Director, Institutional Funding

  • Full-time

Company Description

JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2.5 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers in chapters across the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement, and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter @JDRF.

As a JDRF team member, you can look forward to interesting and challenging work, building strong relationships with fellow staff and our network of volunteers, and having a meaningful impact on the lives of everyone affected by this devastating disease.

Job Description

Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Leadership Giving and Corporate Development, the Director of Institutional Funding will work closely with key members of the Research and Marketing & Communication teams to effectively execute the development of high-level restricted and unrestricted strategic gift proposals for JDRF.  While the position will have a particular focus on proposals for foundations and institutional prospects with an interest in JDRF, the position will cover a range of programs, including JDRF’s five core therapy areas: Artificial Pancreas, Beta Cell Encapsulation, Smart Insulin, Secondary Prevention and Restoration/Cure. 

The Director of Institutional Funding may also provide valuable support to additional areas of Leadership Giving, including drafting proposals and reports for family foundations, corporate foundations and individual donors, case statements and donor presentations, as well as detailed briefings in advance of senior-level meeting with funders.

Responsibilities

  • Develops deep understanding of the organization’s history, programs and core therapy areas.
  • Maintains an awareness of the changing international and political environment around the Type 1 Diabetes disease, community and pipeline of discovery research, translational development, regulatory and reimbursement issues therein.
  • Regularly attends Strategic Communications, Leadership Giving, Corporate Development and Research team meetings to develop relationships with communications/fundraising/research staff, share funding-related news and gather useful program updates for interested funders.
  • Manages a full range of activities required to prepare, write, and submit giving proposals and reports that are responsive to donor guidelines, including:
    • Gathers information from key staff to articulate project goals, activities, anticipated outcomes, successes, challenges, etc.
    • Writes/edits letters of intent and grant proposals for submission, including assembling all required documentation and budgets
    • Keeps key staff aware of upcoming deadlines and works with them to write/edit reports on existing gifts
    • Monitors donor gift restrictions and ensures fulfillment of proposal/reporting guidelines
    • Collaborates with the Strategic Communications team to ensure consistent, accurate, inspiring and engaging mission messaging/content is woven throughout all proposals/reports
    • Helps to maintain current records in CRM, including tracking/reporting submissions and other ongoing donor communications/cultivation efforts
    • Supports Leadership Giving and Corporate Development team writing needs, including, but not limited to:
      • Edits proposals and reports for team members
      • Supports senior staff with their funder writing needs
      • Helps to produce materials, such as donor briefings or Powerpoint slides in advance of important funder meetings
  • Assists with other Leadership Giving and Corporate Development related projects as needed

Qualifications

  • 7 years of work experience including 5 years direct experience in major gift/grant proposal writing and development for healthcare agency, nonprofit organization, pharmaceutical company or other science/technology related company.
  • Comfort collaborating with nationally-based staff by phone, email, Teams, etc.
  • Strong written communications skills with ability to write persuasive proposals.
  • Strong editing skills, including a comfort with helping staff communicate their work to donors in a clear and concise manner.
  • Strength in multi-tasking, goal-setting and workload prioritization.
  • Comfort in a deadline-driven environment.
  • Effective, collegial communicator who can collaborate with all levels of staff.
  • Ability to function effectively as team player.
  • Commitment to producing exceptional work product.
  • Professional integrity and ambition to effectively represent and promote JDRF externally at the highest levels in fundraising.
  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Communications or technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Information

To protect the health and safety of our employees, all employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have a COVID-19 booster shot regardless of location or position. This includes those with remote status. Requests for medical, religious, and other exemptions will be considered on an individual basis. JDRF will comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

JDRF values diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating an environment in which everyone feels welcomed, supported, and respected. JDRF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.