Washington, DC

Corporate & Foundation Relations Officer, Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School

The Organization

Founded in 1986, Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School’s (CBOBS) mission is to change lives through challenge and discovery.  Outward Bound is an international educational movement dedicated to the idea that people are capable of far more than they know.  As the first urban Outward Bound school in the United States, CBOBS is committed to providing transformational experiences to a diverse group of youth and adults through one-day programs, virtual programs, and multi-day expeditions.

To meet this goal, CBOBS raises over 2 million dollars annually to increase the accessibility and reduce the cost of programming for schools and students in our community.  CBOBS has locations in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.

For more information, please visit www.outwardboundchesapeake.org.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Corporate & Foundation Relations Officer (CFRO) is a new, vital role on the CBOBS development team. Specific responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporations, public and private foundations, and government agencies in the greater Washington, DC region including Maryland and northern Virginia (DMV). This is a frontline fundraising position; and the CFRO will strategically match prospective funders with CBOBS funding priorities and oversee the submission of and reporting on all proposals, grants, and budgets.  This position will work primarily out of CBOBS’ Washington, DC location.

Responsibilities

Corporate & Foundation Fundraising

  • Implement, and manage a comprehensive proactive development plan focused on expanding and enhancing corporate and foundation relationships to increase philanthropic revenue;
  • Research corporate and foundation prospects and draft compelling letters of inquiry to assist in the successful solicitation of five- and six-figure philanthropic commitments to support CBOBS’s mission and programs;
  • Conduct meetings and personal visits with corporate and foundation executives/staff to explore and cultivate their interest in supporting CBOBS;
  • Develop customized presentations to corporations and foundations to foster their support and offer value-added recognition opportunities consistent with CBOBS policies;
  • Draft highly competitive proposals for corporate and foundation prospects including budget and collateral materials for timely grant submission;
  • Maintain a schedule of contacts with foundation and corporate representatives, creating moves management plans as appropriate;
  • Execute meaningful recognition of new and long-term corporate and foundation partners;
  • Implement an effective stewardship process for corporate and foundation funders;
  • Ensure that all deliverables and reporting requirements are met to sustain successful partnerships by maintaining detailed records of solicitation activities in the database of record, Salesforce; and
  • Develop and administer budgets for corporate/foundation relations program.

Management & Collaboration

  • Work closely with the CBOBS development, program team, and Finance & Administration Director to communicate and share information and ensure accurate record keeping and fulfilment and reporting of project deliverables;
  • Develop productive relationships with the CBOBS program team to access their expertise in shaping programmatic grant proposals and keep them apprised of outcomes;
  • Work collaboratively with the Development Coordinator to identify prospects, coordinate budget reporting, and maintain professional contact at key stages of the grant process; and
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

The First 12 Months: Leadership Priorities
The overall priorities for the first year for the CRFO are to:

  • Build strong and productive relationships with the Chief Advancement Officer, the development team, and CBOBS colleagues;
  • Gain an in-depth knowledge of CBOBS and a thorough familiarity with its programs;
  • Build a highly productive portfolio of corporate and foundation donors and prospects in collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer;
  • Develop and execute strategic initiatives for each corporation, foundation and government agency prospect/funder including cultivation and solicitation strategies and ongoing stewardship;
  • Create a comprehensive plan to meet established metrics including meaningful interactions, proposals, and solicitations and closing goals;
  • Contribute towards fundraising efforts to meet Development team’s annual fundraising goal;
  • Work collaboratively with the CBOBS development team to build a culture of philanthropy that enhances the financial resourcing of the organization for the short-and long-term; and
  • Provide recommendations on and assist in development of collateral materials for the corporate and foundation fundraising program.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution plus seven (7) years of relevant work experience or the equivalent in education, training and experience.
  • Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies and techniques, particularly in the area of corporate and foundation fundraising techniques, is required, as is a successful track record of developing and presenting complex proposals to corporate and institutional funders leading to significant commitments.
  • Demonstrated experience and track record of securing five-figure gifts.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of methods, practices and procedures for obtaining information about the giving programs of corporations and foundations and the ability to take primary responsibility for diverse projects and complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision.
  • Excellent oral, written and research skills and be able to develop strong and productive relationships with funding sources through personal meetings, email, and telephone contact.
  • Ability to use sound judgment, poise and diplomacy in negotiating relationships and knowledge of “best practices” in corporate and foundation development.
  • Ability to be self-motivated and disciplined to set and achieve work goals, work independently and collaboratively, handle multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.
  • Proficiency in using MS Office suite and experience with CRM databases.  Familiarity with Salesforce is preferred.
  • Uphold values consistent with the CBOBS mission.
  • Moderate regional travel required. May include evening/weekend work activity.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: Pay will be commensurate with experience.

Benefits:

  • Employer contribution of 75% for Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance through CareFirst BlueChoice for the employee and their children, if applicable
  • Fifteen (15) days of Paid Time Off (PTO) which accrue per pay period
  • Ten (10) paid holidays
  • 401(k) with a match.  Employees are eligible for participation after 1 year of employment.  Current match is 6% of the employee’s salary
  • Long-term disability, short-term disability, AD&D insurance, as well as, a $25,000 life insurance policy at no cost to the employee
  • Pre-tax Saving Cafeteria Plan: Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Pre-tax Commuter/Transit Benefits
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Aflac Supplemental Insurance
Pro Deals: Discounts from outdoor industry vendors for outdoor professionals

TO APPLY:
Please send a cover letter and resume addressed to Phyllis Kim, Chief Advancement Officer to jobs@outwardboundchesapeake.org.  Resume review will begin immediately and be ongoing.

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