Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving

SSP International. Inc.; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a detail-oriented Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving. In this pivotal role, you will leverage your expertise in donor research and data-driven decision-making to identify and cultivate new funding opportunities. You will collaborate closely with leadership to manage a comprehensive institutional giving program, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities. This position offers the chance to make a significant impact in a mission-driven environment, fostering connections and partnerships that enhance the organization’s reach and effectiveness. If you are passionate about making a difference in science education and have the skills to drive funding strategies, this is the opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in development or related field.
• Strong research skills and experience with donor databases.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research to identify prospective corporate and foundation donors.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of new funding opportunities.

Skills

Research Skills

Communication Skills

Detail Orientation

Strategic Thinking

Partnership Building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Non-profit Administration

Advanced degree and/or CFRE certification

Tools

Salesforce

Raiser’s Edge NXT

Foundation Directory Online

LinkedIn

iWave

ResearchPoint

Job description

Department: Alumni Relations and Development

Reporting to: VP of External Affairs

Schedule: Full-time year-round

Location: Remote, major metropolitan areas (New York City or Washington, D.C.) strongly preferred
Travel required: Approximately 20 - 30 days per year

Summary

SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is a non-profit organization that is synonymous with excellence in science education. At SSPI, we are guided by a mission to offer students transformational opportunities to learn, do, and belong in science. Since 1959, SSPI’s flagship program, the Summer Science Program, has offered immersive summer research experiences that ignite curiosity and inspire a lifelong passion for discovery. Our vision is to inspire and inform humanity through science, fostering a world where discovery and innovation drive progress. To achieve our mission and vision, SSPI is focused on embracing collaboration, building a lifelong community, and cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment. SSPI places a strong emphasis on belonging and connection among participants, alumni, staff, and stakeholders, wherein individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, and a global network of over 3,700 alumni, we continue to pave the way for the next generation of leaders. More information on our mission, vision, values, and programs can be found at www.ssp.org.

SSPI is seeking a detail-oriented Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving with deep experience in donor research and data-driven decision making to play a key role in identifying and researching new funding opportunities. This non-supervisory role will be responsible for prospect research, pipeline development, and early-stage engagement strategies to expand the organization’s corporate and foundation donor base. The ideal candidate will be analytical, proactive, and highly skilled in leveraging research tools and databases to identify new funding prospects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the VP of External Affairs to manage a comprehensive institutional giving program that aligns with organizational priorities.
• Conduct in-depth research to identify prospective corporate and foundation donors aligned with the organization’s mission, priorities, and funding needs.
• Analyze and monitor giving trends, philanthropic priorities, and funding cycles to identify emerging opportunities and adjust strategies to maintain alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop and maintain a robust pipeline of new funding opportunities by evaluating prospects and, together with the VP of External Affairs, prioritize further research efforts and potential outreach.
• Prepare detailed donor research profiles, briefing documents, and tailored cultivation strategies for leadership and development team members.
• Maintain and update donor database records and create an annual grant solicitation calendar to track prospecting efforts, funding deadlines, and key contacts.
• As assigned by the VP of External Affairs, manage a portfolio of institutional funders, collaboratively developing long-term stewardship strategies to deepen relationships and increase support over time.
• Track and steward prospects through the funding pipeline to ensure effective communication, timely follow up, and target deadlines are met.
• Track and report key performance metrics related to new donor identification and engagement.
• Collaborate with the development team to support grant application strategies by providing background research and prospect insights.
• Assist in drafting compelling letters of inquiry, concept papers, and initial outreach communications to potential funders. Work closely with internal stakeholders to align funding opportunities with organizational programs and priorities.
• Perform other appropriate and reasonably required duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Non-profit Administration, Philanthropy, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Advanced degree and/or CFRE certification preferred.
• Experience working in a nonprofit or development setting with a strong track record in prospect research, institutional giving, and grant writing.
• Understanding of philanthropic trends and best practices in corporate and foundation fundraising.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong background in building partnerships and engaging with community stakeholders.
• Strong research skills, with experience using prospect research tools such as Foundation Directory Online, LinkedIn, iWave, ResearchPoint, or similar platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and present research findings clearly and communicate organizational vision and priorities in a compelling and persuasive manner.
• High level of attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines effectively.
• Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) trends and foundation grantmaking processes.
• Proficiency in donor database management and CRM systems such as Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge NXT, Spotler CRM, etc.
• Ability to work independently, think strategically, and proactively identify funding opportunities.

Working Conditions

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Constantly operates a computer.
• The ability to observe details at a close range and the ability to adjust focus.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Travel to twice yearly in-person staff meetings plus occasional travel to conferences, donor meetings, and alumni events.

Clearance Requirements

• Authorization to work in the United States.
• Background clearance.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. SSPI values a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with all the qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other opportunities.