Foundation Gift Officer

The Cleveland Orchestra is seeking a Foundation Gift Officer who is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of foundation funders to establish new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships that will result in philanthropic support for The Cleveland Orchestra. This position will also have responsibility for the solicitation and stewardship of government funding entities. This role provides expertise to advance the Orchestra’s interests by researching and identifying sources of support, proactively seeking opportunities to generate new proposals based on funding guidelines and interests, and maintaining strong relationship ties with program officers and foundation boards.

The Foundation Gift Officer is one of four individuals who constitute the Orchestra’s Institutional Giving Team that raises approximately $5.5 million in annual support and some $3 million dollars from the State of Ohio on a biennial cycle for capital projects.

The Orchestra’s Foundation portfolio is more than $2 million in funding from nearly 75 foundations of all types and sizes. The Foundation Gift Officer manages a robust portfolio that includes family and community foundations that provide annual operating, project, and special campaign support. This Gift Officer also collaborates with the Director of Institutional Giving to assist in managing some $1.5 million in funding from the Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, and Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs.

Position responsibilities include the following:

Fundraising & Portfolio Management (approximately 80% of time)

• Develop a comprehensive plan for achieving or exceeding annual fundraising goals from foundation funders and government entities assigned to the Gift Officer’s portfolio; implementation plan will include a variety of activities to complete the donor giving cycle including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Work collaboratively with P&A colleagues on special campaigns as required.
• Serve as project manager to collaborate with colleagues across the organization on all activities related to writing and submitting grant applications; meeting reporting requirements; and cultivating and stewarding existing and new funding prospects.    Examples include:
  • Convene colleagues to develop new or update existing programs that will be submitted for grant funding
  • Engage in regular communications with staff in Education & Community Engagement, Marketing, Communications, Finance, senior leadership, and board trustees to gain a detailed understanding of annual operating goals, program strategies, and concert and event schedules
  • Provide guidance regarding evaluation outcomes and meeting funder impact and reporting requirements
• Plan and implement a grant funding research strategy to identify and qualify local, national, and international foundation funders. Funding research must be a regular and ongoing activity of Foundation Gift Officer and her/his Institutional Giving colleagues.
• Identify, communicate with, and staff TCO board members who can contribute to successful foundation relationships and applications.
• Coordinate opportunities for stewarding and hosting constituency groups with the P&A Events team and engage in regular communications with funders and program officers.
• Maintain updated information on prospects and donors in the organization’s donor database, Tessitura.

Administration & Other (approximately 20% of time)

• Maintain all federal and state government registration requirements for The Cleveland Orchestra related to submitting federal and state grants through online portals such as SAM and ARTIE.
• Participate in two concert duty shifts per month (estimated)
• Develop and maintain a robust working relationship with the Education and Community Outreach staff through regular communications and attending community events hosted by the Orchestra.
• Keep informed about best and emerging practices within the grant funding sector as well as foundation funding trends. Share information with P&A leadership and other internal stakeholders as needed.
• Participate in cross-department and all staff meetings and projects as requested.
• Develop skills needed to actively use Tessitura.

The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required with a minimum of five years of experience in non-profit grant writing. Experience as a grants manager highly desirable.
• Ability to successfully submit and secure grant funding.
• Strong project management experience that includes problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization.
• Superior interpersonal skills to successfully interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written.
• Outstanding organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated independent, mature judgment.
• Ability to consistently maintain a professional image and demeanor.
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member.
• Ability to successfully prioritize to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, primarily Word and Excel; knowledge of Tessitura Database a plus.
• Must be able to travel between locations (Severance Hall and Blossom Music Center) and to local and/or regional meetings and events.
• Must be able to work evening and weekend hours and holidays as needed.

We offer a competitive salary, generous medical and dental plan benefits, 403(b) plan with employer match, and the opportunity to work with a world-renowned Orchestra.

The Cleveland Orchestra is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that strongly supports and values diversity and fosters an equitable and inclusive work environment which includes accommodation. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome, and individuals from all equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should apply on our website at https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/contact/auditions-careers/careers/