Manager of Grants and Institutional Giving

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About IMS: Independence Mission Schools (IMS) educate students of all faiths living throughout Philadelphia. Our inspiring new network of 14 schools blends the best of Catholic education with innovative teaching strategies designed to meet the unique learning needs of all students.

Since our inception in 2012, our enrollment has grown over 20%, our students are outperforming 80% of their neighboring public and charter schools in Reading, and we have received increasing recognition as a network that successfully integrates faith, character, and academics to create warm, energizing schools that are sustainable for students, staff, and community. Ultimately, IMS recognizes that our students are on track to make their own choices in pursuit of college and career opportunities because they are on grade level academically and enrolled in a high-quality high school.

Perks of IMS: Full-Time staff at IMS enjoy ongoing development through coaching, mentorship, and professional development and a benefits package that matches 403b contributions, provides low-cost healthcare, and guarantees paid sick time and personal time. Learn more here.

The Manager of Grants and Institutional Giving is responsible for planning, implementing and coordinating a comprehensive program for Independence Mission Schools (IMS) to identify, cultivate, and solicit support from corporations, affiliated corporate foundations, private and public foundations, businesses, and other organizations. Developing good relationships with partners who can leverage the corporate partnerships will be essential. The Manager will create, write, and submit proposals and stewardship reports; work to increase the amount of corporate and foundation support, and grow the income visibility of IMS. The Manager will systematically expand the pipeline of corporate and foundation support in cooperation with the other advancement staff and data analytics. This position reports to the Director of Annual Giving.

Specific Responsibilities

• Meet goals and objectives that include raising the budgeted grant income goal.
• Solicit a minimum of 50 institutional donors annually with formal grant requests. Target 25% new prospects each year. Develop a portfolio of qualified prospects, submission dates and deadlines.
• Write, coordinate, and implement corporate and foundation grant proposals, reports, and delivery of donor benefits and recognition. Prepare materials and presentations, case statements, and solicitations to corporations and foundations, members of the board, organizations, and donors and prospects to obtain financial support.
• Arrange for face-to-face meetings on site with the corporate and foundation contacts, involving the CEO, CAO, other executive staff, or Trustees.
• Coordinate donor visits and tours of IMS as part of an on-going stewardship plan to further cultivate relationships with donors affiliated with institutional philanthropy.
• Work with others to obtain information necessary for proposals including budget information. Produce interim and final grant reports to funders. Maintain a schedule of submissions for grants and reports that will guide the work of this area. Develop and monitor an agreed upon metrics plan.
• Maintain electronic and hard copy files of important correspondence and records for grant tracking and report generation, including updating and tracking of database records in Donor Perfect.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit corporations and foundations to make major investments in support of IMS by matching the strategic initiatives, business plan and fundraising priorities with prospective donors'/grantmakers' interests.
• Assist in writing direct mail appeal and newsletter copy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Appreciation and passion for the mission and vision of Independence Mission Schools.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a development/advancement office with proven experience in writing grant proposals and reports, as well as identifying, cultivating and soliciting support from corporations and foundations, business partners and other organizations.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Proven experience discovering prospective donors/grant makers, developing and submitting proposals to increase the amount of corporate and foundation support.
• Strong interpersonal skills and energetic personality with demonstrated ability to build, foster and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external constituencies including administrators, teachers, trustees, alumni, donors and prospects.
• Superior writing and communication skills with the ability to articulate the mission, vision and philanthropic priorities of IMS and with clarity and passion to a wide audience of stakeholders that includes donors, business leaders, and community partners.
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and to prioritize responsibilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google Suites.
• Previous experience and proficiency working in fundraising software.
• Must be willing to work nights and weekends at times.
• Must be willing and able to travel at times; valid driver's license and access to a car are required.
• Successful candidates must be able to clear all required background checks.

Please note this is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IMS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrates staff diversity. We strive to be and build a diverse team that is representative of our students and the communities in which we serve. If you identify as an individual of color, we highly encourage you to apply!

Want to learn more about IMS and our school locations? Please visit: