Senior Director of Institutional Giving (Private and Corporate Foundations

Job Details

The Senior Director Institutional Giving is a mission-driven, strategic leader responsible for overseeing all aspects of institutional giving at URI—including corporate partnerships, private foundations, and government grant strategy in collaboration with the Senior Vice President and the Vice President of Development. Reporting to the Senior Vice President this role leads a growing team of professionals, including the Director of Institutional Giving, Development Manager, and contract Grant Writers.

The Senior Director will drive and scale a comprehensive institutional fundraising program that fuels URI’s growth and impact. They will oversee relationship strategies, proposal pipelines, stewardship practices, and cross-department collaboration to secure sustainable revenue from a diverse and expanding base of funders. This is a highly collaborative leadership role that requires excellent team management, superior writing and strategy skills, and a deep commitment to URI’s mission, vision and values.

• Supervise and support the Institutional Giving team, the Grant Writers, and contracted Grant Writers.
• Collaborate in setting annual fundraising goals and KPIs for institutional giving team members and support their growth through coaching and professional development.
• Ensure efficient coordination across institutional team members, maintaining consistent systems for prospect research, proposal tracking, reporting, and funder stewardship.

• Lead the development and execution of URI’s institutional giving strategy, securing funding for general operating support and key programs including (URI’s Justice Initiatives and Residential programs).
• Manage a high-priority portfolio of foundation and corporate funders and prospects, serving as the relationship lead or supporting Executive/Board engagement.
• Oversee strategy for corporate employee engagement, sponsorship, matching gifts, and marketing campaigns.
• Partner with the SVP of Development and VP to develop a multi-year growth strategy for institutional fundraising and a more diversified funding base.

• Oversee systems for timely, high-quality proposals and reports, including narrative development, budget alignment, and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Provide quality control and editorial support to proposals prepared by staff and consultants.
• Guide the process of identifying funding opportunities aligned with URI’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Maintain a calendar of deadlines and ensure timely submissions and acknowledgements.
• Write LOIs and proposals as needed if gaps in contracted or team capabilities arise.

• Partner closely with Programs and Finance to align funding proposals with program design, outcomes, and strategic communications.
• Partner with Executive Leadership and Programs to ensure coordination and prep for donor meetings.
• Coordinate with Programs to develop internal communications and orientation relevant to institutional partnerships and grants compliance.

• Ensure meaningful and tailored stewardship plans for institutional partners, including site visits, recognition, and communications aligned with grant requirements.
• Work with Mar Comm to develop web, print, and digital content that highlights URI’s partnerships with corporate and foundation funders.

• Manage contracts and scope of work for contracted grant writers and consultants.
• Provide strategic guidance, quality assurance, and alignment to organizational priorities (oversight is not day-to-day project management).

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit institutional fundraising, including foundations and corporate giving.
• At least 2 years in a supervisory or senior-level development role, with demonstrated success leading high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of New York’s philanthropic landscape…