Foundation Director

Jobtailor; Worthington (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota West Foundation is seeking a seasoned fundraising leader to enhance major gifts, donor relations, and grant development. You will craft strategic plans, guide campaigns, and collaborate with the Foundation Board and college leadership to grow giving and manage budgets.

You will oversee grant proposals, alumni engagement, and stewardship activities, while ensuring compliance and accurate financial reporting across gifts and restricted funds.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional related work experience.
• A bachelor’s degree may substitute for 1 year of experience.
• An associate’s degree may substitute for 6 months experience.
• Fundraising experience with demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and securing gifts.
• Experience building and sustaining relationships with community members, donors, and prospective supporters.
• Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to understand, manage, and communicate financial information.
• Strong organizational and management skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituents.
• Must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of employment.

Responsibilities

• Increase Minnesota West Foundation funding and major gifts through corporate, community, private and family foundations, and alumni relations
• Develop yearly plans, conduct research, prepare proposals, and manage successful gift and grant solicitations
• Report to the President and work under the direction of the Foundation Board of Directors
• Advise the President on Foundation, alumni, and fundraising initiatives
• Develop and implement systematic programs to increase gifts and grants
• Develop fundraising goals with the Foundation Board and College President
• Build and advance major gifts programs
• Design and implement fundraising campaigns aligned with the annual giving cycle
• Identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors
• Develop grant proposals and funding requests with the College President
• Implement communications and outreach plans with the college marketing department
• Develop and manage donor relations, alumni engagement, and stewardship activities
• Lead donor recognition and stewardship events
• Maintain communication with current and prospective donors and conduct solicitations
• Collaborate with the Foundation Board, College President, and Vice President of Finance & Facilities on financial planning and oversight
• Develop annual Foundation and residential hall business plans
• Prepare and oversee annual operating budgets for the Foundation and residential hall
• Oversee Foundation scholarship funds and related reporting
• Ensure accurate financial reporting on gifts, grants, and restricted funds
• Provide reports supporting the Foundation Board’s fiduciary responsibilities
• Maintain communication with the Board regarding Foundation and college priorities and activities
• Manage Foundation policies, processes, and compliance requirements
• Ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements, Attorney General regulations, IRS requirements, Minnesota State expectations, and Secretary of State filings
• Lead Foundation policy development, board development, recruitment, training, and committee support
• Prepare materials for Foundation meetings, mailings, reports, campaigns, events, and Board decision-making
• Oversee gift acceptance, processing, acknowledgment, and record maintenance
• Serve as primary liaison to the Minnesota State System Director of Foundation Services
• Maintain donor, alumni, and prospect information
• Prepare fundraising reports and dashboards and recommend strategies
• Conduct prospect research and develop cultivation strategies
• Evaluate Foundation operations and recommend improvements
• Perform other assigned duties, including committees, special projects, and selected legislative or community relationship activities

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Grant writing

Budget oversight

Financial management

Prospect research

Campaign design

Data analysis

Event planning

Compliance management

Relationship building

Time management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

Job description

• Increase Minnesota West Foundation funding and major gifts through corporate, community, private and family foundations, and alumni relations
• Develop yearly plans, conduct research, prepare proposals, and manage successful gift and grant solicitations
• Report to the President and work under the direction of the Foundation Board of Directors
• Advise the President on Foundation, alumni, and fundraising initiatives
• Develop and implement systematic programs to increase gifts and grants
• Develop fundraising goals with the Foundation Board and College President
• Build and advance major gifts programs
• Design and implement fundraising campaigns aligned with the annual giving cycle
• Identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors
• Develop grant proposals and funding requests with the College President
• Implement communications and outreach plans with the college marketing department
• Develop and manage donor relations, alumni engagement, and stewardship activities
• Lead donor recognition and stewardship events
• Maintain communication with current and prospective donors and conduct solicitations
• Collaborate with the Foundation Board, College President, and Vice President of Finance & Facilities on financial planning and oversight
• Develop annual Foundation and residential hall business plans
• Prepare and oversee annual operating budgets for the Foundation and residential hall
• Oversee Foundation scholarship funds and related reporting
• Ensure accurate financial reporting on gifts, grants, and restricted funds
• Provide reports supporting the Foundation Board’s fiduciary responsibilities
• Maintain communication with the Board regarding Foundation and college priorities and activities
• Manage Foundation policies, processes, and compliance requirements
• Ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements, Attorney General regulations, IRS requirements, Minnesota State expectations, and Secretary of State filings
• Lead Foundation policy development, board development, recruitment, training, and committee support
• Prepare materials for Foundation meetings, mailings, reports, campaigns, events, and Board decision-making
• Oversee gift acceptance, processing, acknowledgment, and record maintenance
• Serve as primary liaison to the Minnesota State System Director of Foundation Services
• Maintain donor, alumni, and prospect information
• Prepare fundraising reports and dashboards and recommend strategies
• Conduct prospect research and develop cultivation strategies
• Evaluate Foundation operations and recommend improvements
• Perform other assigned duties, including committees, special projects, and selected legislative or community relationship activities

Requirements

• Three years of professional related work experience
• A bachelor’s degree may substitute for 1 year of experience
• An associate’s degree may substitute for 6 months experience
• Fundraising experience with demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and securing gifts
• Experience building and sustaining relationships with community members, donors, and prospective supporters
• Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills
• Ability to understand, manage, and communicate financial information
• Strong organizational and management skills, with attention to detail
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of internal and external constituents
• Effective time management and prioritization skills
• Must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States at the time of employment
• Employees driving on college/university business using a rental or state vehicle must conform to Minnesota State vehicle use criteria and consent to a Motor Vehicle Records check

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in fundraising, donor relations, and grant management, with a strong ability to develop and implement strategic fundraising campaigns and programs. Proficient in financial reporting, compliance, and stakeholder communication to support organizational goals.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Fundraising Experience
• Donor Relations Management
• Grant Proposal Development
• Financial Reporting
• Strategic Planning

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Fundraising
• Grant Writing
• Financial Management
• Proposal Development
• Budget Oversight
• Data Analysis
• Campaign Design
• Prospect Research
• Event Planning
• Compliance Management

Soft Skills

• Communication Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Time Management
• Relationship Building
• Attention to Detail

Industry Keywords

• Nonprofit Management
• Alumni Relations
• Major Gifts Programs
• Community Engagement
• Fiduciary Responsibilities
• Board Development
• Stewardship Activities
• State and Federal Compliance
• Minnesota State Regulations
• Foundation Services