Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Samaritans

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE & FOUNDATION RELATIONS

Samaritans, Inc. | https://samaritanshope.org/

Samaritans, Inc. is the leading suicide prevention organization in Massachusetts, providing lifesaving services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Samaritans' purpose is to alleviate despair, isolation, distress and suicidal feelings among individuals in our community; to educate the public about suicide prevention; and to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. For over 40 years, Samaritans volunteers - selected, trained and supported by a dedicated professional staff - have provided compassionate and non-judgmental support free of charge for callers to its Helplines.

Samaritans' volunteers and staff now provide a full range of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention services through community education and outreach; a phone and text-based crisis service Helpline for those in distress; and grief support groups and personal visits which assist families impacted by a suicide loss in their grieving and healing process. This growing organization provides services that make our communities healthier and happier and provides a working environment that celebrates the positive and lifesaving work that occurs here each and every day.

Samaritans is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Candidates of color, bilingual, and bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 


ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations will be a key member of our growing, dynamic team of development professionals. Samaritans welcomes a talented development professional to help maximize engagement from the corporate and foundation philanthropic community throughout Massachusetts to support a multi-million dollar growth capital campaign, as well as the organization's annual programs and operations. This is a leadership position that will have the opportunity to forge new strong philanthropic partnerships and steward existing relationships with corporations and foundations to help Samaritans achieve its mission and program goals. This position works closely with the Chief Development Officer as well as program and event staff. Strong relationship management and writing experience with a proven track record of accessing 6-figure programmatic grants and sponsorships is required. This position will help leverage more than $1M annually from mission-aligned institutional supporters.

The ability to connect with the mission, vision and values of Samaritans is vital; familiarity with the issue of suicide prevention is a plus.

REPORTS TO: Chief Development Officer

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR: Proposal Writer (contract position)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Work strategically with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and development and event staff to set goals, priorities, and direction for corporate and foundation relations at Samaritans;
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization to identify needs, priorities, gaps in funding, and growth opportunities that have the potential to attract programmatic grant and sponsorship funding, including attending program and leadership staff meetings as needed;
  • Develop strategies, conduct research, and identify funding sources and prospects among foundations, mission-aligned corporations, and participants in our suicide prevention workshops;
  • Identify key decision-makers and supporters within prospective partner organizations; initiate and manage relationships;
  • Leverage board and volunteer leaders' assistance in opening doors, making introductions, and providing endorsements to support Samaritans' funding requests;
  • Build a strong business case and develop strategies and avenues for corporations to partner with us through programmatic grants or event sponsorships;
  • For event sponsors, encourage the greatest level of participation possible through excellence in prospect cultivation, donor stewardship, and effective solicitation. Fulfill sponsorship benefits as necessary in coordination with event staff;
  • Personally present case for funding and solicit support from corporate decision makers and foundation program officers and trustees;
  • Proactively reach out to engage prospective grant makers and event sponsors to deepen relationships; Attend corporate/foundation and community events to raise awareness of Samaritans programs and identify prospective funders;
  • Collaborate with and provide guidance and support to program and finance staff to develop budgets, craft goals, and set strategies for proposals;
  • Lead corporate/foundation site visits, meetings and other targeted contact with donors and prospects. Coordinate logistics, presentations, and participants that effectively conveys the impact of our work;
  • Manage the preparation and submission of concept papers/Letters of intent, proposals, attachments, and reports in a timely fashion, working with a contracted proposal writer. Ensure deadlines are met including lead time for review by program team members, finance, CDO, and others;
  • Participate in the success of the growth capital campaign to raise funding to scale Samaritans by capitalizing the strategic plan's goals; and
  • Contribute to development team and overall organizational team efforts; attend weekly

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday to Friday, Hybrid (2 days in the office and 3 days remote)

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Minimum 5-7 years of development experience with a proven track record of success, including at least 2 years outward-facing relationship management and 2 years of proposal writing experience;
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentation); Exceptional interpersonal skills: articulate, outgoing, engaging, and professional demeanor;
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with program staff and leadership;
  • Experience with corporate/foundation or donor solicitation and cultivation strategies;
  • Experienced writer, proofreader, and editor with ability to prepare clear and concise materials;
  • Strong research skills with ability to analyze funding requirements and align grant request with mission and priorities;
  • Strong grasp of budgets and financial information; experience developing program budgets;
  • Strong organizational, project management, problem solving, and time management skills, including attention to detail;
  • Expertise with Microsoft platform and software (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Sharepoint), CRM software such as Salesforce, online grant platforms/systems;
  • Ability to work with sensitive and confidential material;
  • Knowledge of the field of suicide and suicide prevention a plus.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Some travel may be required for meetings and events;
  • Flexibility in meeting demands and remaining positive during interactions is essential;
  • Flexibility in working hours appropriate for donor events is required;
  • Successfully completes the staff befriending training;
  • Operates independently but functions well as a member of a team;
  • Flexibility and ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment within a complex organization

STARTING SALARY & BENEFITS:

  • Starting at $90,000-$100,000
  • Employer matched 401(k) Plan
  • Short and Long-Term Disability coverage as well as Life Insurance
  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Healthcare and Childcare FSA, Commuter Benefits and Employee Assistance Program
  • Vacation, Sick and Personal time off plus Family Medical Leave benefits
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Direct deposit payroll

Samaritans' employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption. An offer is contingent upon proof that the candidate is fully vaccinated or qualifies for an exemption. Currently our office is re-open on a hybrid schedule with an average of 2 days per week in office, after a period of onboarding for new hires.

Out of state applicants will be required to relocate to Massachusetts within six months of employment and also work the same hybrid schedule as all employees.

*Please send your resume and cover letter addressed to the hiring manager, explaining your interest in the position, and how you learned about this opportunity. Applications that are missing a resume or cover letter may not be considered.