INSTITUTIONAL GIVING OFFICER

About Foundation for Louisiana

Foundation for Louisiana (FFL) is a social justice philanthropic intermediary founded in 2005 as the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation to invest in the immediate recovery of Louisiana’s communities after Hurricane Katrina. While FFL was established in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, our founders recognized the need to address the longstanding inequities that have shaped life outcomes for the most marginalized of Louisianans. FFL’s work grew in response to these needs, and today, FFL focuses on racial justice, climate justice, criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, LGBTQ organizing, and support for Louisiana's vibrant arts and culture via a three-pronged strategy:

• Invest: FFL makes grants and loans to support organizations and movements throughout Louisiana in our key program areas. We attract and invest resources to support on-the-ground projects, many of which can’t access traditional philanthropy. Through fiscal sponsorship, the Foundation for Louisiana also supports innovative ideas responding to unmet needs throughout Louisiana.
• Build: We build power to effect change in Louisiana communities. Our TOGETHER initiative convenes community leaders and provides training in organizing, policy change, leadership, public speaking, and facilitation to tackle climate change issues, police accountability, health disparities, housing access, and more.
• Transform: We fortify movements to shift systems and shape regional and national narratives. We reimagine how our communities are governed and funded to redefine how residents can thrive in them.

Since its inception, FFL has invested $55 million in more than 250 equity-centered nonprofit organizations working across the state toward building a more just Louisiana. As a social justice philanthropic intermediary, FFL’s work unapologetically advances racial justice while moving Louisiana forward. The foundation engages communities in program co-design and grant-making processes to expand opportunities and move communities towards a more just future.

Position Overview

Foundation for Louisiana seeks a dynamic and energized fundraising professional to join our team as Institutional Giving Officer. This driven individual will lead the strategy and implementation for stewarding and expanding FFL’s portfolio of foundation and corporate funders to support FFL’s programs and operational strength. The Institutional Giving Officer will develop and write funding proposals and reports in a clear and compelling manner, manage FFL’s relationships with foundations, corporations and potentially, with government agencies, and ultimately expand the portfolio through thoughtful cultivation. We are looking for a candidate who brings relevant skills and interest to the role, demonstrates ownership of their work, and is looking for an opportunity to seize a career-enhancing opportunity in a fast-paced, growing organization working toward justice in Louisiana. Reporting to the Director of Development and working closely with programs and finance staff, the Institutional Giving Officer will play an important role in driving FFL toward its $12M goal this year and its ambitious growth ahead that powers the organization’s freedom work.

All Foundation for Louisiana employees are currently working remotely. While the Institutional Giving Officer can be based anywhere in the state, the Institutional Giving Officer may have to go to the Baton Rouge and New Orleans office when conditions allow. Office space is available in New Orleans. Public health conditions and potential climate hazards are monitored closely, and FFL observes all municipal, parish, and state guidelines as well as Center for Disease Control recommendations to prioritize the health and safety of our staff, partners, and the communities we serve.

Key Responsibilities

The following is a summary of the duties required:

• Manage the development of grant proposals and reports from initiation to submission in collaboration with both internal staff and funders to ensure alignment between FFL proposals and funder priorities.
• Develop systems of relationship cultivation that consist of regular, proactive engagement touchpoints throughout the funding cycle.
• Manage and steward a portfolio of five to seven-figure grants that fund FFL’s programs and operations and coordinate touchpoints to ensure the organization maintains strong relationships with donors and secures renewed funding when possible.
• Collaborate with program staff, develop and write compelling grant proposals (including narratives and budgets) and reports that advance FFL’s mission, core strategies, and programs, and engage potential funders.
• Research and vet prospective funders, develop cultivation strategies, and connect with stakeholders and colleagues to identify opportunities for partnerships with new potential funders that are a good fit for FFL.
• Develop strategic engagement plans for existing and prospective institutional donors and their representatives; organize funder meetings and site visits.
• Develop and maintain institutional giving fundraising calendar and manage deadlines with relevant staff in the program and finance departments.
• Maintain quality control with funder database and tracking systems, ensuring accurate and complete records for funders and grants.

Required Competencies

The Institutional Giving Officer should possess the following qualifications, skills, and personal attributes:

• Experience that demonstrates a commitment to anti-oppression values – proficiency in talking and writing about racial justice, trans and queer justice, climate justice,
• 5+ years’ development experience – solid track record of producing successful grant proposals within non-profit organizations; experience managing, moving, and expanding a portfolio of funders.
• Solutions-oriented self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for revenue generation.
• Exceptionally detail-oriented written and verbal communication skills that demonstrate the ability to write clear and compelling content for donor audiences.
• Demonstrated project management, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills, with excellent attention to detail and good follow-through.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with peers in joint and shared efforts.
• Competency in systems implementation and management; Ability to work effectively and flexibly to produce high-quality work products in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment; to practice solid organizational skills when faced with multiple time-sensitive priorities.
• Excellent research, analysis, synthesis, and presentation skills.
• Ability to receive and integrate constructive critiques and feedback into work.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU:

• Have worked within Louisiana’s nonprofit ecosystem or in a similar cultural and political context.
• Have experience with CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred).
• Are familiar with grant compliance and budget management

WHO ARE YOU?

You have the amount and type of experience desired, plus other relevant traits desired for the position and work atmosphere. You love Louisiana and are concerned about the most pressing issues facing this state.

You’ll fit right in if you love to:

• Work towards shared goals with multiple team members, stakeholders, and partners
• Use technology to communicate, perform tasks, and meet critical timelines while maintaining accuracy and quality
• Use FFL’s core values (community wisdom, courage, integrity, and commitment) to serve Louisiana’s communities of color and low-income communities with an intersectional analysis of racism, specifically anti-Black racism
• Give and receive feedback to improve our work together

You’re good at:

• Performing both independently and as part of a team
• Centering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of your work
• Time and project management
• Multi-tasking
• Prioritizing work
• Problem-solving
• Being organized
• Communicating (verbally and in writing)
• Working with diverse groups

CATEGORY

This is a full-time, exempt position. Candidates should have flexibility and willingness to work evenings and weekends on occasion.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY

Foundation for Louisiana aspires towards freedom for all Louisianans and aims to create a fully inclusive and affirming workplace for all people. We welcome and encourage applications from people impacted by the criminal legal system. FFL is committed to providing staff with resources to work from home effectively. Reasonable accommodations may be requested to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the position.

Foundation for Louisiana follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, criminal legal background, and marital status.

This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, grant partners, board members, and dealings with the general public.

We encourage applications from people with disabilities and are available to discuss reasonable accommodations for any applicant who may need them. To inquire about accommodations, please email jobs@foundationforlouisiana.org or call FFL at (504) 302-3344. Please refrain from making phone calls for any reason other than to request application accommodations.