Do you have a natural flair for connecting with people? Do you enjoy promoting a strong mission? If you are skilled at communicating, flourish in a goal-driven role, and are eager to contribute to advancement of public horticulture, this might be the role for you.

We’re looking for a creative, persuasive, and experienced fundraiser to join our Membership & Development team as a Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager. In this role, you will work to generate the funding necessary for our team to serve our international membership of 550 institutional gardens, 110 corporate members, and a variety of individuals at all stages of their professional careers. As Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager, you will build strong relationships with sponsors, exhibitors, corporate partners, and grant and foundation funders to secure funding and build strategic partnerships that advance our mission.

You will report to the Associate Director of Membership & Development and work closely with all APGA staff, including the CEO. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, be excited by the opportunity to expand and maintain a diverse, active community of corporate partners, and be committed to advancing the financial security of the Association.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains relationships with corporate and foundational funders
• Identifies and solicits corporate contacts to grow engagement through membership, advertising sales, exhibiting, sponsoring, and forming strategic partnerships
• Evaluates Corporate Membership program to align benefits, create new member opportunities, and steward corporate relationships
• Tracks and reports on corporate and foundation relationships; creates, and meets all funder reporting requirements and fulfills of deliverables
• Develops and maintains a foundation grant calendar, effectively communicating and managing deadlines
• Oversees prospecting, stewardship, and expansion of the APGA’s affinity portfolio and aligned strategic partners
• Oversees corporate sponsorship program; determines needs for event sponsorships and creates and presents sponsorship proposals
• Prospects new funding opportunities with private and corporate foundations; works cross-departmentally to develop compelling cases for funding
• Assists in developing annual budget projections and goals and reports on monthly revenue and expenses
• Meets annual targets for all budgeted income
• Maintains complete and organized internal files on all prospects, donors, exhibitors, advertisers, and partners within donor database.
• Assists in the preparation and facilitation of APGA’s annual conference, including participating in planning committees or additional logistical projects
• Works with the CEO and Associate Director of Membership and Development to coordinate a council of corporate contributors for APGA

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participation in weekly staff meetings 
• Attendance at professional development, training, and other team building activities
• Other duties as assigned, including contribution to additional projects to support the broader efforts of the APGA team

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in fundraising, corporate sponsorship, grant funding, or related field with proven record of meeting and exceeding income goals
• Minimum 4 years of experience working with membership organizations, associations, or nonprofits
• Experience using an Association Management System (AMS) or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database
• Experience creating compelling and persuasive proposals
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
• Self-motivated and organized with the ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
• Collaborative individual and enthusiastic team player
• Creative and entrepreneurial in pursuit of new funding opportunities
• Proven ability to make data-informed and strategic plans and decisions
• Solutions-oriented with commitment to delivering excellent customer service
• Proficient with Microsoft365 software including Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams apps
• Proficient with video conferencing systems such as Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams to lead online meetings

Additional Information 

This position will operate remotely; the employee’s home address will be used as their official work location for tax and benefit purposes. This position may require the employee to undergo appropriate background checks as a condition of employment. This role will require travel to national events which may take place multiple times throughout the year. The employee is frequently required to sit, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be requested to lift up to 35 pounds.  

About American Public Gardens Association

The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture. We champion and advance public gardens as leaders, advocates, and innovators in the conservation and appreciation of plants. We're growing and evolving our staff's capacity to engage our national network of 10,000 garden professionals and we want you to join us. This work will reward your desire to serve our field, growing with the Association, as we fulfill our vision of a world where public gardens are indispensable. Our Core Values: CULTIVATE PASSION We meet all opportunities and challenges with courage, creativity, teamwork, and mutual respect. By celebrating the diversity of the people, plants, and public gardens we represent, we all grow; ELEVATE OUR VOICE We champion public gardens by using our collective voice to advance public horticulture and gardens through policy, awareness, advocacy, and facilitating change. Through reaching out and welcoming in, we all grow; COLLABORATE AUTHENTICALLY We believe sustainable collaborations require transparency, empowerment, and accountability as we challenge one another and ask hard questions. Through inclusive, diver...se, equitable, and accessible interactions, we all grow; GROW THOUGHTFULLY We believe in the pursuit of individual and collective fulfillment through connection, learning, leading, sharing, and problem-solving. By modeling the many ways to advance with intention and equity, we all grow.

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Connections working at American Public Gardens Association