Director of Foundation Engagement

Ohio State University; United States; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Ohio State University is seeking a Director of Foundation Engagement to lead foundation fundraising and grant activities across multiple colleges and units. You will develop strategies, manage a portfolio of foundations, and collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Programs to align priorities with campus-wide goals.

The role requires building relationships with deans, faculty, and executives, plus travel and a flexible schedule.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four years of relevant experience including two years of professional fundraising with grant seeking and two years of related research/writing.
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills with experience in technical/science writing or grant writing.
• Ability to travel and work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends if needed.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising management: identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of foundations to secure grants.
• Prospect management: manage ~50 foundations and aim to solicit a minimum of 24 major gifts/grants annually.
• Collaboration: work with colleges, sponsors, and offices to align funding with priorities and strategies.

Skills

Fundraising

Grant writing

Research

Communication

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Title: Director of Foundation Engagement

Department: Advancement | Development Foundation Relations

Position Overview

The Director of Development develops and implements short- and long-term plans to secure foundation grants targeted at the $100,000 level and above. This position will work with a variety of colleges and constituent units to proactively assist in identifying new foundation prospects and move them through the fundraising continuum to solicitation and stewardship. Assists with raising the Foundation Engagement profile campus-wide through effective collaboration with the Office of Sponsored Programs and unit-based grant management offices. Engages college and unit leaders in developing and implementing long-term strategies for top foundation donors and prospects. Responsibilities will also include developing fundraising projections and managing personal plans to achieve identified annual goals. This position requires exceptional interpersonal skills and a highly self‑motivated individual who enjoys working in a team environment. Some travel is required and this position will work a hybrid-remote schedule. All members of External Affairs are part of creating a culture that inspires an exceptionally multifaceted and talented team and are expected to exhibit The Ohio State University’s Shared Values. The Office of External Affairs is committed to acting with kindness, respect, and integrity at all times and welcoming our colleagues’ ideas, voices, and perspectives, acknowledging that we are better together.

About the Office of Foundation Engagement

Foundation Engagement is a resource unit housed jointly within the Office of University Advancement and the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK), that generates and stewards philanthropic support from private foundations for Ohio State. Our team supports all academic units, regional campuses and the medical center. Foundation Engagement officers focus on cultivating and maintaining relationships with private foundations and aligning innovative research, education, and strategic initiatives to foundations giving priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

85% - Fundraising Management Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards portfolio of foundations in order to secure grants in keeping with assigned academic and non‑academic unit priorities. Completes work with minimal supervision. Prospect qualification: Manages a portfolio of prospective foundation prospects. Identifies potential prospects and researches their alignment, capacity, and potential funding levels. Works to cultivate early fundraising interactions and develops useful, early stage briefing materials. Prospect cultivation: Identifies foundations’ values, capacity, interests and key triggers. Effectively uses research. Builds meaningful engagement with Ohio State. Sustains and deepens foundation engagement through effective partnerships and leverage of university resources. Develops strategies that build trust and identify mutual areas of interest with foundation prospects. Prospect solicitation: Raises foundations’ sights and builds context for asks. Develops, edits and submits letters of inquiry and proposals, or other forms of solicitation. Utilizes effective solicitation techniques to directly solicit a minimum of 24 major gifts/grants (defined as $100,000 and above) annually with a targeted annual fundraising dollar goal of $3 million. Stewardship: Manages a select pool of stewardship prospects. Depending on funders’ expectations, develops comprehensive stewardship plans and periodic stewardship reports for each foundation, for the purpose of recognition and continuous engagement. Facilitates public and private stewardship activities. Responds to leadership requests related to stewardship. Prospect management: Builds, maintains and serves as primary prospect manager for a portfolio of approximately 50 foundations. Maintains key prospect and benefactor records for relationship‑building and gift/grant activities through University Advancement systems and departmental files, including Prospect Tracking and Contact Reports.

15% Participates in ongoing training in basic fundraising activities and strategy. Performs other fundraising duties as assigned as part of a strong Foundation Engagement team.

Metrics and Collaboration: The annual performance of all fundraisers at Ohio State is measured by the number of qualifications, cultivations, solicitations and commitments/dollars raised the individual accrues over each fiscal year. Each fundraiser may have different expectations regarding these figures based upon, but not limited to, their experience level, unit size, prospect portfolio, past performance, etc. Goal setting is done with the individual’s manager prior to each fiscal year to assure transparency, consistency and alignment. All fundraisers at Ohio State are encouraged and expected to collaborate with their colleagues across the institution and can be counted as ‘Secondary’ in the solicitation, commitment and dollars raised phases of the development cycle. A secondary fundraiser can be considered when a team is working on a multi‑unit initiative, the fundraiser is a subject matter expert in an area critical to the solicitation, or a fundraiser has a pre‑existing, meaningful relationship with the donor and their participation helps move the gift/grant forward.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Four years of relevant experience: at least two years of professional fundraising experience that includes grant seeking and two years of related experience with a significant focus on research, writing, and/or relationship building.

Demonstrated excellent communication skills with experience in technical/science writing or grant writing.

Ability to travel and work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends if needed.

Desired Qualifications (We’re committed to building a team that reflects a variety of skills and experiences and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not align perfectly)

Four years of previous fundraising experience asking and closing major foundation grants.

Experience working closely with high‑level executives, as well as deans and faculty.

Experience working at a complex research university.

Familiarity with Ohio State’s strengths in STEM and health science research.

The Office of External Affairs is committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our business, proprietary databases, university‑specific processes, and advancement practices.

You Need to Know

Aside from the unparalleled benefits of working for The Ohio State University and working in the diverse, smart, enjoyable, and growing city of Columbus, Ohio, this opportunity will provide exceptional rewards that arise from working for an institution doing worldwide life‑changing teaching and research. Learn more here: https://hr.osu.edu/careers/.

Additional Information:

To learn more about the Office of Advancement, please visit advancement.osu.edu.

The budget for this position is up to $85,000. The offer for this position will be based on internal equity and the candidate's qualifications.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6/17, this position has been designated as a standby position.

Function:

Development and Engagement

Sub‑function:

Development

Career Band:

Individual Contributor – Specialized

Location:

University Square North (1031)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

As Buckeyes, we accomplish more together. No matter your role, you’ll be part of creating what people need now: pathways to education, research and health care. Working at Ohio State means you’re part of a team with a strong sense of community and an unwavering commitment to excellence — and, of course, incomparable Buckeye spirit. We bring out the best in people, help each other succeed and learn together. By joining Ohio State, you become part of a top-20 public university with one of America’s leading academic health centers. We’re a team of dedicated colleagues with access to boundless resources that support you.

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