Prospect Research Coordinator, Foundation Relations

Overview

Prospect Research Coordinator, Foundation Relations. Posting #5557. Department:
Prospect Research Coordinator, Foundation Relations;
University Advancement.

The Foundation Relations department serves as the university's central clearing house for all foundation interaction, including site visits, proposal tracking, foundation research, approach clearance and coordination.

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity s urgent challenges.

The prospect research coordinator is responsible for conducting sophisticated data analysis, prospect identification, in-depth research, and tracking on external foundation, corporate, and government funders to expand revenue generating opportunities for the university. Through careful investigation and proper vetting of potential and current funders, this position offers strategic guidance for successful fundraising approaches. On behalf of the Office of Foundation Relations this position coordinates logistics for site visits and assists with approach clearance for and coordination of foundation interactions.

This position ensures all grant opportunities, donor records, and stewardship data are accurately maintained in the CRM system. The prospect research coordinator updates and maintains the department s website and serves as the primary receptionist for the suite, creating and maintaining a professional and welcoming environment. This position will also support donor engagement, stewardship, and recognition events as well as other divisional events including but not limited to Ole Weekend, Homecoming and Family Weekend, and Commencement, as needed.

• Foundation Research and Analysis
  • Perform in-depth research on potential funding for university programs and priorities by charitable foundations, corporations, and government agencies using research tools including but not limited to Candid, Grant Forward, Grants.gov, and Grants Intelligence Service.
  • Prepare analyses of funding potential using financial data, assets, previous giving, and other criteria.
  • Develop strategic approaches to funding opportunities and eliminate prospects with unmet restrictions or insufficient capacity.
  • Provide detailed research reports to development officers, requesting faculty, the Offices of the President and Vice President for University Advancement, and other university leadership.
  • Adhere to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of both the university and the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).
  • Continually improve research skills through an awareness of changes in resources and technologies.
• Data and Workflow Management
  • Manage and adjust office workflow in an environment with continually shifting priorities for maximum efficiency; ensure deadlines are met on a daily basis.
  • Coordinate grant research, deadlines, application submissions, payments, and reports in Affinaquest (a Salesforce-based CRM) and/or other data management and workflow software.
  • Track and manage requests for research, dissemination of results, and next steps to take on grant application opportunities.
  • Ensure compliance with foundation guidelines and terms of grant agreements.
  • Coordinate application and reporting processes with USD s Office of Sponsored Programs to ensure that tasks associated with government grants and foundation gifts are accurately tracked by Advancement Services.
  • Gather and maintain up-to-date institutional information, statistics, documents, certificates, and forms needed for grant applications and reports.
  • Compile information for stewardship reports for foundation funders and foundation donor spotlights and create unique content for internal and external communications.
• Administrative and Event/Project Support
  • Provide reception duties for the suite; maintain professional physical appearance of work space, reception area, and storage areas; inventory and purchase office supplies and stewardship gifts.
  • Support donor engagement, stewardship, and recognition events as well as other divisional events included but not limited to Ole Weekend, Homecoming and Family Weekend, and Commencement, as needed.
  • Accurately process gifts received in accordance with Advancement Services and Accounting procedures.
  • Coordinate incoming and outgoing correspondence with foundations and donors; respond to general office correspondence including emails to foundationrelations; sort and deliver mail.
  • Maintain and update content, interactive links, and…