Description
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Northwest Harvest is an anti-racist, anti-oppression organization committed to transforming an unjust food system into one that is more responsive and accountable to the communities most impacted by discrimination. In addition to distributing food throughout Washington, Northwest Harvest aims to shift public opinion, as well as impact institutional policies and societal practices that perpetuate hunger, poverty, and disparities in our state.
Learn more at http://www.northwestharvest.org
The Institutional Advancement Officer leverages skills in strategic relationship-building, persuasive communication, grant development, and partnership management to secure and steward diverse funding streams from corporate, and foundation, partners. This role is essential for ensuring Northwest Harvest’s sustainable growth and impact. It involves cultivating strong relationships with these partners, identifying new support opportunities, and managing the full life cycle of grants and contracts – from prospect research and proposal development to reporting and renewal. By blending strategic relationship-building with strong grant writing and communication skills. This position will ensure that the organization meets its current needs while expanding its impact over time.
Working closely with the Management team, Director of Community Philanthropy (DoCP), Director of Public Funded Partnerships (DPFP), programs, and finance teams, this role serves as a connector between internal priorities and external funding opportunities. Bringing a business development mindset and strong project management skills, the individual translates organizational goals into compelling cases for support. As the primary steward of institutional funding partnerships, they will ensure that funders feel engaged, recognized, and invested in the long-term success of the organization.
The primary responsibility of this role is to lead Northwest Harvest’s corporate and institutional support program by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding foundations and corporate funders whose missions and values align with our commitment to food justice and equity. This role involves supervising the Corporate Relations Manager and providing strategic leadership to build and maintain a strong, sustainable community-centric funding pipeline. This includes cultivating corporate partnerships through sponsorships, cause marketing, employee engagement, and volunteer opportunities, as well as strengthening relationships with BIPOC-led organizations and tribal communities to ensure our institutional fundraising strategies reflect the leadership, priorities, and self-determination of communities most impacted by hunger and food injustice.
The secondary function of this role is to play a key part in supporting the growth and expanding Northwest Harvest’s government-funded business portfolio. In close partnership with the DPFP, the position contributes subject matter expertise and funding insights while ensuring alignment on engagement strategies before approaching external funders. Together, these roles strengthen our ability to pursue and secure public-funded grants and contracts. Serving as an advisor to the DPFP this role helps align strategic goals, innovative programs, and operational capacity with fundraising opportunities.
The position supports the development of crafting compelling proposals and building meaningful relationships with key stakeholders to advance Northwest Harvest’s mission and long-term impact.
You will have oversight of our institutional funding opportunities, managing a diverse portfolio that includes foundation and corporate funding relationships. This involves leading prospect research, grant proposal creation and stewardship, crafting grant proposals, managing steward efforts, and providing high-level coordination and oversight of institutional fundraising activities. Additionally, you will support the identification and cultivation of institutional funders, manage funder communications, and stewardship efforts. Your efforts will ensure alignment across all institutional fundraising initiatives, allowing you to maintain comprehensive oversight of donor records and reporting systems. This role will ensure consistency, compliance, and strategic integration with the organization’s three-year strategic fundraising plan.
In this role the successful incumbent will be accountable for meeting revenue and engagement targets by utilizing a blend of in-person and virtual meetings, along with various outreach methods like email communication. Your efforts will pave the way for identifying new opportunities for funding innovative programming, while also helping Northwest Harvest maintain and expand its services throughout Washington state.
This role continuously engages in cutting hunger rates in half by 2028 by securing institutional support from partners that are committed to creating a more equitable food system in Washington state. Your work will not only drive financial goals but also significantly contribute to our broader mission of food justice and community well-being.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Relationship Management
Promotes, manages, and expands Northwest Harvest’s relationships with institutional partners across Washington state
Serve as the primary relationship manager for funders, fostering ongoing engagement, recognition, and renewal. Develop and implement strategies that
align funding opportunities with Northwest Harvest’s strategic priorities
In collaboration with the Advancement team, create and maintain solid, respectful relationships with corporate partners
Ensure timely and transparent communication with institutional partners and report regularly on partnership strategy and status
Proactively seek opportunities to expand and deepen partnerships with existing institutional supporters
Research and qualify new corporate prospects whose values align with Northwest Harvest’s mission and equity-based approach
People Management & Leadership
Supervise and support the Corporate Relations Manager, providing regular coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and equity-centered work culture aligned with Northwest Harvest’s values
Set clear goals and expectations for direct reports and ensure alignment with team and organizational priorities
Coordinate workload and capacity across the team to meet strategic deadlines and support cross-functional initiatives
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Director of Community Philanthropy and Director of Public Funded Partnerships and other Advancement leaders, contributing to long-term planning and revenue growth strategies
Assesses future needs to hire and manage contract grant writers as applicable
Proposal Development
Contribute to proposal strategy development and lead the implementation of an annual plan for cultivating, soliciting, and recognizing institutional donors
Assist the DCP in setting fundraising goals annually
Work with the Director of Finance, Finance Team, and other staff members to create project-specific and general operating budgets for proposals
Identify and evaluate new institutional funding prospects that align with organizational strategy and provide strategic recommendations to advance organizational goals and maximize funding impact
Utilizing Salesforce, maintaining accurate calendar of grants and reporting deadlines and all relevant interactions with funders
Grants and Fundraising Request Management
Builds and nurtures relationships with institutional partners to identify shared value opportunities and secure support through grant applications, sponsorships, cause marketing, and employee engagement programs
