Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations (Institutional Giving)

About the Opportunity

The Director of Institutional Giving will report to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and lead development and execution of the Academy’s strategy to secure funding from corporations, foundations, and government sources. As a senior member of the Advancement Division, the Director will oversee a portfolio of major institutional donors, lead a team of institutional giving specialists, and work collaboratively across departments to craft compelling proposals that support the Academy’s mission and strategic goals. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker, a persuasive communicator, and a skilled relationship builder with a proven track record of success in institutional fundraising.

Our Organizational Structure

Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy's strategic plan includes three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are intrinsic to Academy culture and operations, from recruitment and retention to science and advocacy.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. Candidates are required to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals receiving a conditional offer of employment from the California Academy of Sciences will be provided the full text of the vaccination policy. The California Academy of Sciences is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace, to protect its employees, volunteers and guests.

As Director of Institutional Giving you will be responsible for the following: 

Strategic Leadership and Planning:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive departmental fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and program staff.
• Work with the Chief Advancement Officer to set and achieve annual income goals, including Big Bang support, in-kind contributions, and multi-year gift stewardship.
• Create and maintain a 1-year and 3-year cultivation, communication, and stewardship plan for institutional donors and prospects.
• Assist with departmental budget planning related to donor cultivation events, stewardship, and staff professional development.
• Lead, in partnership with the CAO and other key stakeholders, a reimagining of a corporate engagement plan designed to position the Academy as a partner of choice for the corporate community.

Fundraising and Relationship Management:

• Manage a portfolio of 50+ high-value institutional prospects and donors, focusing on gifts in the $100,000 to $1,000,000+ range, with a goal of securing multiple multi-year commitments.
• Engage donors and prospects through in-person meetings, phone calls, letters of inquiry, site visits, cold calls, and emails, independently or with staff and Trustee support.
• Guide SLT, Advancement Leadership Team (ALT), and program staff in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor and prospect interactions using Tessitura fundraising software and generate/distribute reports as needed.

Grant Development and Management:

• Work independently and in partnership to create compelling proposals for Academy-wide programs, tailoring them to specific foundation priorities.