Seattle, WA

Institutional Giving Officer, KUOW- FM

The Organization

Our mission: To create and serve a more informed public.

Our vision: Broaden conversations. Deepen understanding.

A BETTER FUTURE BEGINS WITH AN INFORMED PUBLIC.

KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio is Seattle’s NPR news station. We are an independent, nonprofit news organization that produces award-winning journalism, innovative podcasts, engaging community events and more.

Our work is about truth. We were founded with the idea that everyone should have free access to honest, fact-checked information – as well as stories that broaden conversations and deepen understanding of the world around us. We work every day in service of our mission to create and serve a more informed public, because we believe an informed public is essential to a thriving community, a vibrant democracy, and a better future.

We are one of the nation’s founding NPR member stations, broadcasting from the Puget Sound region continually since 1952. KUOW acknowledges that we occupy the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands of the Coast Salish people.

OUR COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY

Racial equity work is critical to achieving our mission of creating and serving a more informed public. As a public institution, we must serve our entire community – not just a subset – and that requires challenging the way KUOW and public media have operated. Achieving racial equity in our programming and in our workplace is a comprehensive process that requires transformation in ways of thinking, ways of doing, and accountability to our colleagues and the public we serve. Learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion at KUOW > 

OUR FUNDING

KUOW is a community-funded public service. More than 90% of our funding comes from individual contributors and local business supporters who share our belief that an informed public makes our community stronger. The vast majority of KUOW’s revenue goes directly into our local, national and international programming. Learn more about our funding and the impact of community supporters in our latest Impact Report.

Position Overview

KUOW is looking for an extraordinary researcher, writer, and connector to serve as their first-ever Institutional Giving Officer. The values of Trust, Integrity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will guide you in cultivating new and creative partnerships with institutions who share our values and KUOW’s deep commitment to truth, community, and storytelling.

The successful candidate will have successfully written winning proposals which led to 6-7 figure donations from corporations, foundations, and/or government organizations. In this role, you will identify, cultivate, and solicit multi-year commitments from institutions who share not just our values but our drive to have meaningful impact on the land we share. In this role, you will be responsible for the creation and management of a well-coordinated, strategic development plan to cultivate and solicit support from institutions in our listening area and beyond, one which aligns with KUOW’s strategic plans. This position works to establish long-term partnerships, strengthen existing relationships, and initiate new connections with like-minded socially responsible organizations.

We are looking for someone who is dynamic, motivated, and creative. The Officer will have the ability and freedom to work both independently and collaboratively with a team of fundraisers and content creators dedicated to raising awareness around climate change, racial equity, arts and culture, fact-based journalism and so much more.

KUOW staff enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the University of Washington to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years.

KUOW and the University of Washington are equal opportunity employers. KUOW is dedicated to building a culturally and ethnically diverse staff and creating a working environment that promotes racial equity and inclusiveness. We believe attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission. Women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities and veterans are highly encouraged to apply.

This position is responsible for the development and implementation of a corporate, foundation and government engagement program that aligns with KUOW’s goals while engaging, maintaining, and promoting lifelong relationships with institutions committed to community and fact-based journalism.

The Institutional Giving Officer will participate in the development and promotion of engagement opportunities which lead to financial support of and a deep connection with KUOW. Optimally partnerships will include unique engagements between KUOW, our audience and supporters, and institutions that further deepen loyalty while demonstrating more broadly KUOW’s commitment to community. This role will aid in the creation and execution of a plan for management of all institutional relationships.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development and Management

  • In close collaboration with the Director of Philanthropy, leads on the design and implementation of an annual engagement and fundraising plans for institutions.
  • Identifies entities whose philanthropic priorities and values align with KUOW, researching their giving behaviors, stated priorities, grant requirements and past community engagements.
  • Develops strategic engagement plans for existing and prospective institutional donors and their representatives.
  • Collaborates with KUOW leadership and content teams to deeply understand the programmatic priorities and initiatives of the station.
  • Writes and submits funding proposals grounded in KUOW’s programmatic priorities. Proposals and requisite follow-up are submitted according to each institutions’ specifications/ and requirements.
  • Records and maintains supremely accurate record of inbound and outbound communications with institutions and their representatives.
  • Prepares annual budgets for corporate and foundation income and expense.
  • Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on engagements and outcomes with corporate and foundation prospects and existing partners.
  • Creatively collaborates with KUOW’s Business Support, Membership, Marketing and Major Gift teams to maximize the value and depth of KUOW’s collaborations with institutional partners.
  • Satisfies all reporting requirements of institutional partnerships, with an emphasis on the impact of their support on KUOW programming and the communities we serve.
  • Creates, continuously updates, and maintains a schedule of funding opportunities by institutions.

Frontline Fundraising

  • Initiates, nurtures, and deepens relationships with institutions with the intention of securing multi-year financial support for KUOW programming.
  • Meets with institutional representatives to initiate, cultivate, strengthen, and grow relationships and financial support.
  • Attends virtual and in-person KUOW events.
  • Attends and contributes to our institutional partners’ events, receptions, and meetings as a representative of KUOW.

Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred and at least 3 years prior experience researching, engaging with, stewarding, and soliciting financial support from institutions.
  • Equivalent combination of comparable knowledge and skills may substitute for education.
  • Superior writing skills with demonstrated history of proposal writing for varied propositions and engagements with organizations.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate successfully in writing, by phone and in person.
  • Proven ability to work professionally, collegially, and effectively with donors or other constituents, colleagues, and the public.
  • Ability to work independently, problem solve, take initiative, and handle multiple projects and deadlines in an organized and professional manner.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented setting and commitment to aiding colleagues within and outside the bounds of Philanthropy.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

  • Familiarity with and appreciation of public radio programming.
  • Working knowledge of databases desirable, specifically Salesforce.
  • Multi-lingual.

How To Apply

The University of Washington and KUOW have retained Livingston Associates to assist in this search. For consideration, please submit a letter of introduction and a resume by following this link.

Inquiries are welcome with Livingston Associates at (410) 243-1974.

Applicants who are selected to proceed with this search will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

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