Development Manager

Columbia College; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia College in Columbia, SC seeks aDevelopment Manager for Corporate & Foundation Relations to secure philanthropic support from corporations, foundations, and other institutional partners. You will manage a portfolio of funders, craft proposals, and steward donors to advance the College’s mission and priorities.

The role requires collaboration across campus with faculty and staff, rigorous attention to deadlines, and strong writing and relationship-building skills to build enduring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3+ years fundraising or grant writing experience.
• Strong writing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate and foundation funders.
• Develop proposals and grant applications aligned with institutional priorities.
• Coordinate donor reporting and grant outcomes with communications teams.
• Manage a portfolio of institutional funders and track progress in CRM.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop fundable projects and sponsorships.

Skills

Strong writing & relationship-building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Location: Columbia College - Columbia, SC 29203

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 Salary

JOB SUMMARY

The Development Manager for Corporate & Foundation Relations is responsible for securing philanthropic support from corporations, foundations, and other institutional partners to advance Columbia College’s mission, programs, scholarships, and strategic priorities. The role manages a portfolio of funders, develops proposals, stewards donors, and collaborates across campus.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Corporate & Foundation Fundraising
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate and foundation prospects.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key donors, alumni, and volunteers to identify prospects, gather intelligence, encourage ongoing support and engagement.
  • Develop proposals and grant applications supporting institutional priorities.
  • Support sponsorship solicitations for sporting events and community festivals.
  • Manage a portfolio of institutional funders.
• Strategic Planning & Research
  • Conduct research to identify new funding opportunities.
  • Track philanthropic trends to inform strategy.
  • Collaborate with faculty and administrators to align funding with priorities.
• Proposal Development & Reporting
  • Create compelling proposals and grant reports.
  • Collaborate with marketing and communications to create compelling partnership collateral.
  • Maintain calendars for deadlines and deliverables.
  • Ensure donor reporting reflects measurable impact.
• Donor Stewardship & Partnership Management
  • Implement stewardship plans.
  • Coordinate site visits, recognition, and engagement.
  • Utilize CRM to track prospect and donor interactions accurately.
  • Establishes and tracks performance indicators and adjusts strategies as needed to meet fundraising goals.
  • Works with Director of Advancement Services to effectively track campaigns, proposals, appeals and contributions within our CRM - Raiser’s Edge NXT.
  • Support the Director of Annual Giving & Stewardship in the production and management of stewardship activities, communications, and giving societies.
• Collaboration & Campus Engagement
  • Partner with faculty and staff to develop fundable projects and proposals.
  • Work with career services, student recruitment. athletics and other units within the College to strengthen corporate partnerships throughout the College.
  • Support events that highlight corporate and foundation philanthropy.
  • Serve as liaison to community partnership projects across campus (when appropriate)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3+ years fundraising or grant writing experience.
• Strong writing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.

Columbia College is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.