Development Officer and Grant Writer

Development Officer & Grant Writer (Development Officer I)

The Development Officer and Grant Writer for the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art (NEHMA) is a hybrid fundraising, grant development, and donor relations position that works closely with private and public grant sources, museum members, individual, corporate, and foundation donors to maximize the philanthropic and grant revenue for the museum. The Development Officer and Grant Writer reports to the museum’s Executive Director, and works closely with the Office of Advancement’s Executive Director of Corporation and Foundation Engagement.

The role is responsible for grant writing and reporting, managing the membership program, supporting fundraising events, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors, and ensuring compliance with USU Advancement policies. Some evenings, weekends, and travel to key markets and regions are required for special events and donor stewardship.

Moving allowance provided.

This position is eligible for hybrid telework within the state of Utah.

The Development Officer and Grant Writer coordinates all museum fundraising activities with the USU Advancement staff and Office of Sponsored Programs to ensure non-duplicative approaches to grants and donors. Planning annual goals, donor qualification, cultivation and solicitation strategy, and guiding collaborative projects across the university are key components of this role. The officer creates grants and manages all aspects of museum grants from start to finish, using USU programs such as Kuali.

Fostering and maintaining strong relationships between the museum and its members, board members, donors, grant sources, the public, and across campus is a primary responsibility. These relationships include local and state governments, other museums, and related organizations. The officer attends monthly meetings with the Advancement stewardship team to align efforts.

The officer plans, executes, and supports fundraising activities that promote the museum’s programs and funding needs. Activities include qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual, corporate, foundation, and government sources. The officer manages relationships, makes funding solicitations, and generates proposals as needed.

Managing a growing membership program to provide engagement with the museum and develop future supporters. Tasks include finding new members, managing communications, tracking engagement, and working with senior staff to develop unique opportunities and events for members and donors.

The officer is a member of the University Advancement Team, continually developing and demonstrating strong leadership and collaboration skills, working with constituents, university colleagues, and the public. The USU Advancement Office provides onboarding, training, leadership development, and professional development opportunities to support career growth and leadership opportunities.

• Four years of direct fundraising experience and/or grant writing at a university, non-profit, or equivalent level, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Willingness and ability to travel.

• Experience in grant writing.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience designing and executing comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Record of success in establishing positive relationships with donors, foundations, alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as analytical and research skills.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the use of information technology to support advancement programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly with donors, volunteers, and staff members from different backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (students, alumni, faculty, staff)…