Foundation and Institutional Gift Officer

ABOUT US 

Discovery Place (DP) brings science, nature, and design together to create transformative experiences that enable our community to understand, enjoy and apply science to their lives. Operating four museums in the greater Charlotte, NC metropolitan area, serving more than 700,000 people a year through Museum visits, interactive in-school educational programming and community outreach initiatives. Founded in 1946, Discovery Place is shaping a future where people embrace science to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems and bring positive change for our world. Come science with us! 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Foundation and Institutional Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of foundation and institutional supporters, developing and driving strategies to achieve priority fundraising goals with a focus on private and family foundations and institutional partners. The FIGO is an experienced grant writer with a track record of success in working with a variety of foundation funding sources in ways that align organizational objectives with donor intent and strategy. The FIGO is responsible for identifying and cultivating new funding opportunities and drafting and submitting proposals to ensure a strong base of perpetual financial support. Reporting to the Director of Corporate and Institutional Giving, the FIGO will work with the Chief Advancement Officer and Corporate and Institutional Gifts Team to build relationships with a strong portfolio of partners and will successfully engage new prospects via intentional outreach and relationship management. Professionalism, follow-through, and passion for relationship-building are key to this critical position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary grant writer for foundation proposals. Lead the preparation and submission of LOIs, proposals, and funding applications for current and prospective funders. Responsible for all reporting and other sponsorship or stewardship elements required.
• Build and manage a portfolio of constituents, including existing donors, lapsed donors, and prospective new supporters and partners.
• Increase total revenue in the foundation and institutional channels. Contribute to strategic planning for partnership development. Create and implement an accountability work plan based on fundraising goals.
• Conduct research and prepare briefings supporting external engagement efforts. Advise on engagement strategy and coordinate communications.
• In partnership with the Corporate and Institutional Team, create a systematic approach for recognizing and stewarding donors and partners.
• Work collaboratively across museums, departments, programs, and leadership to help achieve fundraising success.
• Use Sales Force and other technology tools to track and manage donor/prospect portfolios and monitor individual results toward fundraising goals. Adhere to timely reporting of results to ensure the accuracy of the fundraising pipeline and year-end projection forecasts.

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND WORK DUTIES:

• Perform other duties as needed from time to time may be determined necessary for the well-being of the total operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• 3+ years of experience working in one or more of the following: professional fundraising experience, corporate relations, foundation relations, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• A problem-solving, can-do attitude with excellent planning and prioritizing skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, balance multiple projects simultaneously, and meet performance and fundraising goals.
• Nurture strong staff relationships to navigate complex internal discussions to maximize the impacts of fundraising on the mission, regardless of the individual program benefit.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with strong proofreading abilities. Maintain diplomacy and confidentiality with donor information.

• Ability to work as a team member and independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, results-oriented environment.
• Understands how to prioritize multiple competing projects and demands. Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner. Meets challenges with resourcefulness.
• Displays a “team player” attitude and upholds the core values of Discovery Place.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends as required for departmental/institutional events.
• Follows policies and procedures. Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time.
• Assists in achieving department goals and objectives.
• Ability to travel to Museum locations (Charlotte, Huntersville, Rockingham).
• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift boxes up to 20 lbs.
• Must be able to drive or have transportation to our other Museum locations (Charlotte, Huntersville, and Rockingham).
• Walking, standing, and sitting during the day at various locations.

Discovery Place Guiding Values: 

SCIENCE LEADS US 

We are "learn-it-all’s." If we don't know the answer to something, we ask questions, conduct research, create hypotheses and experiment. We know science is powerful and it can be used to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems and bring positive change in our world. 

INTEGRITY GUIDES US  

We bring our best selves to work each day and treat each other with respect, communicate honestly and openly, and hold each other accountable for living our values. As employees of Discovery Place, we're committed to living our values, however, we know none of us are perfect. When we see a teammate 

drift away from our values, we provide grace and a gentle reminder and keep moving forward - together. 

EQUITY DRIVES US 

Diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are part of our DNA. All teammates and departments are treated equitably and held to the same standards. We find more value  

working together to leverage diverse knowledge and experience; we know the group is always smarter than the individual. 

INNOVATION ENERGIZES US 

We always have our eye on the future and seek to make a bigger impact on our community. We’re consistently innovating. Have a light bulb moment? Share it! No matter your role, everyone is encouraged to innovate. We learn from our failures and celebrate our successes. After all, that is what science is all about. 

https://discoveryplace.org/ 

Give to the Campaign for a New Nature Museum (naturecampaign.org) 

https://kids.discoveryplace.org/huntersville 

https://kids.discoveryplace.org/rockingham