Foundation Fundraising Advisor JOB

Globally, IFDC has a long history of support from private foundations, bilateral, and multilateral donors. IFDC has ambitions to increase engagement with foundational donors, increase its portfolio of institutional partnerships, and grow its global programs, to achieve its global strategy and vision. IFDC recognizes the potential of foundation partnership in terms of fundraising but also regarding influencing significant global development programs. At this time, IFDC seeks to assess the pros and cons of more active and intentional pursuit of foundation funding and the implications of how we might grow that funding.

This consultancy work will help inform whether foundations should be a larger part of our strategy to achieve our ambition of donor diversification and growth. IFDC needs a more detailed map of foundations as donors and be clear on the implications of choosing to position ourselves as a partner of choice. The consultancy will be managed by IFDC’s Program Development Office in Washington with support from IFDC offices in Muscle Shoals, Accra, Nairobi and Dhaka.

SOW

• Analyze the potential foundation donor market
• Current / historic IFDC foundation donors, philanthropic organizations, industry foundations, high net worth individuals, etc
• Alignment with other agricultural development initiatives (strategies, global and regional priorities, countries, ambition, capacity)
• Potential program areas, alignment with IFDC strategy, relevant sector approaches and funding trends and key foundations identified. Analysis should include:
• recommendations for specific program areas IFDC should prioritize based on our strategy, existing funding for the agricultural sector and funding trends
• what IFDC would contribute (e.g. integrated soil fertility management within a rural development/resilience proposal or fertilizer deep placement in a climate change mitigation/adaptation program etc.)
• the most suitable institutional for potential partners in each area. This section should be supported analysis highlighting alignment between IFDC and other institutions – geographies, priority areas, and funding
• Summarize key funding mechanisms of foundations (grants, co-funding, gifts, project support, budget support)
• What they are and how they work
• What sectors are supported by each (sectors relevant to the scope of this study)
• Applies different models of philanthropy such as Donor Advised Funds and other opportunities to reach different audiences.
• Recommendations for the type(s) of funding mechanisms IFDC might prioritize (aligned directly to the rest of the report)
• Outline key opportunities provided by—and barriers created by—foundation policies and strategies, which govern international program and/or research funding
• Overview of foundational support for IFDC programs, including those that require multidisciplinary concepts/proposals
• Other foundation strategies and policies relevant to IFDC’s Corporate Strategy, funding priorities, and campaigns
• Trends in the foundation donor environment for rural and agricultural development
• Provide IFDC capacity development recommendations to pursue increased foundation funding
• Staffing implications and new business development structure
• Marketing and Communications on donor related messages and products
• Responding to foundation systems requirements including registrations, insurance, legal, M&E, financial reporting, environmental management and mitigation
• Identify and recommend online CRM and donor engagement and management tools
• Provide recommendations that can be used to strengthen the fundraising capacity of IFDC staff and research division
• Any compliance risks (insurance, procurement, human resources, grant management, etc.) and how to mitigate
• Highlight experience of similar NGOs and research institutions and their overall approach or lessons learned on attracting new support from foundations.
• Lessons from IFDC’s experience with foundations to date
• Experience from similar NGOs and research institutions
• Develop and deliver a comprehensive and coherent foundation fundraising strategy for IFDC

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience specifically in foundation donor portfolio management, with at least 3 years of frontline major gifts fundraising experience, or proven track record of securing five and six-figure gifts
• Experience successfully securing funds from institutional donors, knowledge of philanthropic trends, and existing relationships in this field.
• Resource mobilization skills with grants acquisition and fundraising management with tangible results in any charitable environment;
• Advanced knowledge of the principles of fundraising and the ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle including: initiating contacts with prospects and donors; developing creative and effective solicitation strategies; moving prospects and donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation; effective solicitation and gift closure; and stewardship. Advanced knowledge of different funding mechanisms including DAF and other models.
• A good understanding of the institutional funding landscape, preferably including the rural and agricultural development market and an understanding/ appreciation of institutional donor stewardship techniques. Experience with other types of funding funders (high net worth individuals, corporate foundations) a plus, as well as in building complex and consortia proposal bids and reports.
• Be able to priorities and work with minimal supervision but also work well with our team and wider teams of people from different cultures