Institutional Relations Manager

POSITION TITLE: Institutional Relations Manager

REPORTS TO: Chief Advancement Officer

POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Exempt

ABOUT MANNA:

MANNA is a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia that provides nutrition services to improve the health of people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. By providing medically tailored meals and nutrition education, we empower people to improve their health and quality of life.

POSITION SUMMARY:

MANNA seeks a full-time staff member with a talent and passion for writing and donor strategy to lead all fundraising activities related to foundation and corporate grants. The Institutional Relations Manager plays a critical role in the organization’s ongoing efforts to nurture and deepen relationships with current funders, diversify funding streams by building new relationships, and optimize growth opportunities. The position serves as a bridge between MANNA and its funders – both current and prospective – to identify common priority areas, emerging trends, and opportunities to support program development and enhancement. The ideal candidate will be happy participating in strategic, big-picture conversations and delving into the details to help the team take on a new prospect or implement a new system. The successful candidate will join the organization in an exciting period of growth and change. Among other program enhancements and concurrently with its 35th-anniversary celebrations in 2025, MANNA is implementing a technology acceleration project, poising the organization to substantially improve upon its operations and better serve more clients in the years to come. The institutional relations manager will help raise funds to support these critical projects and their ongoing operational needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Write all grants and reports including annual ‘boilerplate’ proposal that serves as a springboard for multiple proposals, as well as high-level, project-specific proposals for corporations and foundations

· Grow institutional funding base by identifying and cultivating a pipeline of new prospects, and developing strategies for engagement including research of organizational connections and cross-department collaboration

· Develop and implement a stewardship plan for existing institutional funders, including a communications calendar and stewardship content pieces, to strengthen relationships and increase giving

· Work with the Chief Advancement Officer to set annual institutional fundraising goals, forecast & track revenue, monitor deadline calendar, and develop and track grant budget

· Research and develop new funding opportunities to support current and emerging initiatives at MANNA

· Help develop, edit, and disseminate MANNA outcomes materials including the Annual Report, blog posts, and other communication/marketing materials

· Work closely with staff around outcomes strategies, including determining data that are most impactful for external stakeholders and potential new grant opportunities.

· Represent MANNA at outreach and networking events to build the agency’s prospect network

· Support the efforts of the development department, including conducting joint projects with colleagues

· Other duties as required

OTHER DUTIES:

· Commitment to MANNA’s mission and values.

· Support Kitchen, Distribution, and Events on an as-needed basis.

· Participate in staff meetings, attend community events, and otherwise contribute to strengthening the deep roots within our community, both internally and externally.

· Participate in ad hoc or organizational-wide committees or workgroups.

· Follow organizational policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

· Bachelor's degree in a writing-intensive field or relevant writing experience.

· Minimum 3-5 years of experience, including at least 2-3 years of relevant experience in a writing and relationship management role.

REQUIRED SKILLS & ABILITIES:

· Proven track record of successful relationship management, effective process development, and organizational skills.

· Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and ability to develop clear and convincing presentation materials.

· Strong interpersonal skills and relationship-building qualities.

· Ability to work independently with limited structural support.

· Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks at one time in a time-sensitive manner.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience in Salesforce or donor database preferred.

· Knowledge of the nutrition and health fields including major funders and peer organizations within the Philadelphia region preferred.

All offers of employment at MANNA are contingent upon successful results of our standard credentialing process, which includes a criminal background investigation, a drug screen, reference checks, and submission of mandated proof of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nights and weekends may be required as necessary to support MANNA events and other fundraising activities.

BENEFITS:

Health, Vision, and Dental insurance, HRA and FSA, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Supplemental Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Discounts, 401(k) plan with match, accrual of PTO up to 12 days in year one, 5 sick days, 11 paid holidays plus two ‘floating’ holidays per year, one day of remote work per week, and annual early Fridays.