Associate Director Foundation Relations

Department Summary

University Advancement (UA) supports the University of Oregon’s (UO) mission of providing exceptional teaching, discovery, and service by strategically positioning the university to create awareness, build long-term relationships, and secure resources that increase understanding and further its aims. We are committed to fostering equity and inclusion in a welcoming, safe, and respectful environment that recognizes the value of all members of our community.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Central Development Research Programs, the Associate Director of Foundation Relations is responsible for identifying, cultivating, solicitating and stewarding private foundations with the capacity to make grants of up to $100,000. This position will assist multiple schools and units across campus, will manage a portfolio of private foundations, and will respond to queries from members of the UO community (Advancement colleagues, faculty, administrators, etc.) regarding opportunities with private foundations that may exists outside the portfolio. The primary focus of the person in this role will be identifying foundation prospects whose missions align with research, scholarship and artistic output of the university’s arts, humanities and qualitative social science disciplines. This includes faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Design and Oregon Humanities Center, as well as programs in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Museum of Natural and Cultural History and UO Libraries.

The Associate Director of Foundation Relations will manage the stewardship / reporting for foundations in their portfolio. This position will coordinate with academic partners on awarded grants to write and submit reports in coordination with funder criteria and deadlines.

The Associate Director will establish effective working relationships with school / unit fundraisers, deans, and faculty and administrative staff of the university to accomplish fundraising goals.

The Associate Director will be responsible for meeting fundraising goals as they relate to the strategic needs of the University of Oregon. Performance as measured against these goals will be evaluated annually.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• Two years of professional experience in foundation and / or corporate relations at a university or other large institution OR three years’ experience in a closely related field.
• Experience writing grant proposals or similar materials for foundations and / or corporations.