Director of Grants and Donor Development

Director Of Grants And Donor Development

kpCompanies is leading the search for a strategic Director of Grants and Donor Development to support St. Paul Youth Services (SPYS) in advancing its mission. This pivotal role involves enhancing and diversifying funding streams through grant acquisition, donor engagement, and collaborative storytelling. SPYS is looking for a professional with a talent for writing, an instinct for relationship-building, and a deep commitment to racial equity and youth development.

St. Paul Youth Services (SPYS) was established nearly 50 years ago to address rising juvenile justice interactions among Black, Indigenous, and youth of color. A joint initiative between the City of St. Paul and the St. Paul Police Department, SPYS began offering early intervention through its Behavior Intervention Program and Pre-Charge Diversion program, creating pathways for youth accountability outside the juvenile detention system. In 2016, SPYS launched "Rewriting the Rules of Youth Engagement," fostering spaces for Black youth to amplify their power and leadership. This shift led to programs like YouthPower Leadership Institute, focusing on youth-led systemic change, and YouthPoweredMediaMN, a digital advocacy platform. Today, SPYS continues to empower youth with a blend of community-based services, second chances, and skills to navigate and shape their futures.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Identify and research grant opportunities from foundations, government entities, and corporate or community funders.
• Craft and submit persuasive grant proposals that align with SPYS's mission, programs, and vision for youth advocacy.
• Oversee the full grant lifecycle, ensuring adherence to application deadlines, compliance, and timely renewal submissions.
• Cultivate and sustain relationships with existing and prospective funders, partnering closely with the Executive Director to engage donors from foundations, corporations, and the community.
• Act as a liaison between the ED and funders, ensuring regular updates on SPYS's impact and responsiveness to funder priorities.
• Expand SPYS's visibility by forging transformative relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.
• Work with Marketing staff to create and maintain consistent development-related messaging across platforms, e.g. funders page on the SPYS website.
• Develop a strategic, multi-year resource development plan, identifying innovative approaches to secure new funding and ensure financial sustainability.
• Align funding strategies with organizational priorities through collaboration with executive leadership and program staff.
• Facilitate discussions on SPYS's evolving funding needs, effectively translating strategic priorities into actionable goals.
• Systematically track fundraising metrics, monitor donor engagement, and maintain grant application records.
• Prepare detailed financial and narrative reports to showcase program impact, outcomes, and overall funder ROI.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to position SPYS for continued growth, leveraging national and local funding opportunities.
• Coordinate closely with program staff to understand and document organizational activities and needs for comprehensive and authentic grant writing.
• Support fundraising campaigns and event development efforts to increase visibility and donor engagement.

Required Qualifications

We believe diverse experiences enrich the talent pool. If your skill set does not match every qualification but aligns with the SPYS mission, we encourage you to apply. Your passion and transferable skills are valuable.

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in grant writing, institutional fundraising, and/or donor development.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Exceptional writing skills with a demonstrated ability to craft compelling narratives and manage grant proposals and reports.
• Strong relationship-building skills to engage donors and institutional funders effectively.
• Proven experience in grant management, including tracking and reporting.
• Excellent organizational skills for managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising best practices, especially in youth-focused or social justice initiatives in Minnesota.

If you are passionate about advancing youth empowerment through strategic grantmaking and donor engagementand meet the qualifications listed aboveplease submit a cover letter, resume, and your salary expectations. The position will remain open until filled. All submissions are received in the strictest confidence.

Equal Opportunity Employer

St. Paul Youth Services and kpCompanies are equal-opportunity employers. All applicants are afforded equal opportunity in hiring without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, disability, mental illness, sexual harassment, sexual orientation, genetics, military/veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic. We look forward to learning more about your unique background. Thank you for considering joining SPYS in advancing our mission for youth empowerment.