ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Just A Start believes that access to stable housing and sustainable careers are the essential building blocks of equitable communities. For 56 years, we have addressed the fundamental needs of individuals and families who have been systemically denied opportunities to realize their full potential.

Our programs include affordable housing, education and job training, and comprehensive support services spanning Cambridge and beyond. We have developed and currently operate 645 affordable apartments. We also provide financial and technical assistance to support stable housing for low- and moderate-income tenants and homeowners. Finally, we prepare individuals of all ages and circumstances with the skills and knowledge they need to secure family-sustaining careers, leveraging their talents to achieve economic mobility and strengthen the region’s workforce.

Just A Start’s recently completed strategic plan reaffirms our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the people we serve, including advancing an integrated model that combines housing with access to a  continuum of supportive services and workforce training that allow for personal growth and economic mobility. To do so will require that we build our capacity to learn and adapt.

 POSITION SUMMARY:

 Working closely with the Director of Philanthropy, the Associate Director of Institutional Giving, plans and executes strategic activities to raise funds from corporations, foundations and government. 

An aspiring and strategic thinker, the Associate Director of Institutional Giving manages a portfolio of over 90 funders, raising $1.5 million towards an annual organization budget of $10 million.

The position manages the full cycle of institutional giving, including research and identification, strategy, cultivation and stewardship, solicitation, grant writing and reporting, as well as data tracking. 

The Associate Director leads all submission and reporting timelines, and collaborates across programs to seek opportunities and showcase impacts.

The Associate Director is a key member of the Resource Development Team which includes a Philanthropy Associate and a Communications Manager. This position manages a contract grant-writer who assists with proposal submission.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with Director of Philanthropy to plan and execute strategies to raise funds to meet annual budget goal.
• Lead institutional funding including corporate, foundation, and government giving. Manage full cycle of fund development from identification, research, cultivation, proposal and report submission, and relationship stewardship.
• Cultivate and steward relations with institutional funders. Initiate and conduct meetings and site visits with funders.  Work closely with Communications Manager to facilitate visibility and public relation opportunities
• Develop an annual grant pipeline schedule and budget projection.
• Coordinate with program staff to generate proposals and reports.  Responsible for all proposals and reports submission, supported by a contract grant-writer.  Coordinate with program, finance, and data staff to generate proposals and reports.
• Data and record keeping – Utilize Salesforce database to capture process and results, generate regular reports of fundraising goals. Ensure all documentation, including RFP, proposal, grant agreement, reports are properly organized.
• Collaborate with Director of Learning and Evaluation, Communications Manager and Philanthropy Associate to present up-to-date information and outcomes, and deliverables to funders.

 EDUCATION AND SKILLS:

• 3-5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, non-profits, or related fields
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship-building and cross-departmental collaboration skills
• Positive, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and commitment to deadlines
• Effective time and project management skills; able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to connect mission to impact through data and storytelling
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with CRM platforms; Salesforce preferred
• Team player with curiosity and eagerness to learn
• Commitment to contributing to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: The employee must have sufficient mobility to work in a standard office setting and to use standard office equipment, including a computer, and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.  Specific vision abilities required include ability to read printed materials and a computer screen, close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

 WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Normal office conditions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate and can occasionally be loud.

 SALARY AND BENEFITS:

This is a 37.5-hour per week hybrid remote/in-the-office position with a salary range of $70,000- $82,000. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9am-5 pm, with a minimum of 2-3 days in the office.

 In addition to a competitive salary, Just A Start offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, life insurance, transportation benefits, early release at 2:00 pm every Friday, 20 PTO days in the first year, 13 paid holidays, volunteer time off, employee assistance program and a 401k savings plan with a 3% employer contribution.

 About Just a start:

Just A Start is a community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to building a better future by providing affordable housing, education, training, community engagement and supportive services. Our mission is to promote equity by creating access to stable housing and building pathways to economic opportunity. For over 50 years, Just A Start has been serving residents of Cambridge and surrounding communities to empower them to meet their potential. Visit us at www.justastart.org to learn more.

Just A Start is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our staff represents a wide range of ages, races, sexual orientation, gender identity, interests, and backgrounds coming together to pursue of common goals. Together, we strive to provide an environment that values diversity and promotes an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.