Development and Grants Director

Development and Grants Director

About the Indiana Blind Children's Foundation

The Indiana Blind Children's Foundation (IBCF) is the philanthropic partner of the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ISBVI). Through fundraising, community partnerships, grants, and donor support, IBCF secures resources that expand opportunities for students who are blind or have low vision throughout Indiana.

Since 1993, IBCF has worked alongside ISBVI to invest in programs that enrich the academic, social, emotional, and professional development of students. Today, the foundation supports initiatives in arts and music, assistive technology, career development, family engagement, and health and wellness.

Through fundraising, grantmaking, community partnerships, and signature events such as the Through the Looking Glass Gala, IBCF helps ensure that students who are blind or have low vision have access to opportunities that empower them to thrive.

Development and Grants Director

Position Summary

The Indiana Blind Children's Foundation seeks a relationship-driven Development and Grants Director to help expand philanthropic support for children and youth who are blind or have low vision throughout Indiana. Working closely with the CEO, Board of Trustees, donors, foundations, and community partners, this role will lead grant development, sponsorship growth, donor stewardship, fundraising initiatives, and development operations.

As the philanthropic foundation supporting the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, IBCF connects donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners to programs that directly impact the lives of students and their families across the state.

The Development and Grants Director will play a key role in strengthening IBCF's fundraising capacity, expanding community partnerships, and building a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support. This position is ideal for a fundraising professional who enjoys relationship building, grant writing, strategic partnerships, and mission-driven work.

The CEO will continue to lead major donor strategy and principal gift cultivation, while the Development and Grants Director focuses on growing grant revenue, sponsorships, annual giving efforts, donor stewardship, and fundraising infrastructure.

This position represents a strategic investment in expanding IBCF's fundraising capacity and long-term sustainability. Working alongside an engaged CEO and Board of Trustees, the Development and Grants Director will help strengthen philanthropic support, expand community partnerships, and build resources that support the organization's continued growth and impact throughout Indiana.

Candidates who do not meet every qualification are encouraged to apply. We recognize that relevant experience may come from nonprofit fundraising, grant development, corporate partnerships, business development, sales, or related fields.

Why Join IBCF?

• Make a direct impact on the lives of children and youth who are blind or have low vision.
• Support the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Indiana's specialized educational resource for blind and low-vision students.
• Partner with an engaged CEO and committed Board of Trustees.
• Help grow a fundraising program with statewide impact.
• Competitive salary, a $5,000 sign-on bonus, and hybrid workplace flexibility.

Why This Role Matters

As IBCF continues to grow its statewide impact, the organization is investing in its fundraising capacity to secure additional resources for students and families. This role offers the opportunity to help shape the future of a mission-driven organization while building meaningful relationships with donors, funders, corporations, and community leaders.

The Development and Grants Director will join a small, collaborative team and work directly with organizational leadership to advance programs that create life-changing opportunities for Indiana youth who are blind or have low vision.

Essential Responsibilities

Grants and Foundation Support

• Research, write, and manage grant proposals, reports, and supporting materials.
• Identify new funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with foundation partners and grantmakers.
• Track grant deadlines, reporting requirements, outcomes, and compliance obligations.
• Collaborate with school and community partners to gather program data and impact stories.

Sponsorships and Community Partnerships

• Identify, cultivate, and secure corporate sponsorships and community partnerships.
• Develop sponsorship proposals and partnership opportunities.
• Manage sponsor relationships and fulfillment of sponsorship benefits.
• Represent IBCF in the community and build relationships that increase visibility and support for the organization.

Donor Stewardship and Annual Giving

• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and supporters.
• Coordinate donor acknowledgment, stewardship, recognition, and engagement activities.
• Support annual giving and donor retention initiatives.
• Maintain accurate donor and prospect information within Bloomerang and other development systems.
• Assist with donor communications and impact reporting.

Fundraising Events

• Support planning and execution of the Through the Looking Glass Gala.
• Coordinate sponsorship solicitation and event-related fundraising activities.
• Help create meaningful donor and community engagement opportunities through events and programs.

Development Operations

• Monitor fundraising activity, track key metrics, and maintain development reports.
• Prepare fundraising updates and reports for the CEO and Board of Trustees.
• Support implementation of annual fundraising goals and strategies.
• Identify opportunities to improve fundraising processes and systems.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Three to five years of experience in fundraising, grant development, nonprofit advancement, sponsorship sales, business development, or relationship management.
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining external relationships.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience using CRM, donor database, or constituent management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing and managing grant proposals and reports.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, philanthropy, or community engagement.
• Experience coordinating sponsorships, fundraising events, or corporate partnerships.
• Knowledge of donor stewardship and annual giving strategies.
• Familiarity with Bloomerang or a similar donor management system.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be:

• Relationship-oriented and collaborative
• A strong communicator and storyteller
• Self-motivated, organized, and proactive
• Comfortable building partnerships and engaging with community stakeholders
• Passionate about mission-driven work and community impact
• Curious, creative, and eager to identify new fundraising opportunities
• Committed to helping grow IBCF's philanthropic support and long-term sustainability

Salary and Benefits

Salary: $75,000-$90,000, commensurate with experience

Sign-On Bonus: $5,000

• $2,500 paid after 90 days of employment
• $2,500 paid upon successful completion of the first year of employment

Benefits

• Opportunity to work for an organization dedicated to educational equity and opportunity for children with visual impairments
• Hybrid work schedule with the ability to work remotely one day per week
• Simple IRA with 3% employer match
• Three weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO)
• $1,500 annual health benefits stipend
• 50% reimbursement of monthly cell phone expenses

Location

IBCF's office is currently located in the former IPS Building 83 at 42nd and Emerson. The organization is expected to relocate to the new Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired campus at 75th and College upon its anticipated opening in 2028.

What Success Looks Like

In the first two years, the Development and Grants Director will:

• Increase grant funding opportunities and foundation support
• Expand corporate sponsorship and partnership revenue
• Strengthen donor stewardship and retention efforts
• Improve fundraising systems, reporting, and pipeline management
• Partner with the CEO and Board to grow overall philanthropic support for the mission
• Help position IBCF for sustainable long-term fundraising growth

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience to:

Laura Alvarado, CEO
lalvarado@isbvik12.org

The Indiana Blind Children's Foundation is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience to:

Laura Alvarado, CEO
lalvarado@isbvik12.org