Senior Director, Grants and Foundations

Columbus, OH, United States

The Senior Director of Grants and Foundations understands the

mission, needs and value proposition of the university and the

Wexner Center for the Arts to build relationships with prospective

donors to increase philanthropic support and engage governmental,

corporate foundation, and non-profit stakeholders, and develops and

implements short- and long-term plans to secure governmental and

foundation grants support to advance the research, educational,

programmatic, and land-grant mission of the institution. The

successful candidate will actively manage a portfolio of

prospective grant and foundation opportunities with a focus on

identifying institutional funding opportunities, particularly from

foundations and public sources targeting proposals at the $100,000

level and above. Position will focus on special projects that

contribute to institutional reputation and advancement (e.g.,

presentations, case statements, university campaign collateral,

drafting speeches/remarks, etc.). They will lead the Wex’s

government relations efforts in collaboration with OSU’s Office of

Government Affairs.

Preparation for the “ask” will include creative and strategic

utilization of resources to determine the prospective funder’s

capacity for giving, build their interest, raise their sights,

sustain their engagement and obtain a gift. Success in the position

will be guided by annual metrics such as number of monthly

meetings, number of gift commitments, and dollars raised. Central

resources such as a robust donor database and reporting and

analytics tools exist to help the role achieve goals and manage an

allocated budget.

The position will assist with raising the Wexner Center’s

profile campus-wide, community-wide, and within university

advancement. Responsibilities will also include developing

fundraising projections and managing personal plans to achieve

identified annual goals. This position requires exceptional

interpersonal skills, and strong writing, editing and project

management abilities. A highly self-motivated individual who enjoys

working in a team environment will thrive in this role.

The Senior Director reports to the Head of Advancement and

operates with a high degree of independence to make decisions,

solve problems, negotiate and adapt to shifting priorities.

Expectations include stellar communications and interactions with

constituents, collaboration with colleagues across Advancement, the

Office of Sponsored Programs, Wexner Center Foundation and

unit-based grants teams throughout the university as applicable.

Authenticity, accountability, diplomacy and discretion are

required. This role requires flexibility to travel when needed to

accompany faculty and leadership as opportunities arise; travel is

typically outside Ohio. Occasional evening and weekend work is

required.

All members of Advancement are part of creating an inclusive

culture that inspires an exceptionally diverse and talented team

and are measured on their adherence to the following core

competencies: leadership, continuous improvement, teamwork

and collaboration, and communication/interpersonal

effectiveness.

Position will be a super user of various university systems,

including but not limited to, Tessitura, The Advancement System

(TAS), Workday, Docusign, and any other applicable

systems.

Position manages full-time staff members in grant and foundation

relations, and a cohort of interns which cycle annually. Position

may be required to fill in for intra-team absences on front-line

fundraising, advancement events, or other special projects as

assigned.

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’ on a gift 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 gift, 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 forward.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and

experience.

Six years of relevant experience with at least four years of

professional fundraising experience (building relationships towards

philanthropic end through making calls, conducting face-to-face

appointments, creating and presenting proposals, closing gifts) and

two years of related experience in marketing, sales, public

relations, financial advisement, account management or related

field with emphasis on donor cultivation, solicitation and

relationship cultivation of individuals/businesses.

At least three years of experience leading the proposal

development process and securing grants/gifts from private and/or

public funders.

Ability to travel and work a flexible schedule, including

evenings and weekends.

Desired Qualifications (We are dedicated to

building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage you to

apply even if your experience does not align perfectly)

Six years of previous fundraising experience soliciting and

closing major foundation gifts/grants.

Professionally versed in grantsmanship

Experience working with high level executives, as well as

deans, physicians, and faculty.

Experience working in complex research university

Experience working with private foundation and/or public sector

funders to secure and manage six and seven figure grants.

Additional Information:

Mission Statement

The Wexner Center for the Arts is The Ohio State University’s

multidisciplinary laboratory for contemporary art and culture.

