Posted on June 27, 2012

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Director of National Foundation Relations

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Year Up is seeking an entrepreneurial and results-oriented Director of National Foundation Relations to join its Development team to manage all fundraising activities related to national foundation and corporate grants. This individual will achieve the annual revenue goal of $4-5 million through ongoing prospecting for new relationships and optimization of existing relationships. Reporting to the National Director of Development and External Affairs, the Foundation Relations Director will identify, cultivate, close and steward a portfolio of corporate and foundation donors, soliciting and stewarding 6 & 7 figure grants. Some travel is required. Additionally, this individual will support foundation fundraising activities with nine local site leaders, providing foundation industry knowledge and cross-site best practices.

In keeping with Year Up’s values, the Director of National Foundation Relations will also interact with students as a mentor, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in creating and sustaining a positive educational environment, with trust among students, faculty and site leaders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct responsibility for cultivating relationships with and soliciting foundation program officers and key foundation leadership, including Foundation Presidents, to successfully achieve grants at the 6&7 figure level.
• Create a consistent pipeline of prospective corporate and foundation grant opportunities.
• Research and identify new sources of funding compatible with the organization’s mission and programming.
• Ability to leverage Year Up’s National and local board relationships to identify connectors to support prospecting and closing activities.
• Understand foundation grant priorities and develop a well-thought-out, strategic approach to matching foundation needs with Year Up’s mission.
• Write creative grant proposals and presentations that include rational and emotionally compelling articulation of Year Up’s success in youth development, post-secondary education, and workforce development.
• Providing a high level of stewardship, contract fulfillment, and reporting for each relationship.
• Lead relationship management activities including expanding partnerships through engaging mentors, volunteers and event participation.
• Build strong internal relationships with local site leaders to coordinate prospecting and account management of national foundations and corporations to provide funding for site operating and expansion needs.
• Assist National Director of Strategic Growth and Impact in writing grants for influence strategy.
• Keeping current on philanthropy news and policy reports relating to workforce development and disconnected young adults.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years of professional fundraising experience.
• Proven track record on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant foundation gifts.
• Exceptional writing skills; experience writing and managing grants
• Relationship management experience with national accounts
• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience building relationships with internal partners
• Ability to speak and write in a compelling way about the organization’s funding and programmatic goals
• Professional and resourceful, with the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative and manage multiple deadline-driven tasks and projects simultaneously
• Proven passion for working with urban youth and an unshakable belief in their potential
• Understanding the Opportunity Divide and its drivers
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Compensation: Competitive salary commensurate with education and experience
• Benefits: Year Up offers a competitive benefits package including 100% healthcare coverage, dental, and 401(k) match
• Vacation: Three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year with organization
• Professional Development: Professional development funds are available to aid Year Up employees in achieving career objectives
• Non-monetary compensation: The opportunity to be an integral member of an energetic, innovative, hard-working and rapidly growing team, within an organization that is committed to closing the Opportunity Divide in our country.

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Founded in 2000, Year Up is a non-profit organization striving to close the Opportunity Divide by providing urban young adults with the skills, experiences and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Year Up recognizes that the Opportunity Divide—specifically, historical barriers to education and professional work—is driven by race, ethnicity, national origin and socio-economic status. Year Up seeks to close the Divide by setting high expectations and providing high support for our young adults.

Through a one-year intensive training program, Year Up provides urban young adults ages 18-24 with a unique combination of hands-on technical and professional skills, college credit, and corporate internships. Year Up lives by and adheres to a core set of values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and full potential of our young adults. With an operating budget of over $40 million, Year Up will serve more than 1,500 students in 2012 across nine sites in Atlanta, Baltimore (community college program), Boston, Chicago, New York City, Providence, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Year Up has the distinction of being rated one of the Top 10 non-profits in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, one of the 50 best nonprofits to work for by the NonProfit Times, and one of the best non-profits to work for by Opportunity Knocks. Other awards include Fast Company Magazine’s Social Capitalist Award for innovative business model and social impact in 2005, 2007, and 2008. In 2009, the Harvard Business School published a case study on Year Up’s origins and success.

Application Instructions

Please upload a thoughtful cover letter and resume using our Careers Page.