Corporate Foundation Relations Representative

Corporate and Foundation Relations Coordinator

Growing Home Inc. is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides job training for lowincome individuals in Chicago through organic agriculture. Our program provides experiential learning opportunities and employment in the horticulture field as well as a unique jobreadiness curriculum that helps reintroduce participants back into the workforce. Through our USDAcertified organic farms we also seek to provide healthy fresh food and food education to our neighbors in Englewood.

We offer a diverse energetic and missionfocused environment for our employees.

The Job

The Foundation & Corporate Giving Coordinator plays a pivotal role in generating revenue from foundations corporations businesses organizations and government entities to supports organizational priorities. This position collaborates with the Leadership Team on development planning accountability and informing fundraising goals. The Coordinator helps craft cultivation solicitation and stewardship strategies to grow revenue aligned with the organizations mission. Additional responsibilities include working closely with the Executive Director (ED) and Director of Operations and External Affairs (DOEA) to maintain a comprehensive database of communications and interactions with foundation and corporate partners and researching new opportunities for engagement.

Responsibilities

• Serves as grant writer for grant proposals and works with the Executive Director (ED) and Director of Operations and External Affairs (DOEA) on gift agreements for corporate and foundation prospects; coordinates proposal submissions with all associated campus staff and faculty. Complete all reports renewals LOI and requests for additional information.
• Oversees tracking and documentation of program outcome evaluation and client statistics for grant reports.
• Develop a strategy to encourage new or increased contributions as well as manage a stewardship program for all primary corporate and foundation contributors.
• Contact corporate representatives and maintain effective working relationships with various entities including media government officials community leaders funders community residents and partner organizations in an attempt to increase awareness of organizational cause activities and needs.
• Write complex documents such as case statements solicitation materials and prepare presentations to communicate fundraising.
• Write reports and prepare presentations to communicate fundraising program data.
• Solicit cash or inkind donations or sponsorships from individual business or government donors.
• Conduct research to identify the goals net worth charitable donation history or other data related to potential donors potential investors or general donor markets.
• Initiate maintain and lead prospect research efforts for funding opportunities from institutions.
• Develop fundraising activity plans that maximize participation or contributions and minimize costs. Develop or implement fundraising activities such as annual giving campaigns or direct mail programs.
• Establish fundraising or participation goals for special events or specified time periods
• Monitor progress of fundraising drives.
• Participate and support communications and marketing strategies to develop and implement the organizations public relations plan.
• Design or produce materials such as posters Web sites or newsletters to promote market or advertise fundraising events.
• Write speeches press releases or other promotional materials to increase awareness of the causes missions or goals of organizations seeking funds.
• As needed assist the Director of Operations and External Affairs in the planning and of the organizations annual benefit and other special events.
• Engagement (attend vendor fairs represent organization on panels and community task forces etc.
• All Development and Engagement staff are required to attend all events hosted by Growing Home Inc.s Development Department and or Engagement Department.
• All Development and Engagement Staff must be available to lead and assist with weekend engagement activities tours popups volunteer days etc.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in relevant field such as English Communications Journalism or Marketing
• At least three to five years of proven experience
• Exceptional time management problemsolving strong attention to detail and planning skills are essential
• Must be able to establish and maintain interpersonal relationships to enhance Growing Homes mission and vision
• Proven record of excellent oral and written communication skills and a good eye for design
• Strong research and analytical skills to effectively position Growing Home programs in written communications
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
• Professional computer skills proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite Google Suite proficiency in WordPress Constant Contact Canva or similar programs a plus
• Experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
• Experience using desktop publishing software
• Familiarity and experience with communications including social media
• Commitment to Growing Homes mission
• Ability to travel to and work from our program site at 5814 S. Wood St. an average of once a week or more as called upon

Required Experience:

Senior IC