Director of Grants and Stewardship

Position Summary:           

The Director of Grants and Stewardship leads the Foundation’s grantmaking operations and supports donor stewardship efforts, ensuring impact-driven and transparent processes that align with the Foundation’s mission. This position serves as a key liaison between donors, nonprofit partners, and community stakeholders, helping to foster meaningful philanthropic relationships and advance the Foundation’s mission.

Organization Summary:  

The Waukesha County Community Foundation (WCCF) was founded in 1999 to create a permanent endowment to support nonprofit organizations serving Waukesha County. The organization has grown to more than $80M in assets. Annually, the WCCF awards more than $6M in grants.

Grants Management & Strategy

• Oversee all aspects of the Foundation’s competitive and donor-advised grant programs, including design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Manage grant cycles, from application and review to award, reporting, and impact tracking.
• Ensure grantmaking practices are data-driven, community-informed, and equitable.
• Support the Board and Grants Review Committee with timely, accurate reports and guidance.
• Maintain and improve use of the grants management system.
• Stay informed of best practices in philanthropy and grantmaking.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement

• Cultivate and steward strong relationships with fund advisors and donors.
• Provide personalized support to donor-advised fund advisors, including grant recommendations and impact reporting.
• Provide leadership for stewardship with select donor groups including Advisory Council and Legacy Society.
• Partner with the President to create stewardship plans, programs, and materials to engage constituents.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and community partners.
• Represent the Foundation at community events, grantmaking forums, and stakeholder meetings.
• Identify emerging community needs and funding opportunities.
• Lead or support initiatives that enhance the Foundation’s visibility and responsiveness.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Collaborate cross-functionally with team members to meet goals and advance the mission.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators for grants and stewardship activities.
• Stay informed of best practices in philanthropy and grantmaking.
• Establish best practices for donor database management.

Other Duties

• Answer telephone and provide customer service to constituents including fund advisors and community members.
• The Director of Grants and Stewardship may be asked to perform other duties from time to time, as needed, to ensure efficient office operations. 

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience required
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in grantmaking, donor relations, or community engagement.
• Understanding of community foundations, donor-advised funds, and philanthropic best practices.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, project management, and organizational skills.
• Proficient with CRM systems.

 Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, life, IRA match, holiday/vacation pay and PTO
• Professional development opportunities