Associate Director of Institutional Giving (2025)

Are you ready to directly impact the lives of first-generation college students and champion economic mobility for all?

America Needs You (ANY) fights for economic mobility for ambitious, first-generation college students. We do this by providing transformative mentorship and intensive career development. ANY operates sites in New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. Visit www.americaneedsyou.org to learn more information.

The ANY Fellows Program is an intensive two-year program for high-achieving, low-income, first-generation college students. The program has four components: intensive career development, one-on-one mentorship, robust networks, and holistic support. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York City, ANY expanded to New Jersey in 2012, Illinois in 2015, and California in 2016, growing from serving 50 students to nearly 600 students annually. In 2021, ANY launched FirstGenU, a new virtual program designed to help 10,000 first-generation college students navigate their careers. Visit https://americaneedsyou.org/firstgenu/ to learn more.

Associate Director of Institutional Giving

(full-time, hybrid, in New York City or Chicago Metro Areas)

Are you ready to directly impact the lives of first-generation college students and champion economic mobility for all?

Job Title: Associate Director of Institutional Giving

Location: Hybrid (Remote with occasional travel to office locations)

Reports to: Chief Strategy & Growth Officer

Organization Overview: America Needs You (ANY) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering first-generation college students to achieve their full potential. Through a combination of mentorship, professional development, and leadership training, ANY supports students from historically underrepresented communities to not only graduate but to excel in their careers. Our goal is to break down barriers to higher education and the workforce by providing students with the resources, networks, and guidance they need to succeed.

Position Overview: America Needs You is seeking a motivated and experienced Associate Director of Institutional Giving to join our Development team. This individual will be responsible for securing funding from institutional donors, including foundations, corporations, and government entities, to support our mission of empowering first-generation college students. The Associate Director of Institutional Giving will work closely with the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer to develop and execute strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding institutional donors, ensuring alignment with the organization’s goals and funding priorities.

Our Ideal Candidate Has the Following Skill Sets

Exceptional Proposal Writing & Grant Management Skills:

• The ideal candidate excels in crafting compelling proposals and managing all stages of the grant application process, from research to writing, submission, and reporting. They ensure that proposals align with the funder’s priorities while highlighting the impact and effectiveness of America Needs You’s programs.

Strong Relationship Building & Stewardship Abilities:

• This candidate is skilled in developing and nurturing long-term relationships with institutional donors, including foundations, corporations, and government entities. They have a knack for personalizing communications, engaging donors effectively, and maintaining strong partnerships over time.

Strategic Fundraising & Prospecting Expertise:

• The ideal candidate is adept at identifying new institutional funding opportunities, developing tailored strategies to approach potential donors, and setting clear fundraising goals to support the organization’s mission and growth.

Excellent Communication & Collaboration:

• This candidate possesses strong verbal and written communication skills, effectively conveying the organization's mission, goals, and outcomes to diverse stakeholders. They also work well in cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment between development, program, and leadership teams.
• These competencies will enable the Associate Director of Institutional Giving to secure vital institutional funding while strengthening relationships and driving the organization’s mission forward.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fundraising Strategy & Execution

• Collaborate with the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer to develop and implement a comprehensive institutional giving strategy to diversify and grow the organization’s funding base.
• Identify new funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government sources to support the organization’s programs and operational needs.
• Manage a portfolio of institutional donors and prospects, including foundations, corporations, and government agencies, from cultivation through stewardship.

1. Proposal Writing & Reporting

• Lead the preparation and submission of high-quality grant proposals and reports that align with the needs of the organization and the interests of potential funders.
• Write clear, compelling proposals and letters of inquiry, ensuring they are tailored to the specific interests and requirements of each donor.
• Manage the timely submission of all grant reports, ensuring they accurately reflect program outcomes and impact.

1. Relationship Management & Stewardship

• Build and maintain strong relationships with institutional donors, including regular communication and updates on program activities and outcomes.
• Coordinate with program staff to gather relevant information for proposals and reports, ensuring that donor expectations are met and exceeded.
• Organize donor stewardship activities, including site visits, events, and personalized communication to keep funders engaged and informed.

1. Research & Prospecting

• Conduct thorough research on potential institutional donors to identify new funding opportunities and evaluate prospects for alignment with ANY’s mission and priorities.
• Track trends in institutional funding and stay informed about developments in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

1. Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Partner with the executive, program, finance, and communications teams to ensure that the messaging, data, and impact reported to institutional funders is accurate and compelling.
• Work with program staff to ensure they have clarity on grant deliverables and special projects through regular, internal meetings or reports They should also be
• Thoughtful preparation of executive and senior staff, along with program participants and alumni, to meet with key foundation/CSR funders.
• Support the organization’s overall development strategy, contributing to individual giving and corporate partnerships as needed.

1. Administrative & Data Management

• Maintain accurate records of institutional giving efforts in the organization’s CRM system.
• Track progress toward fundraising goals and report on outcomes to senior leadership.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3-5 years of experience in institutional giving, grant writing, or nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of successfully securing funding from foundations, corporations, or government entities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to write clear, persuasive proposals and reports.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Experience with grant management systems and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Boomerang, or similar).
• Knowledge of the philanthropic landscape and current trends in institutional giving, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) and government funding.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across departments, as well as independently.
• Strong commitment to the mission of America Needs You and a passion for social justice and empowering first-generation college students.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in education, youth development, or social justice sectors.
• Experience with corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
• Familiarity with fundraising events and donor stewardship practices.
• Knowledge of proposal-writing best practices, including budgeting and financial reporting.

Compensation and Benefits: America Needs You offers a competitive salary and benefits package for this role ($80-90K), including health insurance, retirement savings plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

America Needs You offers a competitive salary and benefits package. ANY employees receive ample vacation time and the opportunity to work with a talented team on projects that have a real impact in their community.

To Apply:

Visit americaneedsyou.org/careers to learn more. Please submit a cover letter and a resume. Please note that your application will not be considered without a cover letter. No phone calls, please.  If you have further questions, please contact ANY.Careers2025@americaneedsyou.org