Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships

Think Small, Minnesota's leader in early learning, is dedicated to advancing early childhood care and education. We are still committed to the principles that gave rise to our organization 50 years ago - that the quality of a child's early experiences greatly influences his or her success later in life and there is much that can be done to improve the quality of early childhood settings to optimize a child's development.

The Director of Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships will lead the development and implementation of multi-year fundraising and revenue strategies to support growth, sustainability, innovation, and impact. Building upon a solid foundation of funding, this position will spearhead the next stage of strategic relationships and fundraising efforts. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, this position will raise philanthropic gifts and grants from national and regional foundations, corporations, individuals/Donor Advised Funds, and government sources. The Director will also work in close coordination with the marketing, finance, and data teams to ensure strong alignment between core functions at Think Small.

Responsibilities

Strategy

• Execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to build and maintain relationships with foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Increase, strengthen, and diversify funding sources to support strategic initiatives.
• Develop and secure $50,000-$1M+, multi-year grants. Lead the development of new fundraising sources, including high net worth individuals who can champion Think Small’s work.
• Partner with and support the Executive Leadership Team to set and achieve strategic and financial goals for long-term sustainability.
• Develop a deep understanding of Think Small’s mission, programs, and funding needs to articulate them effectively.
• Maintain an understanding of philanthropic giving industry trends, current events, competitive offerings, funding sources, and notable developments through professional publications, research, and participation in professional organizations.
• Spearhead the launch of a comprehensive engagement program for institutional donors and donor advised fund managers, driving strategic outreach, and personalized relationship-building to boost philanthropic partnerships and revenue.
• Ensure alignment with the marketing team to integrate Think Small’s brand and messaging framework of fundraising and partnership initiatives, supporting donor awareness, education, and stewardship through consistent, strategic messaging.

Grants

• Work with the contract grant writer to guide strategic positioning and proposal development.
• Approve all grant proposals and ensure deadlines for submissions and progress reports are met.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for institutional funding inquiries and materials, including letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and stewardship reports.
• Ensure accurate and timely grant compliance and reporting.

Relationships

• Oversee foundation and corporate partnerships.
• Maintain strong relationships with current institutional funders while identifying and securing new funding opportunities.
• Maintain a donor portfolio of $50,000-$1M+ donors and prospects, emphasizing increasing institutional grants and Donor Advised Fund donations.
• Use asset-framing and compelling storytelling to make the case for supporting Think Small.
• Represent Think Small at funder meetings, special events, speaking engagements, and other events to build awareness and foster relationships.

Operations and Data

• Ensure donor data, contributions, and communications are properly maintained in the organization's donor database.
• Lead the monthly reconciliation of contributions with the finance department.
• Prepare and present development reports and analysis.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of successful nonprofit fundraising experience, including building institutional and individual prospect pools, cultivating donor relationships, and closing gifts in the six-figure and above range.
• 3+ years of experience working with foundation executives and program officers.
• A strong understanding of institutional fundraising best practices, with major donor fundraising experience preferred.
• Superb relationship management, interpersonal, and communication skills, including the ability to inspire and hold accountable diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• National grant writing experience strongly preferred.
• Strong project management skills.
• A forward-looking mindset actively seeking opportunities, proposing solutions, and adapting to change.
• Ability to balance independent work with cross-functional work in a dynamic environment.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office (Dynamics, Excel, Word, and Outlook).

This position is available immediately.

Additional Information

This position will have a hybrid work schedule with a mix of on-site and work-from-home days. Wednesday and Thursday on-site days in our Saint Paul office are required.

Travel Requirements

This position requires significant travel, especially within the Twin Cities metro area to meet with institutional partners, current and prospective donors, and attend community events. Reliable transportation is essential, and mileage reimbursement is provided in accordance with company policy.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $95,000-$105,000.

• Hourly Compensation: The salary range for this position is $95,000-$105,000, based on experience and educational background.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: Enjoy a flexible work-life balance with a combination of on-site and remote work days.
• Comprehensive Insurance Options: Access a full range of coverage, including medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life, pet, critical illness, and long-term care insurance.
• Flexible Spending & Savings Accounts: Benefit from options like Medical and Dependent Care FSA, Health Savings Account (HSA), and legal/ID protection plans.
• Retirement Savings: Save for your future with pre-tax and ROTH 401(k) plans, plus an employer match to support your long-term goals.

Paid Time Off & Additional Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 23 days of sick/vacation time earned in your first year.
• Holiday Time: 8 scheduled company holidays, plus 5 floating holidays for added flexibility.
• Paid Parental Leave: 6 weeks of paid leave to support you during significant life events.
• Paid Lunch Breaks
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligibility: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Think Small is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, helping employees with federal student loans reduce their balance after qualifying service. Learn More.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential resources and counseling services available to support your mental health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

Application Process: If you are a mission-driven Scholarship Support Specialist ready to make an impact in the early childhood education sector, we encourage you to apply for this opportunity. Think Small is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Join us in our mission to make a difference in the community and the lives of young children. If you have a passion and desire to drive organizational success, we encourage you to apply.

At Think Small, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We seek candidates who are passionate about learning, growing, and contributing to a culture of equity and belonging. If you’re eager to make an impact and expand your understanding of DEIB, we encourage you to apply and join us in our mission.

Think Small is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action