Through exhibitions, performances, screenings, educational

programs, artist residencies, and publications the Wex serves as a

vital forum where artists test ideas and where diverse audiences

engage the art and issues of our time. In its programs, the Wex

balances a commitment to experimentation with a critical

appreciation of the past. Our work affirms the university’s pursuit

of civic participation, freedom of expression, and robust

dialogue.

DEI Statement

The Wexner Center values diversity and offers a supportive,

open, and inclusive community. We encourage candidates to apply,

regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or

expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics,

disability, age, or veteran status.

Duties and Responsibilities:

95% - Fundraising Management

Contributes to the development and implementation of WCA’s

long-range strategy to grow governmental and foundation giving.

Engages university and community leadership leadership in idea

generation, opportunity matching, proposal development, and donor

visits. Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards portfolio of

foundations in order to secure grants in advancement of WCA

programmatic and budgetary goals. Completes work with minimal

supervision.

Prospect qualification: Builds and manages a portfolio of

prospective governmental and foundation donors. Through targeted

research, identifies foundations whose priorities align to the

mission of the WCA and Ohio State. Determines a funder's values,

capacity, interests, key triggers and giving history to gauge

capacity, inclination, and potential giving levels.

Prospect cultivation: Works with internal partners (i.e.,

academic leadership, faculty, office of research, office of

sponsored programs, development colleagues, governmental relations,

and others) to identify programs, and initiatives that align to the

priorities of viable foundation prospects. Sets strategy for

initial approach based on each funder's process/opportunity. Works

to cultivate early fundraising interactions. Develops useful, early

state collateral and assists in shaping letters of intent and

preliminary contract proposals. Builds meaningful engagement with

the institution, leveraging university resources to build and

deepen effective partnerships defined by mutual trust and shared

priorities/interests.

Prospect solicitation: Cultivates a portfolio of top

institutional donors and prospects to directly solicit major gifts

guided by annual metrics. Raises foundations' sights and builds

context for asks via personal visits to foundation offices and

on-campus engagement. Works in concert with WCA leadership,

financial leadership, programmatic heads and subject matter experts

on development of competitive letters of intent and full proposals,

providing critical feedback and edits and advising on funder

priorities, tone, requirements, formatting, etc. As necessary,

coordinates with Wexner Center Foundation, Office of Sponsored

Programs, central Advancement, and unit-based grant and execution

teams. May serve as lead writer of case statements, letters of

intent and proposals for select programs/initiatives. Sets ask

levels and key project targets.

Stewardship: Manages a pool of stewardship prospects based on

giving record and long-term potential. Develops comprehensive

stewardship plans and periodic stewardship reports for each

foundation, for the purpose of recognition and continuous

engagement. Facilitates public and private celebrations.

Collaborates with WCA Communications and Marketing on

publishing press releases, where appropriate. Responds to

leadership requests related to stewardship.

Prospect management: Builds, maintains and serves as primary

prospect manager for an assigned and growing portfolio, including

those that have not yet established strong giving histories at Ohio

State and/or the Wexner Center for the Arts Maintains key prospect

and benefactor records for relationship building and gift

activities through University Development systems and departmental

files including Prospect Tracking and Contact Reports in TAS (and

Tessitura as appropriate)

5% - Miscellaneous

Participates in ongoing training in basic fundraising

activities and strategy. Travels to engage priority donors and

prospects. Works with departmental advisory boards; assists in

planning and executing comprehensive campaigns for the college;

assists in hiring and training new WCA staff; coaches writing and

research staff in proposal development;. Performs other fundraising

duties as assigned as part of a strong WCA Advancement team.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University

State of Emergency Policy 6/17, this position has been designated

as a standby position.

The Wexner Center for the Arts and Office of Advancement is

committed to providing tools and resources for you to learn our

business, proprietary databases, university-specific processes, and

advancement practices.

Use of personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursed);

work hours vary and include evenings, weekends, and possible

holidays.

Full-time schedule is 40 hours per week. Must be flexible to

work evenings, weekends, and possible holidays as needed; use of

personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursed).

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