Assistant Director of Foundation Relations

About the role

National Louis University seeks an Assistant Director of Foundation Relations to join our Advancement team. Reporting to the Director of Foundation Relations, this role involves grant writing, stewardship, and administrative functions.

Responsibilities

• Work with Advancement colleagues and NLU faculty and staff to explore, synthesize, articulate and prioritize ideas for foundation support, and develop written products that capture and relay need in compelling ways.
• Manage a portfolio of 30 to 40 foundations and corporations, communicating with and responding to program staff and officers as appropriate, and ensuring that all proposal and reporting requirements are met.
• Ensure consistent and accurate tracking of activities, tasks, contacts, due dates, and deliverables in Salesforce NPSP.
• Partner with Advancement colleagues, faculty and staff to develop and coordinate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Arrange meetings with corporate and foundation representatives, and prepare senior leadership and colleagues for these meetings and other interactions with funders.
• Grow NLU's portfolio of corporate funding partners and strengthen existing corporate partnerships through strategies such as collaboration with NLU's career services and partnerships departments, and the exploration of a potential Corporate Advisory Council.
• Conduct foundation and corporation prospect research; devise and execute plans to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward institutional funders.
• Partner with colleagues to develop budgets and reports for funders; track private institutional revenue allocations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in English, Communications, Liberal Arts, Journalism, Nonprofit Management, Business, or other related field, required
• A minimum of five (5) years' experience in institutional fundraising in higher education or another type of not-for-profit organization
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• Ability to synthesize systems-level ideas and create compelling written products for specific audiences
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to Advancement colleagues, donors, volunteers, faculty, and staff
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and good judgment, and the ability to work in a team environment
• Prior knowledge and familiarity with local and national foundations, and fundraising strategies and techniques

Essential Skills

• Strong writing and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
• Experience with grant writing and proposal development
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and techniques
• Proficiency in Salesforce NPSP

Benefits

National Louis University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and educational opportunities. The salary range for this position is $65,186 to $94,520 annually, with compensation decisions based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity.