diversity of experiences found in this spectacular square mile. Since its founding, UCI has facilitated over $4 billion of new development through land-banking, developed over 2,000 housing units, positioned the Circle as a vital destination with over 3 million annual visitors, brought 1.5 million students to the area, generating $1.5 million in institutional admission fees and training 3000 teachers, developed numerous beautification projects, including Wade Oval, and coordinated long-term Circle planning projects such as Healthline and Opportunity Corridor.

It is one of the most successful real estate development initiatives in the region, and is home to over 8,000 residents.

Now working with 37 member organizations including the Cleveland Museum of Art, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University and The Cleveland Orchestra, UCI celebrates Cleveland as a four-season city with events including Parade the Circle & Circle Village, WOW! Wade Oval Wednesdays, Holiday Circle Fest and The Rink at Wade Oval, which draw visitors from nearby neighborhoods and throughout the region.

University Circle welcomes millions of visitors, workers, and lifelong learners. UCI’s Community Education Program was created in 1973 to bring the assets of the Circle to Cleveland school children. From pre-K to older adults, UCI’s community and education programs ensure that students in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio have access to University Circle’s cultural treasures.

The VP for Philanthropy will lead and provide strategic vision for all aspects of UCI’s fundraising activities and constituent relationships. As a member of the senior leadership team reporting to and working closely with the President, the VP for Philanthropy is responsible for leading the philanthropic team and developing and maintaining active and productive relationships with internal and external constituencies, including the Board of Trustees, all departments of the administrative staff, and friends and supporters of UCI.

The VP of Philanthropy will be responsible for designing and executing a multi-faceted, robust development strategy to meet UCI’s current and future resource challenges, integrating organization-wide resource needs and future priorities, and will be a highly visible presence in the Cleveland community.

UCI’s current budget of $10 million is supported by an endowment of approximately $25 million, as well as services and fees, the fundraising program, real estate and parking operations.

MAJOR

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Effective partner for the President, Board of Trustees, administration and key constituents to plan and execute a comprehensive, broad-based development plan building on UCI’s unique program and driven by the long and short-range resource needs of the organization.
• Work closely with the President, Board of Trustees and administration on institutional strategic planning and other activities that have an impact on the organization as a whole.
• Serve as a visible community spokesperson for UCI, develop relationships with member organizations in University Circle, and cultivate relationships with potential donors and new friends in the community.
• Set clear direction and priorities for the Philanthropy department. Recruit, lead, mentor and develop staff, and promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals. Foster a collaborative and communicative work environment for effective operations and a culture of excellence.
• Develop the analytical and reporting tools to drive a strategic and metrics focused institutional development function; deliver solid financial leadership to coordinate contributed income results with budgetary goals.
• Ensure diversity, equity and inclusion as foundational concepts in the philanthropic and organizational goals of the philanthropy department.
• Expand UCI’s philanthropic base beyond the traditional sources of…