Description:
Foundation For The Carolinas serves as a catalyst for philanthropic activity in our 13-county region and is a driver for major civic efforts. We offer innovative solutions that help individuals, nonprofits and companies bring their charitable visions to life.
Established in 1958, we are a civic leader and philanthropic partner. With $4 billion in charitable assets across thousands of charitable funds established by families, nonprofits and businesses, we are one of the largest community foundations in the U.S. FFTC supports personal and corporate philanthropy through a range of innovative fund and giving options. We also drive nonprofit sustainability through endowment management, customized solutions and grantmaking.
Our flagship program, the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership, addresses the community’s most pressing challenges and greatest opportunities, from economic opportunity to neighborhood revitalization to education and more.
FFTC is headquartered in the Luski-Gorelick Center for Philanthropy. With art throughout and multiple conference rooms available at no charge to area nonprofits (during business hours), our home serves as a civic hub for our community.
At Foundation For The Carolinas, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered. We believe that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences lead to innovation and success. Valuing our differences is more than a philosophy; it is the core of what we do. We actively encourage and seek candidates from all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, and backgrounds to apply for our open positions. We provide equal employment opportunities creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique talents to our team. Join us in our mission to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
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Position Summary
The AVP Scholarships provides programmatic and administrative support for multiple Foundation scholarship programs, which include facilitating programmatic strategy, managing applications, relationship management and payment processing. The AVP will meet departmental deadlines and work to exceed client and partner expectations.
This position needs a strong service orientation coupled with knowledge of scholarship and financial aid processes and regulations. This position builds and maintains relationships with school officials, community members, parents, and students.
The role also works to provide dedicated relationship management, grantmaking expertise, day to day oversight, and strategic support for the clients within Foundation For Black Philanthropy (FFBP), a division at Foundation For The Carolinas created to promote economic self-reliance, equal opportunity, leadership skills and cultural awareness in the Black community. The AVP will work with the Vice President of Scholarships to expand FFBP as an affiliate of The Foundation. This position has a particular emphasis on managing service delivery for a portfolio of diverse relationships to meet sophisticated needs in philanthropy and subject matter grantmaking.
In addition to direct client responsibilities, the AVP may be responsible for project management activities related to sales, stewardship, product development and marketing & communications related initiatives as identified by the Vice President of Scholarships and the Senior Vice President, Community Programs.
The functions of this position are primarily self-directed, requiring motivation, attention to detail, client service and independence.
Duties & Responsibilities
General:
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Work with the Vice President of Scholarships and the broader Philanthropic Advancement Team to identify, cultivate, solicit, steward, and manage relationships of prospective fund donors.
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Establish a strong relationship with schools and college access networks.
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Participates in Foundation-wide activities and assists as needed with activities led by other areas of the Foundation.
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Assist with the ongoing management, maintenance, and review of business processes and business process documentation captured within business process management (BPM) software. This includes a review, at least annually, of specified processes to ensure accuracy of documentation and identification of areas for process improvement.
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Proactively engages with key stakeholders while building relationships to heighten awareness and promote FFTC scholarships and services.
Grants and Program Management:
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In conjunction with the Vice President and Scholarships Program Officer, implements, coordinates, directs, and maintains Foundation scholarship programs, including preparation of new scholarship agreements, maintenance, and monitoring of existing scholarship agreements and maintaining regular contact with donors and students.
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Coordinate and support at least one annual grantmaking cycle for each client to include grant applicant consultation; proactive knowledge and relationship building with key community groups in the areas of interest for the client; preparing, distributing, processing, and reviewing grant applications for board or committee’s decision-making process; executing against grants awarded through payment and evaluation tracking.
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Acts as a liaison between applicants, scholarship and grant recipients and other stakeholders to provide information and resources regarding scholarship activities and programs.
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Maintains complex individual and organizational database records and produces queries, reports, and mailing lists.
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Solid understanding of reading and communicating financial reports.
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Recommends updates to the Scholarships pages on the Foundation’s website and social media.
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Assists in the coordination of other Scholarship and FFBP special events including workshops and luncheons.
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Ensure scholarship and grant disbursements comply with FFTC policies, procedures, and respective fund agreements.
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Stay abreast of legislation and trends regarding community foundation scholarship programs.
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Adheres to IRS regulations regarding scholarship funds.
Board Support:
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Provides guidance and support to volunteer scholarship and grants committees. Works closely with committee chair to recruit committee members, coordinate their efforts and plan committee meetings to advance the committee functions.
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Provides comprehensive administrative support including:
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Scheduling, organizing, and facilitating respective board and committee meetings, including preparation and presentation of application materials, agendas, minutes, fund reports and other essential information.
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Providing staff support and making recommendations to boards and committees regarding the operation of scholarship programs (general policies, selection processes, award amounts etc.).
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Reviewing and screening applications, recommending finalists and semifinalists to scholarship Committees if appropriate.
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Assists in the development activities related to creation/design of new scholarship funds. Including:
o Facilitating conversations and supporting donors in clarifying and achieving charitable objectives.
o Drafting initial guidelines, policies, and procedures for scholarship funds.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required for the position. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree and the equivalent of at least three years of office/foundation, public sector, or service industry experience.
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Familiarity with scholarship, college access and retention programs or higher education (e.g., admissions, financial aid, and student life) highly preferred.
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Ability to maintain strict confidentiality about donors, students, and clients.
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Excellent interpersonal skills with proven sensitivity and competency in working with individuals and groups from diverse cultural, socioeconomic and lifestyle backgrounds.
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Confidence and poise when speaking to individuals or groups.
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Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
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Strong ability to learn new computer applications and assists others with troubleshooting.
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Proficient in computer applications, software, and database programs (such as Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Adobe).
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CRM Database management experience (CommunityForce, Granted GE and Raisers Edge experience preferred or would consider other comparable system experience)
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Demonstrated commitment to service, excellence, and discretion.
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Excellent organizational skills, be a self-starter and work effectively within a team, ability to plan workflows, problem solve, proven ability to multi-task, set work priorities, track projects with meticulous detail, and meet deadlines.
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General ability to perform the essential functions and overall physical and mental requirements of this position, including stamina to perform tasks over extended periods and ability to occasionally move about to accomplish tasks or move from one worksite and/or workstation to another.