FoodCorps Michigan Director of Philanthropy 
or this Position
Who We Are:
FoodCorps believes every school should be a healthy school and every child – regardless of race, place or class – deserves to be well nourished and ready to learn. In underserved communities across the country, our AmeriCorps leaders teach students about healthy food through hands-on lessons, partner with farmers and food service workers to create nutritious and delicious school meals, and collaborate with communities to insure a long-term culture of health. Building on this foundation of direct impact, FoodCorps pursues systemic strategies that will benefit all of our nation’s 100,000 schools.
What We’re Looking For:
FoodCorps seeks an exceptionally motivated development professional to lead, strategically guide and build our philanthropic partnerships across Michigan with an emphasis on the Detroit metro area. Reporting to our National Senior Director of Philanthropy, the Michigan Director of Philanthropy will lead, develop and implement fundraising strategies to grow FoodCorps' base of donors with a primary focus on raising funds from foundations, corporations and high net worth individuals in the region that have a local or regional approach to their philanthropy. With previous experience working with fundraising, and supporting programs for underserved communities, this individual will be able to bring a diverse skill set and viewpoint to the discussion table around social and racial justice. This is a unique opportunity to work within a national fundraising team while serving as senior fundraising lead in Michigan to build a high-caliber, comprehensive fundraising program alongside the Michigan Program Director.
This is a full-time position based in our Detroit office, and requires occasional out of state travel.
Who You Are:
You are passionate about FoodCorps’ mission and are eager to convince both stakeholders and prospective supporters of the urgency and impact of our work. You are an outstanding and adaptive communicator who demonstrates expertise in relationship-building strategies and techniques, including cold prospecting, cultivation, closing gifts, and delivering exceptional stewardship. You are skilled at researching and identifying funder priorities and reflecting those interests in your conversations with individuals from a variety of backgrounds. You possess strong organizational skills, are self motivated and possess an exceptional attention to detail, and are comfortable juggling multiple projects, tight deadlines and a rapid pace of work. You bring a customer service orientation to funders and your colleagues, anticipating their needs and responding promptly. You are highly independent and can work remotely from your team. You are motivated by the idea of helping people invest in our nation’s children, and leveraging FoodCorps as their investment vehicle. You have a commitment to diversity and inclusion with a desire to work for health equity and social and racial justice. You preferably have experience connecting philanthropists to underserved communities, and bring a significant level of maturity and sensitivity to discussing the needs of underserved communities with funders. You have roots in Michigan, and are well versed in the specific needs of the communities we serve.
Core Responsibilities:
- Craft and implement a statewide development strategy to support FoodCorps programming on the state and national levels, including the capital campaign
- Achieve ambitious fundraising goals by growing and stewarding a portfolio of Michigan donors utilizing a moves management approach
- Partner closely with our Senior Director of Philanthropy, Michigan Program Director, current Michigan-based funders and local partners to build a diverse pipeline of donors consisting of individuals and institutions, concentrating on prospects capable of giving $10,000 - $1,000,000+
- Solicit and close five, six and seven-figure gifts from major donors, foundations and corporations
- Organize site visits, cultivation events, and donor engagement opportunities that foster not just philanthropic investment, but programmatic partnership with donors
- Collaborate with members of the national Growth & Development team to meet and exceed state and national fundraising goals
- Participate in team strategy meetings, and follow organization-wide practices for tracking relationships, measuring performance and stewarding donors
- Work closely with the Senior Director of Philanthropy to develop and implement development strategies that offer philanthropic partnership opportunities to donors and prospects across all constituent categories
- Develop and sustain professional relationships with key stakeholders across Michigan including major donors and locally focused foundations and corporations
- In support of national programmatic and fundraising goals, develop a localized case for support in Michigan
- Provide senior-level leadership as FoodCorps launches and grows its Michigan field office.
Skills of the Ideal Candidate:
- A skilled networker and relationship builder who is comfortable working with executive-level institutional funder staff members and/or high net-worth individuals
- The ability to attract new supporters to invest in our mission and consistently motivate current donors to maintain and increase their support
- Experience in, knowledge of, or willingness to learn how to create portfolios and build pipelines from scratch
- Sensitivity and diplomacy in working with and fundraising alongside local nonprofit partners
- Thorough understanding of development philosophies, concepts and techniques, including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation and closing gifts
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion with a desire to work toward health equity and social and racial justice
- Knowledge of or interest in food systems, national service, education and related issues
- Ability to articulate a stellar case for support for both state and national program priorities
- Strength in multi-tasking, goal-setting, prioritization and project management
- Clear communication skills to enable collaboration with local and remote staff
- High degree of comfort in a remote and computer-based environment
- Ability to work independently, setting your own schedule and creating and executing engagement opportunities
- Must excel in a deadline-driven, high-accountability role and be self-motivated to succeed
- Familiar with a current CRM software e.g. Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge
- College degree, or equivalent work experience
- Knowledge of Michigan’s nonprofit and philanthropic communities required.
- Program management or grantmaking experience is preferred.
- Proven record of soliciting and closing five and six figure gifts from major donors, foundations and corporations in the context of a capital campaign preferred.
How to Apply:
Applications will be accepted until our ideal candidate is identified. To be considered, submit your résumé, cover letter and salary requirements through our career site at
https://foodcorps.hiringthing.com/FoodCorps pays salaries that are competitive with nonprofits of our budget size and geographic location, and offers generous vacation and medical benefits, 401(k) match, professional development funds and a sabbatical policy. This position is a Director level role with salary range starting at $80,000.00/yr., DOE. Candidates invited to interview for the position should expect to complete sample projects.
People of color, people with disabilities, veterans and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. FoodCorps is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. FoodCorps is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions. FoodCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees as required by law.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process. Location: Detroit, MI
Location: Detroit, MI
