Director of Grants and Institutional Giving

ABOUT THINKERY

Thinkery is where children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. As a trusted children’s museum, community and learning hub, and educational leader, we believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for all children, regardless of means, to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them.

At the Thinkery Meredith Learning Lab located in Mueller, we proudly offer innovative, interactive museum exhibits and activities and early childhood education. We provide research-backed, community-based professional development programs and trainings for educators via our STEAM Learning Institute- all cultivating a love of learning and encouraging exploration and understanding of the many facets of STEAM and its ability to inspire confident, creative thinkers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Grants and Institutional Giving is an integral part of the success of Thinkery’s fundraising efforts and works closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to advance Thinkery’s mission through building a strong contributed revenue source through grants.

The Director of Grants and Institutional Giving is responsible for the full cycle of grants management for the advancement team, from prospecting, coordination, writing, and submission of funding proposals through reporting to funders.

• This role is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with funders (including private foundations, public and corporate grant makers) and internal staff as appropriate. This position will also be responsible for the management and implementation of an annual calendar of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities and donor recognition.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Grant Writing: Research, Development and Submission (40%)

• Drive revenue through establishing new grant partners and incremental growth of current and prospective funders/supporters and grant opportunities.
• Develops and maintains a thorough understanding of the organization’s programs, strategic goals and impact to assess potential grant opportunities and recommends appropriate funding pursuits.
• Develop, create, and submit timely, well researched, well written proposals, grant applications, LOIs/RFPs to meet operational, and capital funding needs.
• Work with Chief Advancement Officer and other staff throughout the organization to research, develop, create and submit proposals, skillfully align grant opportunities with program goals, organizational priorities and cross-program impact.
• Coordinate across teams to collect needed information for proposal development. Help plan grants budget and strategies.

Contract Management, Reporting (Post Award Notification) and Stewardship (40%)

• Maintain existing system that prioritizes funding opportunities and sources that match organizational priorities and continuously evaluate effectiveness of grant performance and reporting.
• Coordinate with the finance team to assist in reconciliation and analysis of monthly financial statements related to grants.
• Collaborate organization-wide aligning grant requirements with program teams for thorough funding submissions and requests.
• Manage existing reporting system for grants received, prepare timeline and tracking system for proposals, and prepare and distribute ongoing status reports.
• Track awards—granted and declined—to help manage overall budget and strategy, implementing innovative approaches to efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure all contracts are reviewed, signed and executed.
• Manage and provide accurate stewardship reports for each grantor.
• Contribute to a healthy data management environment by maintaining grant funder data in Thinkery’s CRM.

Relationship Management and Stewardship (15%)

• Serve as primary manager for relationships with grant related funders.
• Work with Chief Advancement Officer, Board Liaison and Communications to develop organization wide reports to include Impact Report, Comprehensive Board Reports, as well as other stewardship related communications highlighting Thinkery’s programs and impact.

Other Requirements (5%)

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Serve as an active member of the advancement team and assist with department-wide projects, key fundraising and community engagement events, and other initiatives.
• Represent Thinkery at community events when related to grant prospecting or relationship management.

COMPETENCIES

• Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet expected commitments.
• Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives, backgrounds and cultures bring to an organization and Thinkery’s work.
• Creates Connection: Building engagement and belonging in relationships across teams and with guests promoting a welcoming environment for all.
• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

CREDENTIALS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or 4 years of equivalent experience.
• Minimum three years of grant writing and stewardship experience.
• Proven record of successful fundraising.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent grammar, writing, editorial, and research skills with a high attention to data.
• Highly organized with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes.
• Knowledge of public and private foundations, as well as local corporate social responsibility programs and donors.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively deliverables necessary for award management processes and procedures.
• Create high quality work product efficiently.
• Possess excellent in interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to communicate effectively to various stakeholders (internal and external).
• Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize.
• Proficient at Microsoft Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience using CRM database systems.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of employee, donor, benefactor, and constituent information.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Days and hours of work are largely Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Thinkery is a 7 day of the week operation, so periodic duties outside of regular work week schedule during seasonal high-volume times or special events may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMAND

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position is largely stationary. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

• Observe and react to the needs of guests, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners
• Move throughout the museum when on-site.
• Occasionally manipulate and move office supplies and equipment components weighing up to 15 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level.
• Communicate and exchange accurate information with guests, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners in a variety of formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone
• Detect and respond to safety hazards.
• Operate standard office equipment efficiently and accurately.

BENEFITS

Thinkery offers competitive and affordable benefits for our full-time staff including options for 100% employer-sponsored medical coverage. Our benefits package includes:

• Medical insurance options including HSA, PPO Gold, and PPO Platinum plans.
• Affordable dental and vision.
• 100% employer-sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance.
• 2 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid sick leave, and 13 paid floating holidays each year.
• Paid Family Leave.
• Pet and child-friendly offices.
• Membership to the museum and discounted rates for Camps.

This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for this job. Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required. This job description may be updated as needed.

Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring, and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above-listed items. All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to background and reference checks.