Maintains grant oversight by overseeing the status of grants and funding requests, and forecasting and tracking goals and budgets for the Advancement team
Ensure all submission deadlines and reporting requirements are met, including narrative and financial reports
Provide monthly updates to DCP and Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) on status of grants and institutional revenue
Works to gather timely updates on grant deliverables, outcomes, and impact narratives
Stay current with trends and issues in the fields of grant-making specifically and philanthropy generally
Create and maintain Northwest Harvest proposal boilerplate language, such as organizational background information and program descriptions
Manage relationships with external funders and support site visits or presentations as needed
Provides narrative detail on Social Service/Northwest Harvest outcomes for grantors
Communicates with the DCP and CAO regarding the spending of funds and ensures that funds are allocated properly in a timely manner
Works with Advancement Specialist and future contract grant writers to develop and maintain all grant agreements and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU’s) pertaining to grant awards
Ensures compliance with sponsor, federal, state, county, city laws and regulations
Ensures all expenditures are allowable within grant restrictions and regulations
General
Act as a goodwill ambassador and liaison between foundation and Northwest Harvest Advancement team and act as a professional goodwill ambassador representing the agency in the communities we serve
Participate in cross functional teams and other activities as requested
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Equity and Inclusion
Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact
Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency
Participation in, and commitment to, the principles of Community Centric Fundraising
RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal: This position interacts with and communicates daily by asking questions, receiving and providing information with fellow Advancement team members and has frequent, respectful contact with all levels of staff and functions cross-departmentally. The successful incumbent in this role presents accurate information regarding institutional funding opportunities and requirements in a consistent and adept manner
External: This position will uphold NWH’s commitment to end hunger by interacting daily with current and prospective funding program officers and Northwest Harvest stakeholders in a respectful manner that aligns with the organization’s mission and vision. Exercise sensitivity, courtesy, and confidentiality in all interactions with donors.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A combination of the real-life experience, education, and training listed below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.
Successful completion of a background check is required.
Knowledge of:
A broad range of philanthropy activities, including strategic analysis of funding opportunities, grant writing, and corporate and foundation relations
Direct experience with budget planning and development for a non-profit
Budget planning and development
Experience with Salesforce or comparable donor database systems, i.e., online prospect research tools such as Foundation Directory or Foundation Search; customer relations management databases
Intermediate to advanced knowledge with Microsoft Office applications; particularly Word, Excel, PPT and Outlook, Teams, and Zoom and ability to work efficiently and effectively with other organizational platforms such as ADP, SharePoint, Microsoft Dynamics NAV systems, Net Suite
Familiarity with project management tools, such as Asana or similar platforms
Ability To:
Understand individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity.
Demonstrate interest and commitment to supporting equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations and people living with disabilities.
Equity and Connectedness:
Adopt our PACI (Purpose-Driven, Anti-Racist, Connected, and Interwoven) values, which guide and inform our work. Practice our Six Agreements, which represent our commitments and promises to one another:
Speak our truths responsibly
Listen to understand
Stay engaged
Be willing to experience discomfort and do things differently
Expect and accept non-closure
Honor confidentiality
Develop and sustain meaningful, trust-based relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including internal partners, funders, business leaders, tribal representatives, and community partners
Work collaboratively with program, finance, and leadership teams to align funding opportunities with organizational capacity and goals
Manage multiple projects and deadlines with efficiency and accuracy, prioritizing tasks in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated excellent written, verbal, editing, research, and storytelling skills
Utilizes Asana or a similar project management tool, create, track, and implement appropriate timelines for proposal development
Utilize Salesforce, maintain calendar of grants and report deadlines and all relevant interactions with funders
Demonstrate strong analytical, organizational and project management skills, and attention to detail.
Exhibit exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all tasks
Effectively prioritize competing responsibilities to meet deadlines reliably while maintaining high-quality outcomes
Effective team player who can take initiative and work independently within department priorities and is willing to learn and take on additional responsibilities, as appropriate
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, grant management, fund development, or an equal combination of education and relevant work experience with a personal orientation as a life-long learner.
EXPERIENCE:
Minimum five (5) + years’ experience in foundation and/or corporate relationship development; grants research, fund development and at least four (4) years of grant management experience and proven track record of public grant acquisition with at least 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience, with a focus on coaching, development, and creating inclusive team culture.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The ability to speak additional language(s) is desired but not required
Non-Profit experience is desired but not required
DISCLAIMER:
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.
BENEFITS AND OTHER COMPENSATION:
Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package this includes but is not limited to; medical/dental/ vision/ insurance, long term disability insurance, Life/AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 401(k) retirement plan, Vacation and Sick leave, 8 paid holidays; New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, Floating holidays for you to use should you observe a holiday not outlined in Northwest Harvests current observed holidays or at your discretion, and birthday holiday. Employees are eligible to participate in payroll deducted supplemental benefits i.e., Flexible Spending account-HRA and DCE, various AFLAC and New York Life plans.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION:
Northwest Harvest is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. Northwest Harvest does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion, or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal law.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the organization’s positions.
