Job Description

Campbellsville University

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

POSITION:  Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations    

STATUS:  Full-time

REPORTS TO: Assistant Vice President for Advancement       

AREA:  Advancement

Campbellsville University is seeking an experienced and strategic advancement professional to serve as Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations during a period of significant institutional momentum and opportunity. This role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the University’s philanthropic growth by expanding national foundation relationships and cultivating corporate partnerships that support academic innovation, workforce development, and student success. Building on two consecutive years of record grant fundraising, the Director will work closely with university leadership, faculty experts, and advancement colleagues to translate bold institutional initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities that attract major investment and create lasting impact for students, the region, and the communities Campbellsville University serves.

Position Summary

Campbellsville University invites applications for the position of Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, a strategic advancement role responsible for securing philanthropic support and building strategic partnerships with private foundations, family foundations, and corporate partners to advance the University’s mission and institutional priorities.

This position will play a key role in expanding foundation grants and corporate partnerships that support academic innovation, workforce development initiatives, student success programs, capital projects, and strategic program development.

Building on two consecutive years of record grant fundraising, the Director will lead efforts to identify funding opportunities, cultivate relationships with foundation leaders and corporate partners, and develop compelling proposals and partnership opportunities that align donor and corporate interests with institutional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Foundation and Corporate Relations
• Identify, research, and pursue funding opportunities from private foundations, family foundations, corporate foundations, and corporate giving programs.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with foundation leaders and corporate partners.
• Develop strategic funding proposals and partnership opportunities supporting academic programs, capital projects, and university priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of foundation and corporate prospects and opportunities.
• Proposal Development
• Lead the development and submission of compelling grant proposals, concept papers, and funding requests.
• Collaborate with faculty and administrators to translate programmatic ideas into fundable proposals.
• Corporate Partnership Development
• Identify and cultivate corporate relationships aligned with the University's workforce development, academic, and community engagement priorities.
• Develop corporate sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and programmatic investments that support student success and regional economic development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum five years of successful grant writing and foundation fundraising experience in education or the nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated success securing foundation or corporate grant funding.
• Exceptional written communication and proposal development skills.
• Strong research, project management, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, senior leadership, and development staff.
• Commitment to the mission of Campbellsville University and Christian higher education.

Why Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University is a mission-driven Christian university with a growing national reputation for academic innovation, student support, and community impact. Located in the heart of Kentucky, the University serves students from across the country and around the world through strong undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Campbellsville is distinguished by its commitment to Christ-centered education, personal mentorship of students, and programs that meet real workforce and community needs. Faculty and leadership maintain a collaborative environment where new ideas are welcomed and where philanthropic partnerships directly advance student success.

The University continues to expand its academic offerings, invest in facilities, and develop programs that serve both rural Kentucky and the broader region. These initiatives create meaningful opportunities for foundations and corporate partners to invest in projects that deliver measurable impact.

Why Now

This is an especially exciting moment in Campbellsville University's advancement trajectory. The University has recently experienced two consecutive years of record grant fundraising and is positioned to build upon that momentum.

Institutional leadership has placed a strong priority on expanding philanthropic partnerships to support strategic initiatives across the University, including academic program growth, workforce development, student support initiatives, and facility expansion.

The Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations will have the opportunity to help shape the University's foundation and corporate fundraising strategy during a period of growth and institutional momentum. This role offers direct collaboration with university leadership, faculty innovators, and advancement professionals to develop proposals that attract major foundation investment.

Opportunity for Experienced Foundation and Corporate Strategists

This role is ideal for an experienced foundation and corporate relations professional who enjoys translating innovative academic and community initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities. The Director will have significant visibility across the institution and the opportunity to work directly with senior leadership and faculty experts to develop strategic proposals that advance the University's long-term priorities.