"Director of Foundation Relations & Corporate Partnerships"

Job Details

Description:

Gardner-Webb University invites applications for a strategic, relationship-driven advancement professional to serve as Director of Foundation Relations and Corporate Partnerships. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Advancement, this position is responsible for leading corporate and foundation fundraising initiatives, fostering mission-aligned partnerships, and securing philanthropic investments that enhance university priorities, programs, and student success.

The Director will manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects, actively identify new funding opportunities, prepare competitive grant proposals, and steward donors through impact reporting and engagement strategies. This position works collaboratively across academic and administrative units to translate institutional priorities into compelling cases for support.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a comprehensive strategy for corporate and foundation giving to advance Gardner-Webb’s academic, student, and programmatic priorities.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects.
• Prepare and submit persuasive grant proposals, letters of inquiry, sponsorship requests, and supporting documents to corporate and foundation funders.
• Collaborate with faculty, deans, and administrators to gather information, align funding needs, and support interdisciplinary and university-wide initiatives.
• Track and monitor proposal deadlines, reporting requirements, and stewardship activities to ensure timely submissions and relationship continuity.
• Provide detailed impact and financial reports to funders in compliance with grant agreements.
• Organize campus visits, donor briefings, and recognition events for corporate and foundation partners.
• Stay current on trends in corporate and foundation philanthropy, higher education advancement, and regional/national funding landscapes.
• Maintain accurate records of activity and donor data in the university’s CRM system (Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 2-5 years of professional fundraising experience, with a strong preference for higher education philanthropy.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, grants, or sponsorships from corporate and foundation funders.
• Strong experience in writing grant proposals, sponsorship agreements, and cases for support tailored to diverse audiences.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred) and grant portals.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to prioritize multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with donor recognition, grant compliance, and stewardship best practices.
• Knowledge of trends and best practices in corporate and foundation giving.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-campus stakeholders, translating institutional priorities into fundable projects.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the capacity to present to groups and represent the university externally.

Compensation:

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience, with potential for performance-based incentives.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should complete the application and include a letter of interest, résumé, and names and contact information for at least three professional references with their submission.

Gardner-Webb University (gardner-webb.edu) is a coeducational, residential, private, historically Baptist, Christian institution, located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville-Spartanburg. The University offers 80+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 3,000 students. GWU is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral/Professional University. In 2023, Gardner-Webb was home to students from 93 counties in North Carolina, 44 US states, and 43 foreign countries. GWU is a NCAA Division I institution with 22 athletic teams and 460 student-athletes.