Development Director, Griffiss Institute

Develop a comprehensive understanding of Griffiss Institute's mission, strategic priorities, programs, and funding opportunities.  

Build trusted relationships with executive leadership, Board members, community leaders, corporate partners, foundations, and philanthropic prospects.  

Develop and actively manage a qualified donor portfolio aligned with organizational priorities.  

Implement a sustainable donor management framework that includes prospect identification, qualification, moves management, stewardship, reporting, and performance measurement.  

Establish consistent fundraising reporting and donor communications that support leadership decision-making.  

Create repeatable fundraising processes that support long-term organizational growth.   

Develop short- and long-term performance measures for donor engagement, pipeline development, and philanthropic growth aligned with Griffiss Institute's strategic objectives.  

Expand philanthropic support through unrestricted giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation investments, and future campaign initiatives.  

Increase donor retention through intentional stewardship and relationship management.  

Demonstrate measurable growth in the qualified donor pipeline and philanthropic activity.  

Strengthen philanthropy as an organizational capability by engaging executive leadership, staff, and the Board in donor engagement and relationship development.  

Position Griffiss Institute's Foundation for long-term philanthropic sustainability.  

Relationship Development  

Develop and manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects aligned with Griffiss Institute's philanthropic priorities.  

Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors whose philanthropic interests align with Griffiss Institute's mission.  

Develop individualized engagement and solicitation strategies that strengthen donor relationships and increase philanthropic investment.  

Represent Griffiss Institute at donor meetings, community events, conferences, and networking opportunities.  

Maintain an active schedule of prospect cultivation, donor visits, solicitations, and stewardship activities.  

Build and sustain relationships that encourage continued philanthropic engagement and long-term organizational support.  

Implement and continually refine Griffiss Institute's philanthropic strategy in alignment with Blueprint 2030 and organizational priorities.  

Establish annual fundraising objectives, performance measures, and implementation plans.  

Identify opportunities to diversify philanthropic revenue through unrestricted giving, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation support, planned giving, and future campaign initiatives.  

Evaluate fundraising performance using established metrics and recommend adjustments that strengthen results and organizational sustainability.  

Monitor philanthropic trends, donor interests, and emerging opportunities, providing recommendations that align philanthropic investment with Griffiss Institute's mission and strategic priorities.  

Lead the ongoing development of Griffiss Institute's fundraising operations.  

Refine and manage prospect management systems, donor stewardship practices, fundraising metrics, reporting processes, and operational workflows.  

Maintain accurate donor records and ensure consistent use of fundraising technology and reporting tools.  

Develop recommendations that strengthen fundraising effectiveness and organizational efficiency.  

Executive Leadership and Board Partnership  

Partner with executive leadership and the Board members to identify prospective donors, facilitate introductions, support cultivation efforts, and strengthen philanthropic engagement.  

Prepare executive leadership and Board members for donor meetings, cultivation strategies, and solicitation activities.  

Provide regular reporting on fundraising performance, donor pipeline activity, and relationship development.  

Support Board members in fulfilling their role in philanthropy through relationship development, introductions, cultivation, and stewardship.  

The Director of Philanthropy is not responsible for organizational governance, endowment investment management, spending policy, or financial stewardship decisions related to invested charitable assets.  

Promote a culture in which philanthropy is understood as a shared organizational opportunity.   

Partner with program and marketing staff to identify and communicate meaningful stories, outcomes, and impact that strengthen donor stewardship and long-term engagement.  

Collaborate across the organization to identify funding opportunities and communicate program outcomes that strengthen donor engagement.  

Represent Griffiss Institute with professionalism and integrity in all interactions.  

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.  

Demonstrated success building or significantly strengthening a philanthropy or fundraising program, including strategy development, fundraising operations, donor engagement, and performance measurement.   

Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic relationships with individuals, corporations, foundations, and strategic partners, resulting in significant charitable investment and sustained engagement.   

Experience utilizing donor relationship management (CRM) systems and fundraising technology to support prospect management, stewardship, reporting, and organizational decision-making.  

Strong relationship management, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.  

Experience working collaboratively with senior leadership and governing boards.  

Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and organizational accountability.  

Willingness to travel as needed for donor cultivation and organizational representation.  

Advanced degree or professional credentials such as CFRE or equivalent.  

Experience leading or significantly expanding a philanthropy program.  

Knowledge of major gifts, corporate philanthropy, foundation fundraising, planned giving, and campaign strategy.  

Experience within nonprofit, higher education, research, technology, innovation, economic development, or mission-driven organizations.