Associate Director of Grants

Mar 20

Charleston Gaillard Center
Charleston, SC

Anticipated Start Date: March 31, 2025

Description

The Associate Director of Grants is responsible for strategically managing and growing the Charleston Gaillard Center’s current portfolio of corporations, foundations and government funders to sustain and increase support. The Associate Director of Grants will work to secure corporate gifts, sponsorships and grants.

This position assists with the strategic plan for grant-funded programs, writes grant proposals, builds relationships with corporate and foundation contacts, collaborates with finance to develop program budgets and collaborates with the Charleston Gaillard Center staff and the Rivers Performance Hall staff to report outcomes to funders, internal and external audiences. The Associate Director of Grants will be the first line of writing about the Charleston Gaillard Center’s artistic and education programs that will be used by marketing and the President’s office to advance the Gaillard’s programs. This position will report to the Vice President of Development.

Responsibilities

Responsible for all Corporate Gifts, Sponsorships and Grant Applications

Working in collaboration with the Education department, the Programming department, the Vice President for Charitable Giving and CEO, this position will assist in developing and implementing the strategic plan for a comprehensive Institutional funding program
Develop and manage the Corporate Gifts, Sponsorships and Grant application and reporting calendar, as well as managing the revenue pipeline
Research and write foundation grant proposals, including budgets and all related materials
Proactively build relationships with vendors to secure mutually beneficial relationships

Responsible for Institutional Reporting and Stewardship

Manage reporting process for grants received, prepare timeline and tracking system for proposals, prepare and distribute status reports
Ensure gift and sponsorships agreements are fulfilled including gift restrictions, budget and outcomes reporting, recognition, donor benefits, and any other agreed upon criteria
Draft routine and complex correspondence to corporate contacts and foundation program officers, including acknowledgements, letters of inquiry and follow up if an application is declined
Working collaboratively with the Associate Director of Advancement Services, create tools and mechanisms to measure the impact of existing and future programs
Ensure that current evaluation methods and data systems accurately capture impact and allow for growth

Responsible for Institutional Prospecting to Grow the Prospect Pipeline

Identify funding needs by seeking input from key stakeholders, such as Directors and Leadership Team
Engage key non-profit partners in the region to maximize selected opportunities for increased impact
Examine the national landscape for potential funders – private and public
Respond to potential leads in a timely manner

Responsible for Donor Engagement

Cultivate foundation supporters (such as foundation officers, foundation trustees, program officers) and other prospects through phone calls, email communication, handwritten notes, face-to-face meetings, and onsite tours
Working with Marketing, seek opportunities to share and present finding of the Gaillard’s impact on the community Responsible for Building a Collaborative Working Culture across the Charleston Gaillard Center and the Rivers Performance Hall Foundation
Demonstrates leadership in department meetings, ensures team members are following departmental procedures and practices including data entry into Raiser’s Edge and Spektrix.
Participate in overall strategic planning and support achievement of goals for all Gaillard Center fundraising, program marketing, public relations and communication efforts.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required
4 - 6 years of experience in successfully securing funding for a performing arts organization
Organized and motivated self-starter and team-player with proven gift management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication/presentation and interpersonal skills; close attention to details. A writing sample will be required before the interview process.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products – specifically, Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook. Experience or ability to learn Raiser’s Edge and Spektrix Databases

Skills and Knowledge Required

Expertise in grants management
Strong writing, analytical, and organizational skills
Knowledgeable of current grant lifecycle management best practices
Proficient in building and managing budgets effectively
Strong relationship and collaboration skills
Thrives in a metrics-driven environment.
Possess the highest standard of personal and professional integrity
Ability to initiate, grow and sustain meaningful professional relationships among colleagues and constituents to maximize philanthropic support and fulfill agency’s mission.
Trustworthy/able to maintain confidence in all matters
Ability to prepare and present motivational, informational and successful presentations to various organizations and individuals

Pre-Employment Requirements