Director of Foundation Relations and Grants

Position Title: Director of Foundation Relations and Grants

Reports to: Vice President for Advancement

Status: Full-time, exempt

Salary: $65,000 annual salary, plus generous PTO and benefits package

Grade Level: Level 13

Organization Overview: Neighborhood House believes that communities and neighborhoods thrive when families have the opportunity to build safe, stable, and rewarding lives. That is why, for 127 years, Neighborhood House has been working alongside families to ensure that they have access to food and housing for their basic needs and education opportunities to help them achieve their dreams and goals. Today, we serve more than 15,000 people through our integrated programs.

Program Summary: The Director of Foundation Relations and Grants will be a member of our Advancement Team. Neighborhood House has a staff of nearly 70 people, 13 of them on the Advancement team. We are a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about our work and the families and neighborhoods we serve. We like to roll up our sleeves and collaborate in our attempt to solve big problems. We believe that innovation and risk lead to learning and success.

Who You Are: You care deeply about our community and the families who participate in programs at Neighborhood House, holding them in the center of all that you do. You like to find solutions to problems, you are resourceful and curious, and enjoy interacting with people. You are a skilled and experienced grant writer who can transform program activities into compelling grant proposals. You are both goal and deadline-driven and succeed in a fast-paced setting. You enjoy working collaboratively in a team and thrive working independently. You lead with humor, compassion, and a can-do attitude.

Position Summary: The Director of Foundation Relations and Grants is an important member of the fundraising team, responsible for overseeing all activities associated with securing funding from corporate and private foundations as well as government contracts and the United Way. The Director will manage their own portfolio of funders, manage a team of on-staff and contract grant writers, and partner with program directors and staff to ensure funding needs for programs are met. Additionally, the Director will play an important role in Hope in Action, the Campaign for Neighborhood House, which is launching its public phase in mid-2025. The Director of Foundation Relations and Grants will contribute to the success of Neighborhood House’s fundraising efforts by driving the strategy for corporate and foundation support.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate effectively across the agency to identify needs, and to develop clear, compelling, and accurate proposal narratives that meet funder guidelines and contribute to fundraising goals for the organization;
• Proven track record of advocating for equitable funding practices that support marginalized communities, with a focus on immigrants, refugees, and individuals living in poverty. Experience in crafting proposals that incorporate DEI principles, ensuring alignment with funders' goals of promoting social justice and addressing systemic inequities. Manage the grants team that includes one on-staff grant writer and a contract writer;
• Ensure that a strong process of grant preparation and submission is in place, well-communicated, and regularly reviewed; oversee these processes;
• Partner with the Vice President of Advancement, the President, the Campaign Team, and the Finance team, to identify potential corporate and foundation campaign funders; lead the development of strategy for engaging funders in the future plans of Neighborhood House; and write compelling narratives that lead to successful proposals in support of Campaign initiatives;
• Build strong relationships with foundation and corporate program officers;
• Enlarge the circle of prospective funders through research, networking, internal and external outreach to build the capacity of the agency;
• Effectively manage ambiguity and respond to changing resource development needs;
• Plan and coordinate site visits;
• Assist with budget preparation;
• Maintain confidentiality of program participants in accordance with data privacy laws, standards and policies;
• Perform all work in accordance with Neighborhood House policies and procedures;
• Track all proposals in Excel and Raiser’s Edge;
• Attend and participate in departmental, agency and external meetings, trainings, committees and events, as required.

Qualifications:

• 2-3 years grant writing experience, preferably in a multi-service agency
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English
• Excellent problem-solving, time-management, and organizational skills to meet tight deadlines
• Highly detail-oriented with strong interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills and prospect research experience
• Demonstrated ability to lead, write, and coordinate government grants (county, state or federal)
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work hybrid (comfortable with Zoom, email, Teams, etc.)

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or social work
• Prior supervisory and management experience
• Budget development experience
• Raiser’s Edge database experience

Diversity: Do you not meet every requirement listed in this job description? Do you think your experience level is not where it needs to be? Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification. Neighborhood House is focused on building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. If you're interested in this position but your past experience doesn't line up perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we want you to apply anyway. The right role for you may be right around the corner.

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Neighborhood House is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. The Neighborhood House provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other status protected by law.