Grant and Annual Giving Specialist
The Grant and Annual Giving Specialist plays a pivotal role in driving fundraising efforts for the PACE Southeast Michigan Community Giving Fund by managing grant applications, cultivating donor relationships, and overseeing annual giving campaigns. This position requires a strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills, a keen attention to detail, and a passion for supporting our mission.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Grant Writing & Management
• Conceptualize projects that qualify for philanthropic funding, research, and gather information, write drafts, and obtain approvals and letters of support in professionally packaged proposals.
• Research funding sources and identifies potential community partners for grant proposals and projects.
• Gathers and coordinates proposal information and requirements with relevant PACE SEMI disciplines to ensure complete understanding of proposal, garners buy-in from relevant departments, and communicates potential risks associated with proposals.
• Oversees grant project management by identifying and working with discipline leaders and support staff to appropriately plan and implement grant program to ensure success.
• Prepares and monitors grant budgets, monitors grant expenditures for compliance with grant requirements, tracks results, and writes required stewardship reports meeting all deadlines.
Philanthropy
• Develops and maintains on-going relationships with prospects and donors who have the capacity to make philanthropic gifts at the level of $1,000 and up.
• Develop messaging to craft the case for support of financial donations.
• Works in partnership with the philanthropy team and philanthropy council to identify new sources of funding and new channels/events for fundraising.
• Host tours of the centers to build and maintain individual, corporate, and foundation interest.
• Persuasively communicates the organization's mission and programs to potential funders.
• Designs custom materials for fundraising events, volunteer recruitment, annual appeals, social media posts, etc.
• Collaborate closely with the development team, program staff, and leadership to ensure alignment between fundraising efforts and organizational goals.
• Provides ongoing donor stewardship.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information pertaining to PACE SEMI participants.
• Works in accordance with the Mission, Vision, Values, and Culture of PACE SEMI.
Education and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Minimum bachelor’s degree with emphasis on writing; preferably in journalism, communications, marketing, public administration, public health, political science, business, or related field.
• One - three years of experience with proposal writing and institutional donors required. Previous experience with fundraising with individuals preferred, including prospect solicitation and management.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills with significant experience in relationship management.
• Experience of responding to competing deadlines and managing multiple tasks and priorities within a fast-paced working environment, both independently and in a team-oriented, collaborative manner
• Highly organized.
• Proficient computer skills to include Microsoft Office Suite, CRM, donor databases, and websites.
• Knowledge of the Detroit philanthropic community and national foundations is an asset.
