Institutional Giving Manager

River Network seeks an exceptional grant writer, editor, researcher and project manager for a contract position of up to six months with the option to be hired as a full-time, exempt River Network employee following completion of the contract. Candidates must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, well-organized and able to independently manage a growing portfolio of institutional funders. This individual will have major responsibility for River Network’s foundation, government and corporate funding streams and will be expected to meet or exceed River Network’s annual institutional fundraising goals. They will also lead efforts to identify and cultivate institutional funding prospects. Specific responsibilities will include prospect research, writing and editing letters of inquiry, grant proposals, budgets and grant reports to funders, and documenting and tracking all institutional fundraising efforts and results. This position will also support the Director of Philanthropy with individual fundraising efforts as needed. This individual will play a key role in growing River Network’s annual contributions (currently about $1.6M). S/he must be dedicated to a future of clean and ample water for people and nature, where local caretakers are well-equipped, effective and courageous champions for our rivers.

 

OFFICE LOCATION: Boulder, Colorado

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for developing, refining and implementing River Network’s annual institutional fundraising strategy.
• Researches, writes, compiles and submits clear, compelling and targeted proposals, LOIs, reports and other written and verbal communications to current and prospective funders with appropriate input from program staff and organizational leadership.
• Develops and leads fundraising strategies for all foundation, government, and corporate sources, in close collaboration with key staff and volunteers, and in order to meet or exceed revenue goals.

• Contributes to organizational evolution and team discussions, fosters productive work relationships with others, and follows River Network practices, procedures, and policies.
• Stays abreast of best practices in philanthropy, institutional fundraising, and water conservation, stewardship, policy and advocacy.
• Supports communications and marketing efforts, corporate partnership programs, event management, and other development-related work, as needed.
• Develop and maintain thorough records and files for all institutional funders and prospects in SalesForce database.
• Occasional weekend and evening work and travel (up to 25%).

 

ABOUT RIVER NETWORK:

River Network’s mission is to empower and unite people to protect and restore our rivers and other waters that sustain all life. Since 1988, we have helped concerned citizens to take a stand against apathy, neglect, and abuse of our rivers and lakes and become effective caretakers of our waters. We connect them with the people, training, innovations and resources they need to advance water quality and quantity solutions locally and at larger scales. Our partners include local, state, regional and national conservation organizations, First Nations, environmental justice groups, municipal water supply providers, government agencies, foundations, companies, and individual supporters. Our staff consists of water conservation experts, field organizers, scientists, public policy specialists and educators who work from our organizational headquarters in Portland, OR, as well as locations throughout the US (Maryland, North Carolina, Colorado and Ohio). Visit www.rivernetwork.org to learn more.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years’ professional fundraising and/or writing experience.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, proven experience translating complex and technical concepts into compelling and clear prose for specific audiences.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret non-profit financial statements and work with program and finance staff to develop project budgets to accompany grant proposals and reports.
• Knowledge of water stewardship, river conservation, environmental issues, and community engagement.
• Extensive experience developing and delivering successful proposals to a variety of foundation and other institutional funders.
• Self-motivated and quick learner able to work cooperatively with a wide range of staff, stakeholders, partners and volunteers. This position requires confidentiality, and a sense of humor is a must.
• Detail-oriented, with proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and delivering assignments within stringent deadlines.
• Highly technologically savvy, including Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Adobe Creative Suite, and prospect research and donor management systems (e.g., iWave, SalesForce, Blackbaud, or others).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Experience developing proposals and reports for government grants.
• Experience with corporate giving, including donor identification, cultivation and solicitation, and maintaining long-term relationships with corporate partners.
• Knowledge of current and evolving trends in charitable giving, particularly in the foundation arena.

TO APPLY:
Please send cover letter and resume as one document to asrinivasan@rivernetwork.org with “Institutional Giving Manager” in the subject line of the email, or apply by mail by sending your materials to Attn: Alice Srinivasan, River Network, 2400 Spruce Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302.