Grants and Relationships Manager

at  Berea College

SUMMARY:

The Grants and Relationships Manager supports the activities of the department of Corporate, Foundation, and Family Relations, with specific focus on managing foundation reports and successfully soliciting foundations and corporations in support of College-targeted initiatives. This position works with the Director to ensure processes result in maintaining and strengthening organization relationships while sustaining high-quality collaboration with internal stakeholders. The Manager will connect corporate and foundation prospects to the College by creating compelling communications and through providing direct engagement with organizations and their networks.

EDUCATION REQUIRED TO ENSURE SUCCESS IN THIS POSITION:

Bachelor’s in Communications, English, Journalism, Business or related degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO ENSURE SUCCESS IN THIS POSITION:

A minimum of three years of professional writing experience
Familiarity with grant management and budgeting processes

SPECIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Understanding of the U.S. private philanthropy landscape as it relates to foundation and corporate philanthropy and higher education, or related knowledge and willingness to learn
Understanding and appreciation for the Great Commitments of Berea College
Evidence of proficiency in grammar and the mechanics of professional writing, including ability to write for different audiences and in others’ voices and ability to identify compelling and appropriate narratives
Evidence of successful project management and execution, particularly in a deadline-driven environment with multiple key stakeholders
Ability to conduct organization research and to apply findings to cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans independently and in collaboration with others.
Ability to operate office equipment and full working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel and Adobe Pro as well as knowledge of donor databases, Foundation Directory and other online resources

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to sit and work at computer for extended periods of time
Ability to read, write and edit copy on a computer
Ability to communicate in person, by phone, by computer
Ability to maneuver around campus
Ability to lift 25 lbs.

TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY, AN INDIVIDUAL MUST BE ABLE TO PERFORM EACH ESSENTIAL DUTY SATISFACTORILY. THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND/OR ABILITY REQUIRED. REGULAR AND PREDICTABLE ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

Execute and/or manage strategies for building and maintaining relationships with foundations, corporations, and other networks, including:
Writing and editing novel and niche communications for our office
Promoting volunteer engagement through niche events
Participating in organization visits and travel as designated
Supporting proposal development and outcomes reporting
Conducting occasional mailings and/or electronic communications
Develop accurate and compelling informational content for external audiences from a wide array of campus resources (donor correspondence, Web, pre-recorded or self-conducted interviews, contacts with faculty and staff), both independent of and on theme with existing language
Manage CFFR’s participation in collaborative efforts to develop and submit 40 or more proposals for new or renewed support annually, including setting ask amounts, providing feedback on content, and ensuring alignment with funder guidelines (including deadlines).
Contribute to reports and updates for the VP and Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations on departmental activities.

OTHER ROLES/DUTIES WILL BE ASSIGNED AS NECESSARY TO ASSIST THE COLLEGE IN THE ATTAINMENT OF THE GOALS SET FORTH AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF A POSITIVE, RESPECTFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL STAFF, FACULTY AND STUDENTS.

Founded in 1855, Berea College achieved national distinction as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls 1,600 students from 43 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them a no-tuition promise, valued at more than $178,000. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive yet demanding academic environment, and many are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only nine federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College was again named one of the nation’s “Best Institutions for Undergraduates to Earn their College Degree” in the 2022 edition of The Princeton Review’s book, The Best 387 Colleges. Berea also appeared on four other lists within the publication: Best Colleges in the Southeast; Best Value Colleges; Best Green Colleges; and Tuition Free Schools. Berea College is ranked #148 by The Princeton Review – the highest-ranked Kentucky college, and the #3 “Best Value College” in the nation. Berea is one of only two private institutions ranked in the Top 10 for Value in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education (THE) 2022 College Rankings. The Washington Monthly ranks Berea College #13 among the nation’s liberal arts colleges, recognizing Berea for maintaining “consistently high rankings thanks to their economic diversity, relatively strong graduation rates, and commitment to meeting students’ financial need.” U.S. News and World Report Rankings lists Berea as #30 among National Liberal Arts Colleges, including ranking Berea #1 in Service Learning, #2 for Most Innovative Schools, #3 in Co-ops/Internships, #4 in First-year Experiences, and tied for #13 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.
Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu.
Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.
Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application!
Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.