Posted on July 7, 2012

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Director of Foundation and Government Giving

About NYRP
New York Restoration Project (NYRP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and building a network of green spaces whose joint impact enhances environmental health and quality of life. We are committed to increasing green space in underserved areas and building a sense of ownership in the people who live in surrounding communities.

Position Summary
The Director of Foundation and Government Giving will lead the Foundation and Government Giving program, including support for restricted programs, major gifts, unrestricted general operating support and special events. The position will be responsible for the growth and expansion of foundation and government philanthropic support for NYRP.

He/she will report to the Senior Vice President of External Affairs, and work closely with the Board of Trustees and Executive Director of NYRP to lead the frontline fundraising staff and will serve as the leading strategist, while carrying a portfolio of select prospects and donors. The Director of Foundation and Government Giving will develop and execute a plan for the identification, qualification, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of foundation and government donors and prospects. The Director of Foundation and Government Giving will be accountable for the annual Foundation and Government Giving department goals and will direct both strategy and program implementation.

The successful candidate will be actively engaged in establishing long-term partnerships and strengthening existing relationships with the foundation and government philanthropy sector that will result in funding for the immediate and long-term goals of NYRP. The position provides the expertise to advance NYRP’s interests by researching and identifying potential sources of support; proactively seeking opportunities to generate new proposals based on foundation and government funding guidelines and interests; and by maintaining strong communication ties with foundation and government donors and prospects.

He/she will have a passion for NYRP’s mission and programs and will possess the poise to work with philanthropic leaders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive proactive development plan focused on expanding and enhancing foundation and government donor relationships by directing and coordinating activities related to obtaining foundation and government monetary support;
• Work closely with program staff, peer development directors in Corporate and Individual Giving, and other NYRP representatives to create opportunities to build awareness among foundation and government constituencies in order to build and significantly expand positive fund-raising relationships;
• Identify key contacts within foundations and government agencies and spotlight connections with other NYRP advocates including the Board of Trustees and Chairman’s Council;
• Advise staff on foundation and government agency areas of interest, cultivation and special requirements in the development and presentation of proposals;
• Initiate opportunities for the Executive Director, Trustees and Senior Staff to interact with foundation and government prospects;
• Work directly with the NYRP development directors and program staff to create new approaches to foundations and government agencies and coordinate these contacts to initiate the cultivation/fundraising process;
• Develop highly competitive proposals for foundation and government prospects and leverage diverse foundation and government goals and preferences in conjunction with NYRP goals;
• Maintain a rigorous schedule of contacts with foundation and government representatives, creating moves management plans related to them, compelling presentations and comprehensive fundraising proposals;
• Monitor proposal deadlines, write and edit proposals, and manage proposal submissions;
  Initiate a high-quality stewardship process for active foundation and government prospects and donors;
• Ensure that stewardship and reporting requirements are met to sustain successful partnerships by maintaining detailed records of solicitation activities;
• Coordinate the activity of occasional outside grant writers, as required.

Required Characteristics and Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will possess the following experience and attributes:
• Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques, particularly in the area of
• Foundation and government fundraising techniques required;
• Demonstrated ability in grant and proposal writing;
• Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices and procedures for obtaining information about the giving programs of foundations and government agencies;
• Self-motivation and discipline to regularly set and achieve work goals;
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and networking skills with large groups as well as with individuals are essential;
• Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances;
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective foundation and government donors, and interact via telephone and in person with institutional representatives;
• Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision;
• Demonstrated record of success in generating significant commitments from foundations and government agencies;
• A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years demonstrated successful foundation and government fundraising experience;
• Willingness and ability to engage in NYRP’s programmatic work in the field.

Reports to: Senior Vice President for External Affairs
Date posted: June 14, 2012
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Application Instructions

Interested individuals are encouraged to send a cover letter and resume by email to HR@nyrp.org or standard mail to 254 W. 31st Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10001.