Director of Development, Institutional Giving

Since 1867, Howard University has awarded more than 130,000 degrees in the professions, arts, sciences, and humanities. Howard ranks among the highest producers of the nation’s Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work, and education.

The University has long held a commitment to dismantle systems and processes that marginalize and harm people in American society and throughout the world. The goal is the elimination of inequities related to race, color, social , economic, and political circumstances. As the only truly comprehensive predominantly Black University, Howard is one of the major engineers of change in our society. Through its traditional and cutting-edge academic programs, the University seeks to improve the circumstances of all people in the search for peace and justice on Earth – Howard prepares men and women to advance social justice and the preservation of human liberty.

Regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning, current enrollment is more than 13,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students representing 49 states and more than 100 countries. The University continues to prepare Black scholars in every field and across the globe.

The Director of Development, Institutional Giving, Business & Law serves as a key partner within the Institutional Giving team in meeting annual fundraising goals. The role develops and implements a comprehensive fundraising plan to significantly grow and scale institutional giving (corporations, foundations, organizations) for the Schools of Business and Law, with annual fundraising targets and longer-term goals, strategies, and key performance indicators. The Director of Development must develop a balanced approach to serving both schools and will be encouraged to develop and seek opportunities for interdisciplinary funding. Critical to success is the timely and accurate monitoring of relationship milestones, deliverables and stewardship moments.

This position is required to manage a personal portfolio of prospects, complete a required number of meetings each month, keep accurate records of all interactions and fundraising activities, and emphasizes frequent, values-driven, and customized communications. The role conducts research to identify new prospects, prepares solicitation strategies, submits letters of inquiry, and supports the development of grant proposals, budgets, reports, and needed correspondence.

Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum five (5) years of experience securing grants and contributions from institutional sources, or transferable experience in a fundraising environment
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, Access, PowerPoint and Excel), and database management skills; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge preferred
• Expert knowledge of fundraising in a nonprofit environment; experience in higher education preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Proven success planning and executing solicitation strategies and meeting financial targets;
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple workstreams;
• Mastery of moves management, particularly as this relates to institutional donors,
• Demonstrated ability to craft high-quality professional correspondences attuned to current funding trends in both business and the nonprofit sector;
• Ability to navigate internal processes and structures to problem-solve and contribute to a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence;
• Ability to leverage technology to enhance fundraising and use data to inform decision-making;
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment; and
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and a high degree of discretion working with institutional donors.

DRiWaterstone is proud to lead this search on behalf of Howard University.