Development & Partnerships Coordinator

Development & Partnerships Coordinator

The Poston Foundation | Columbia, South Carolina | Hybrid | Full-time

Compensation: [Insert salary or hour

Reports to: Founder & Executive Director

About The Poston Foundation

The Poston Foundation is a South Carolina 501(c)(3) public charity based in Columbia. Our work focuses on practical direct aid, community partnerships, and responsible stewardship of local resources.

Our Carolina Cares Initiative supports individuals and families facing hardship through practical essentials and community outreach. Carolina Cares Essentials Kits may include hygiene items, socks, first-aid basics, shelf-stable snacks, water, seasonal supplies, and resource information. The Foundation also leads the Poston Preserve Initiative, focused on local history and community stewardship in Poston, South Carolina.

We are strengthening the fundraising capacity, partnerships, and organizational systems needed to sustain this work. As a small nonprofit, we value initiative, dependable follow-through, accurate communication, and respect for the people and communities we serve.

About the Role

The Development & Partnerships Coordinator will help secure financial and in-kind support for the Foundation, with an initial emphasis on the Carolina Cares Initiative and Carolina Cares Essentials Kit Sponsorships.

Working directly with the Founder & Executive Director, you will identify prospective supporters, initiate outreach, arrange meetings, prepare requests, and follow up with donors, business sponsors, and community partners. You will also maintain organized records, coordinate donor acknowledgments and updates, and assist with grant research and applications.

This is a hands-on position for someone comfortable starting conversations, asking for support, and following through from an initial introduction to a documented commitment. You will have meaningful responsibility while working with the Executive Director on priorities, messaging, budgets, and fundraising goals.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising and Sponsorships

• Research prospective individual donors, businesses, civic organizations, and other potential supporters.
• Conduct outreach by email, telephone, and in-person meetings to introduce the Foundation and discuss opportunities to contribute.
• Prepare and present requests for Carolina Cares Essentials Kit Sponsorships, financial contributions, and in-kind donations.
• Maintain a clear prospect tracking system, including contact history, interests, requests, next steps, and commitments.
• Support fundraising campaigns and coordinate timely follow-up with prospective and existing supporters.

Donor Stewardship and Recordkeeping

• Coordinate thank-you messages, donation acknowledgments, sponsor recognition, and updates on the use of contributions.
• Maintain accurate donor and partner records while respecting confidentiality and communication preferences.
• Track pledges, contributions received, in-kind commitments, and outstanding follow-up in coordination with the Executive Director.
• Help prepare concise reports that distinguish outreach activity, pending requests, confirmed commitments, and support received.

Community Partnerships and In-Kind Support

• Build relationships with local businesses, churches, civic groups, employers, nonprofits, and community organizations.
• Identify opportunities for supply drives, donated goods, workplace giving, and coordinated volunteer involvement.
• Coordinate the details of in-kind contributions, including requested items, quantities, delivery or collection arrangements, and acknowledgments.
• Help connect partner interest with practical program needs and available organizational capacity.

Grant and Proposal Support

• Research funding opportunities that fit the Foundation’s mission, eligibility, and current capacity.
• Maintain a calendar of application deadlines, required documents, and reporting obligations.
• Assist with letters of inquiry, applications, sponsorship proposals, and supporting materials.
• Work with the Executive Director to ensure that funding requests use accurate program descriptions, approved budgets, and substantiated information.

Program Coordination and Communications

• Develop clear outreach emails, sponsor updates, and fundraising materials using the Foundation’s established messaging.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director and volunteers so that fundraising commitments reflect actual supply, preparation, distribution, and logistical needs.
• Assist with occasional partner meetings, supply drives, and community activities connected to development work.
• Support privacy-conscious impact reporting without collecting unnecessary identifying information about aid recipients.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Relevant experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, sponsorships, donor relations, community partnerships, or comparable relationship-based work.
• Confidence initiating contact with prospective supporters and making clear, professional requests for financial or in-kind contributions.
• Strong writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization and reliable follow-through across multiple contacts, deadlines, and commitments.
• The ability to work independently, recognize when guidance is needed, and communicate progress consistently.
• Comfort using spreadsheets, shared documents, and contact-management or CRM tools.
• Sound judgment when handling donor information, representing the Foundation, and discussing community needs.
• A commitment to dignified service, accurate public communication, and responsible use of charitable resources.
• Availability for in-person meetings and agreed-upon activities in the Columbia area.

Preferred Experience

• Direct involvement in securing donations, sponsorships, grants, or in-kind contributions.
• Familiarity with Columbia, the Midlands, and South Carolina business or civic networks.
• Experience with donor stewardship, grant research, proposal preparation, or nonprofit reporting.
• Experience working in a small organization where priorities require initiative and adaptability.

A relevant degree is welcome but not required. We value demonstrated ability and relevant professional, volunteer, and community experience.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means building a qualified prospect list, maintaining consistent outreach, securing support, and developing relationships that continue beyond a single contribution. It also means keeping reliable records, honoring commitments to supporters, and helping the Foundation plan around resources that are actually available.

Specific goals will be established with the Executive Director based on the Foundation’s priorities, available resources, and the role’s scope.

Work Arrangement

This is a paid, full-time hybrid position based in Columbia, South Carolina. Work will combine remote responsibilities with local donor and partner meetings and agreed-upon community activities.

Scheduling expectations, any occasional evening or weekend commitments, and compensation details will be discussed during the hiring process.

How to Apply

Apply through LinkedIn with your résumé and a brief statement describing your interest in the role and relevant experience. Where possible, include an example of a donation, sponsorship, partnership, or outreach effort you helped advance, explaining your specific contribution.

The Poston Foundation welcomes applicants from varied professional and community backgrounds and is committed to equal employment opportunity.