Development Officer, Foundation Relations [Cleveland Museum of Natural History, OH]

Description

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), founded in 1920, is located in the heart of University Circle, five miles east of downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Considered one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America, the Museum offers an incredible visitor experience, attracting roughly 275,000 visitors a year. There are more than 140 public education programs and over 80,000 students served annually. The Museum employs about 160 people.

Building on its strong foundation of excellence in education and research, the Museum is poised to transform itself. The Museum will invite and engage a broader audience in the exploration of science and the natural world by revolutionizing the way it presents natural history. The Museum has launched a capital campaign to support a dramatic renovation and expansion of its facilities and exhibits. This ambitious plan will position the Museum to play a leading role in regional and national efforts to improve science education and increase scientific literacy.

The Museum is seeking a dynamic, creative, organized and energetic individual who is passionate about science education in our region and beyond.

Summary: The Development Officer, Foundation Relations is responsible for establishing and maintaining positive relationships with foundations and other strategic partners.  With moderate supervision and in collaboration with Development colleagues and Museum staff and trustees, the Development Officer will identify and maintain contact information for appropriate prospects, create cultivation strategies, build relationships, author grant proposals and budgets, and manage post-award administration.  The Development Officer is responsible for creating an annual development plan that aligns with the Museum’s strategic priorities and fundraising goals.  The position includes responsibilities for submitting state and federal grant applications in coordination with curatorial and education colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Identify, in conjunction with prospect research, foundation prospects aligned with the Museum’s mission and strategic plan.

Utilize research tools such as Foundation Directory Online, GuideStar, and others to identify the most strategic prospects.

Maintain the development database with current contact information for prospects.

Review state and federal notices of funding opportunities to support Museum colleagues.

Develop cultivation strategies and MOVES management plan for each foundation prospect.

Build and sustain long-term relationships resulting in multi-year, coordinated engagement strategies.

Leverage Museum staff and trustee relationships for site visits and other face-to-face meetings.

Create an annual development plan for foundation prospects that aligns with the Museum’s strategic plan and priorities.

Author or co-author proposals and all required documentation, including budgets, in collaboration with Museum colleagues and institutional partners.

Submit proposals according to guidelines established by each funder or agency.

Maintain a dashboard report for solicitations to track the proposal development process and outcomes.

Work with Museum colleagues to submit grant reports and materials as required by the foundation or agency.

Develop a donor-centric stewardship program that builds engagement in Museum activities and affinity with the Museum’s mission and strategic priorities.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in English, Communications, Public Relations, Philanthropy or a related field, with 2-4 years of related direct fundraising experience or equivalent combination of education and direct experience.

Working knowledge of fundraising principles, concepts and best practices and methods of communication.

Experience working with prospect research tools such as Foundation Directory Online, Guidestar and others.

Experience working with online application systems for state and federal agencies and state and federal online registration databases.

Experience working with CRM software such as Raiser’s Edge, Tessitura, Salesforce or other donor database software.

Intermediate or advanced level knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat Professional.

Other Qualifications:

Intellectual curiosity and a passion for science, nature and conservation.

Ability to be an outstanding ambassador for the Museum.

Professional demeanor, tact, diplomacy, discretion, good judgment, strong insight and instinct, maturity and sophistication.

Ability to work with an interdisciplinary professional team, including high-level division and department directors.

Demonstrated knowledge of writing clearly and informatively with a high level of sophistication; ability to vary writing styles to meet needs.

Ability to prepare, manage and reconcile a program budget and guide internal customers in developing budgets and monitoring costs.

Display effective time management and organizational skills.

Ability to work Monday through Friday in a professional office environment and evenings as required.  Some local travel and infrequent out-of-town, overnight travel may be required.

Ability to effectively coordinate and track multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize work according to deadlines with a high level of attention to detail.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references to: Human Resources Cleveland Museum of Natural History One Wade Oval Drive, University Circle Cleveland, Ohio 44106 Hr@cmnh.org

No phone calls, please.

Job Announcement Number: 16A11

Posting Date: April 13, 2016

             The Cleveland Museum of Natural History

is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, ADA EMPLOYER

and a SUBSTANCE-FREE WORKPLACE