Grants & Development Communications Manager

The Grants & Development Communications Manager secures and increases philanthropic support from corporations and foundations though grant applications; executes foundation and corporate grant cultivation, stewardship, and reporting cycles; tracks current grant funding; researches and conducts exploratory opportunities with new foundations to increase capacity; and increases the awareness of Girl Scout programs and their impact. This includes a focus on maintaining and building a portfolio of foundations, corporations, government institutions, and United Ways. As a voice of the organization, the Grants & Development Communications Manager will also provide strategy and guidance, and support execution of all fund development communications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and implement strategies to grow philanthropy from corporations and foundations by creating marketing materials, white papers, and standardized grant language while regularly updating materials based on new outcomes and best practices. 
• Maintain and grow a portfolio of corporate and foundation donors. Develop and submit compelling letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and in-kind requests, as well as reports and stewardship materials. 
• Act as the liaison and point of contact between the program implementor and funder to ensure clear communication, expectations, and follow-through Lead corporate and foundation donor visits with key staff. 
• Monitor and manage the grant strategy, prospect pipeline, and progress to fundraising team goals. 
• Provide cross-team strategy and narrative guidance on large-scale foundation proposals, sponsorships, signature fundraising events, and other fundraising initiatives. 
• Collaborate with the department designee(s) (finance, operations, etc.) to create and report on budgets and applicable program narratives to support grant proposals. Work with staff to ensure each project or program is meeting proposal conditions and expectations. 
• Write and consult on all collateral created for development purposes including, but not limited to, grant applications, appeals, sponsorship proposals, scripts/speech writing, fundraising marketing materials, and emails. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the success of River Valleys’ plan of work and strategic plan by participating in events, initiatives, and/or serving on staff and volunteer teams as required or requested. 
• When representing the council to both internal and external audiences, articulate GSRV’s desired image and position to all audiences. 
• Support the council’s commitment to diversity of girls, volunteers, and staff and conduct all activities with a high degree of cultural competency. 
• Contribute to building a cohesive, flexible, and productive staff environment that demonstrates the values and mission of Girl Scouts and delivers high-quality customer service. 
• Subscribe to the principles of the Girl Scout Movement. 
• Become a registered member of GSUSA.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field with at least three to five years of development experience in a non-profit setting; or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge. 
• Experience writing compelling fundraising materials. 
• Experience conducting research, collecting and reviewing relevant data, analyzing reports, identifying trends, and reporting results. 
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors, including developing and cultivating donor relationships. 
• Experience managing projects with a diverse group of individuals, ensuring successful and timely completion of tasks.

GIRL SCOUTS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK BECAUSE:

• We offer a starting market rate salary of $54,200. 
• Our benefits are unmatched – 403b match up to 8%, health and dental insurance, generous PTO, 12 weeks of paid family leave, an infants-at-work program, life and disability insurance paid on your behalf, staff development opportunities, and more. 
• We are committed to being an anti-racist organization with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice. 
• Our staff is deeply committed to championing our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Location:

This position is based out of St. Paul or a hybrid arrangement with the employee being remote in Rochester with some days during the month in St. Paul.