Director of Corporate & Foundation Engagement

For over three decades, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute have helped to train, place, and elect thousands of openly LGBTQ+ public officials at every level of government. Our leaders have been catalysts for expanding legal rights for LGBTQ+ people across the country, and they have transformed our nation’s policies and shifted our political landscape towards equality, one election at a time. Today, over 1300 LGBTQ+ Americans are serving in elected office due to the work of Victory. Victory’s work continues as LGBTQ+ people are severely underrepresented in all levels of government – serving in only 0.26% of all elected offices in the United States.

About the role

Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Director of Corporate & Foundation Engagement contributes to the success of the organization by helping to achieve annual and long-term fundraising goals through raising funds from corporations and foundations to support general operating and programmatic needs. The Director works closely with various teams within the organization, including the development team, senior leadership, program managers, and finance staff. In this role, they handle all aspects of the fundraising cycle, including prospecting, outreach, communications, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with a portfolio of corporate and foundation partners.

The position is based in Washington, DC, with a hybrid schedule of 3 days in-office. The role requires frequent travel, including on weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategy for corporate and foundation engagement, including stewardship.
• Develop and write grant and sponsorship proposals in collaboration with program managers.
• Project manage Victory’s corporate and grant programs using timely and appropriate internal and external communications (utilizing project management software, proactive problem-solving, and proper escalation) to ensure that grants and reports are submitted in a timely manner.
• Draft and review proposals and progress reports, including project narratives, budgets, and other supporting documentation.
• Proactively research and identify new opportunities for public and private funding and sponsorships.
• Serve as Victory’s liaison to a portfolio of corporate partners, focusing on keeping current partners engaged in our events and programs to nurture positive relationships.
• Develop new and innovative ways to integrate corporate donors into Victory’s work and giving campaigns.
• Review solicitation materials for corporate partnership opportunities, including high-quality proposals, pitch decks, event and program sponsorships, as well as corporate foundation proposals.
• Collaborate with Development team members in preparation of webinars and collateral materials to share with external stakeholders.
• Draft and update literature on Victory programming, in collaboration with the Communications team.
• Track and report on fundraising and overall development campaign strategy, progress, and trends/issues relating to corporate partners and prospects.
• Maintain up-to-date records in EveryAction database.
• Work with Programs Team to plan and operationalize our corporate partner strategy at our annual conferences.
• Safeguard the confidentiality of donors and prospects by exercising discretion in communicating information and handling departmental records, files, applications, proposals, evaluations, and similar confidential materials.
• Contribute to building a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Adhere to the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Code of Ethics to honor the rights of donors.
• Assist in donor events and meetings, including travel off-site overnight, evenings, and weekends for donor cultivation (up to 25% of the time).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 4-6 years of experience with corporate solicitation, including successfully closing and renewing year-to-year funding, as well as successful philanthropy and/or grant writing experience; or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Previous experience working with board volunteers, corporate donors, and program and fundraising staff.
• Demonstrated success with proposals and sponsorships, including corporate applications and reporting, and a working knowledge of moves management.
• Excellent project management skills to drive success in managing multiple proposals and reports simultaneously.
• Excellent written, oral, and listening communication skills; ability to write clear, structured, articulate, and persuasive proposals; strong editing skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate the vision, mission, and programs of Victory using storytelling.
• Ability to contribute to the development of innovative and creative strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to represent Victory in a consistently positive and professional manner.
• Ability to work well as a strong collaborator in a team environment.
• Working knowledge of the budgeting process.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint) required; experience using EveryAction database a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, vision, dental, flexible spending account, health reimbursement account, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401k, parental leave, and generous paid time off.

Pay

The salary for this position is $80,000-$95,000 per annum, commensurate with experience.