Grants Specialist-AKRON

Institutional Giving Specialist

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank offers a diverse workplace with professionals that work together to fulfill our mission in the fight to end hunger. We are seeking individuals who share and believe in our core values – compassion, collaboration, service, integrity, inclusion and innovation.

This role works in a fast-paced, dynamic department, supporting the proposal development and stewardship of grants from foundations and organizations. Primary responsibilities will include writing proposals for operational and established programmatic grants; prospect research of grant-making organizations; analysis to match prospects with projects and programs; maintenance of constituent data; preparation and submission of grant reports; and providing communications and media required of grantors.

The Specialist will work collaboratively within the Institutional Giving & Grants Team and Fund Development Team and will be expected to assist with the team's overall goals, which may include corporate and other grants upon request. The Specialist will maintain a $1 million portfolio with a high degree of care. Strong time management, organization and project management skills are essential for success in this position. Salary range: $53,000-$58,000 based upon experience. Shift: M-F, 8am-4pm

Job Responsibilities

• Proposal development, submission, stewardship and reporting for operating and programmatic gifts from institutional grant-makers.
• Stewardship for grant-making institutions including reporting grant outcomes to donors, scheduling meetings/tours with donors/trustees and recognizing donors in communications. Travel to the Foodbank's three locations required for stewardship activities.
• Assist in development and regular updates of an annual case for support for operating grant proposals.
• Maintain constituent data in Raiser's Edge to ensure the system reflects current and accurate information.
• Understand project budgets for which funding is sought, regularly update requested attachments to proposals, follow each grant-making organization's guidelines and keep in contact with grantors throughout the application process to answer questions or provide additional information.
• Utilization of grant prospecting tools to research potential donors and grant opportunities; summarization of prospect opportunities for Institutional Giving & Grants Team to evaluate feasibility and assignment.
• Collaborate with the Manager, Foundation and Government Relations to ensure proposals and reports are prepared and submitted within the expected timeframe.
• Perform other duties as needed to support the Fund Development team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Communications, English or Business.
• Three to five years of writing, marketing and/or communications experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to discern financial documents such as fundable program budgets.
• Ability to work independently and anticipate reporting and communication needs of supervisor and donors.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, requiring strong project and time management skills.
• Detail-oriented, customer service focused, highly organized and results driven.
• Occasionally available during off-hours for communications of all kinds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Teams and Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with donor database management software is a plus.
• Must be able to follow all American Institute of Baking, Feeding America, Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, Occupational Safety Hazard Administration and Foodbank (standard operating procedures and employee handbook) safety regulations.
• Commitment to understanding and supporting the Foodbank's mission, vision and activities to end food insecurity.
• Respect for the neighbors served by the Feeding America network and commitment to learn the causes of food insecurity.
• A positive, team-oriented mindset with a "can-do" approach to supporting the organization, demonstrating a collaborative attitude and focus on developing solutions.
• Ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes willingness to be open-minded about differing opinions and views.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear and/or use hands to finger, handle or touch objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds while moving files or small packages. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.