Company Overview
At Children’s Institute, we work to improve the lives of children from prenatal to grade 5 who experience institutional or systemic barriers to opportunity in Oregon: children from low-income families, children of color, disabled children, dual language learners, and children in rural areas. Our research, policy and advocacy, learning initiatives, and community partnerships all aim to keep kids healthy and safe and prepare them to be active, engaged learners.
Children’s Institute has always worked passionately to improve outcomes for Oregon’s kids. Through our work, we have to grapple with a difficult truth: many policies and practices designed to address economic inequity do not meet the needs of children of color and children living in rural communities. We’re committed to shifting these systems and center justice in our pursuit of an equitable Oregon where all children have the love, care, and education they need. And we invite you to join us.
About the Position
The Major Gifts & Grants Manager reports to the Chief Resource and Innovation Officer and operates as an individual contributor (no direct reports. They work collaboratively with other members of the development team, and have strong partnerships across the organization. The Major Gift & Grants Manager will execute major donor and foundation efforts - collaboratively setting strategies to increase revenue from individual donors and through grants. Their main objective will be to building long-term relationships with funders, donors, and investors; and securing significant financial support to advance the mission of Children’s Institute.
Job Duties:
Strategic Fundraising
- Create a plan to increase major donor support, multi-year donations, planned giving, and grant requests
- Ensure a strong and collaborative relationship between development and communications teams
- Partner in the creation and monitoring of performance metrics geared toward monitoring CI’s fund development efforts, ensuring that they are in alignment with CI’s advocacy and programming needs
- Ensure the accurate and thorough maintenance of donor and prospective donor records, gift management systems, and informational reports
- Develop a system of communication internally to ensure that key staff, the Board Investment Committee, and partners are actively engaged in fundraising efforts
Grant Management
- Develop and write grant proposals that elevate a cogent and emotionally compelling articulation of CI’s case for support.
- Identify new revenue sources aligned with CI’s mission and values by researching grant opportunities with a responsibility to evaluate, recommend, develop, and implement a stewardship plan for proposed or potential funding opportunities.
- Collaborate with internal teams to identify funding needs and opportunities, develop competitive proposals, ensure compliance, submit reports, and maintain funder relationships.
- Work across teams to gather stories of impact and identify key messaging that uplifts the work and resonates with foundation audiences.
- Manage grant calendar, deliverables, reporting, and documentation.
- Collaborate with the Development Team on using the Every Action CRM tool, including tracking foundation relationships, prospecting, gift tracking, and acknowledgments.
- Work collaboratively with development, communications, and programmatic teams to inform, nurture, and cultivate strong and effective fundraising relationships and messaging.
- Provide grant management and coordination for the Early Childhood Equity Collaborative (ECEC), including sharing grant opportunities, project managing the proposal and reporting processes, reviewing and editing documents as necessary, and serving as point of contact for CI with the ECEC Coordinator.
- As a member of the Development Team, support all aspects of Children’s Institute fundraising, including events, diversification of revenue, and movement building.
Major Gifts
- Cultivate and meet with potential major donors and prospects to learn about their philanthropic goals and connect each person to CI in a meaningful way that will result in sustainable income.
- Develop a legacy/planned giving strategy for CI. Implement a variety of top-level fund-raising activities, including charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, bequests, etc. Utilizes knowledge and experience to align organizational needs with donor goals and opportunities.
- Create and implement solicitation strategy, prospect research, and portfolio management systems.
- Work closely with communications and other team members to develop compelling cases for support and messaging.
- Grow the donor community through activities that focus on the re-engagement of lapsed donors and cultivation of prospective donors.
- Support donor events - informed by your portfolio knowledge and relationships and prospect practice.
Support Organizational Leadership
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify funding needs, develop proposals, ensure compliance, and submit reports.
- Work in tandem with the Chief Resource & Innovation Officer to engage current board members in developing and enhancing a strengthened fundraising culture that helps to move CI’s mission forward.
- Coach and provide strategic support to board members and CEO in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting charitable investments.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support all aspects of Children’s Institute fundraising including events, individual giving, and campaigns.
- Leadership and support of diversity, equity, and inclusion internally and externally. Align practices with Community Centered Fundraising principles.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Five or more years of fundraising experience including grant management and donor solicitation
- Mission-driven individual that is committed to the success of children statewide
- Proven track record of implementing high-quality and high-impact donor stewardship
- A demonstrated track record of success in leadership and fundraising with experience in grant-funded organizations preferred
- An understanding of the nature and dimensions of philanthropy, ethics, motivations for giving and volunteering
- Ability to develop relationships with local, regional, and national foundations and understand their priorities
- Proven track record in donor research and cultivation practices
- Demonstrated experience and confidence in connecting a mission to donor investments and asking people to contribute time and money to advance an organization’s work
- Experience in development office functions, including gift processing, prospect and donor histories, and fundraising reporting in partnership with office support staff
- Ability to work with and build trust across teams to gather information, share stories, solicit feedback, and accurately share their work with foundations and outside organizations.
- Ability to meet (virtually or in-person) to build external relationships and/or support CEO, board members with direct asks.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality
- Proficiency with MS Office, , Asana, Canva, and Every Action, or other CRM systems, preferred.
- Valid Oregon Driver’s license, ability to travel around the state to meet with donors and stakeholders
*A note on qualifications: Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
Physical and Sensory Requirements
- Mostly sedentary work; using standard office equipment including: a computer, keyboard, and telephone.
- Hybrid expectations: 3 days onsite at our downtown Portland office.
- Occasional travel across Oregon to meet with donors and stakeholders.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email Cynthia.chand-hopkins@childinst.org.
Salary & Benefits
- Starting salary range: $90,000 - $95,000
- Employer fully paid medical/dental coverage
- Employer fully paid long-term disability coverage
- Employer fully paid life insurance, accidental death, and employee assistance plan
- 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with qualified match and contribution
- 125 Flexible Benefits Plan
- Commuter stipend
- Cell phone stipend
- Professional Development Stipend
- 25 days of PTO annually
- 12 paid holidays
- Annual office closures the week of July 4th and last week of the year
- Employee Assistance Program