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Grant & Sponsorship Manager
Position Description
Updated 5.1.15
Riveredge is more than a nature center. Its legacy as a pioneer in the areas of land restoration, research, and inquirybased education throughout Wisconsin serve as strong foundation to its future initiatives. Today, Riveredge is
redefining the role of the nature center in the community by empowering and supporting communities to live in
harmony with their natural environment in a way that encourages exploration, adventure, and fun.
The mission of Riveredge Nature Center is inspire, inform, and enable responsible environmental decision-making and
sustainable practices by providing leadership in education, preserving and restoring the Riveredge and other natural
sanctuaries, and serving as a resource for scientific research.
Riveredge has a 46-year history as a leader in environmental education in the State of Wisconsin. The Center provides
science-based, inquiry-oriented, outdoor experiences to learners of all ages. In 2014, Riveredge adopted an “audacious
goal” to become the leading destination in the Midwest for learning, discovering, and experiencing the interconnections
between nature and society. We will do this through creating partnerships which transform the culture of our formal
education systems, communities, and lifestyles. This is an exciting time in the history of Riveredge as we work to pioneer
strategies to redefine the role of nature centers in today’s society.
Position Purpose
The Grant & Sponsorship Manager will work as part of the Riveredge Nature Center team of staff and volunteers. This
position is responsible for securing designated and operational funding through grant sources and event sponsorships.
This position is also involved in other aspects of day-to-day operations of the Center’s administrative functions.
Responsibilities
Grant Responsibilities
• Develop and submit all grant applications (for designated projects/programs and general operating support)
to existing funders on a timely basis
• Research and build relationships with new granting agencies (family and corporate foundations, businesses,
and government)
• Keep accurate records of all grant applications submitted, pending grants, awarded grants, and nonawarded grants; submit regular updates and summaries of grants to the Director of Development &
Marketing
• Work with staff members to assist them with designated grant applications for programs and projects
• Manage and complete all grant requirements (publicity, reporting, letters of acceptance, Board
communications, etc.)
Sponsorship Responsibilities
• Develop and regularly review sponsorship levels for all programs/events
• Identify additional sponsorship opportunities to help support Riveredge programs, events, and initiatives
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Develop and submit sponsorship requests for support of many different Riveredge programs and events
Research and build relationships with new businesses, foundations, and individuals as it relates to
sponsorships
Meet with existing sponsors on a regular basis to ensure event/program sponsorship is a match with their
philanthropic and/or marketing goals
Work with the Marketing & Development team to ensure sponsors are properly recognized, as appropriate
Create banners, posters, etc. for events as part of sponsorship recognition
Lead regular stewardship activity to ensure exceptional care and gratitude for all sponsors
Other Responsibilities
• Lead the creation and distribution of Riveredge’s Annual Report
• Attend networking events and donor meetings/visits as appropriate
• Attend and assist in special events: River Valley Bike Ride, Farm-to-Table Gala event, Yule Log Dinners,
Maple Syrup Suppers, Outdoor Pancake Breakfast, etc .
• Participate in programs, events, and staff meetings of the Education and Research & Conservation teams as
necessary to fully understand the programs and initiatives at Riveredge
• Assist in staffing the Visitor Center approximately one weekend day per quarter
• Work with all members of the Administration team (which includes Development & Marketing) and
undertake additional assignments as necessary
Position Expectations
In addition to the Primary Duties, the Grant & Sponsorship Manager is expected to meet the following expectations set
forth for all staff members of Riveredge Nature Center:
• Meaningfully contribute to the Riveredge staff team. This includes helping with projects, programs, and
events that may fall outside of the primary duties or departments of this position description.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment through personal actions such as supporting and helping
other staff members and volunteers.
• Provide high quality customer service experiences to all guests and volunteers
• Develop personal benchmarks and measures of success related to the yearly Riveredge Nature Center
approved goals.
• Regularly participate in staff meetings and internal professional development trainings.
• Seek out professional development opportunities outside of Riveredge Nature Center to further expand and
improve your skills, talents, thoughts and ideas.
• Strive for excellence and innovation.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to efforts to realize additional earned and contributed revenue such
as, but not limited to, specialty programs, membership recruitment, in-kind donations, grants and gifts.
Quantitative Expectations
By June 2019, the Grant & Sponsorship Manager is expected to achieve the following quantitative outcomes:
• Designated & Operational Grants: $250,000 (current year total is approximately $100,000)
• Event & Program Sponsorships: $60,000 (current yearly total is $30,000)
Additionally, this position is expected to contribute to the larger Development & Marketing Team in contributing to
the following goals:
• Increasing membership to 2,200 families (currently membership is 1,100 families)
• Increasing overall program participation to 40,000 (currently program participation is 20,000)
• Increasing contributed revenue to $700,000 (current yearly total is $400,000)
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Performance Evaluation & Compensation
When we work together, Riveredge succeeds. When Riveredge succeeds, we all benefit. All staff members at Riveredge
will have regular and consistent contact with their supervisor(s). All staff members will receive a yearly, formal
performance review from his/her direct supervisor. Performance will be evaluated based on overall job performance,
teamwork, and progress related to yearly goals. Pay increases will be given on a sliding scale based on job performance.
Yearly pay increases are not guaranteed. When financially allowable, high performing employees will receive greater
compensation based on performance that is consistently above expectations.
Benefits & Working Conditions
This is a full-time, salaried position and provides the following benefits. Specific quantity of benefits will be presented in
the offer letter.
• Short and long term disability paid 100% by Riveredge,
• Limited matching retirement contributions,
• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation,
• Paid sick leave and optional participation in a health insurance and dental insurance programs
Additional working conditions include:
• Work evenings and weekends on an occasional basis.
• Assume occasional travel within the state.
• Limited hours (up to 20% of time) can be spent telecommuting from home a. Please consider this option when
you are not feeling well or are working on projects that can be more efficiently completed in an environment
free from distraction. Regular telecommuting (up to 20% of time) can be discussed with your supervisor after six
months of employment at Riveredge.
This position reports directly to the Director of Development & Marketing
Preferred Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in the humanities, communication, non-profit management, or related field
Excellent persuasive writing skills, experience as a grant writer
Strong organizational skills and a natural ability to manage projects and deadlines
Proven success in fundraising / grant writing / securing sponsorships
Experience working with donors and volunteers
Self-starter and a well-developed ability to set and meet goals and outcomes
Ability to easily communicate evaluation outcomes and program impacts
Enthusiastic, positive, motivated and likes to have fun on the job.
Ability to work as a member of a team by sharing decision making while personally assuming and also asking
for responsibility and accountability
Strong interpersonal skills, organized and professional demeanor, self-directed
Strong oral and written communication skills
Excellent computer skills, comfort using email and internet. Must be proficient in using Microsoft Word,
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, and iPads
Interest in sustainability education and its connection to environmental issues and a community’s wellbeing
Experience with Google docs, Google calendar, and social media
To Apply
Please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references (as one PDF copy) to Julia Courtright,
Director of Development & Marketing, at jcourtright@riveredge.us. For questions, please contact Sunny at 262-3752715. Priority deadline: May 22, 2015
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