Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Office of Advancement
Job # 551026
Close Date: November 13, 2025
At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.
Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.
Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.
Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.
(Job # 551026) Administrator II, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Salary Range: $5,053 -$16,221, Hiring Range: $7,500 – $9,167. Final salary placement is commensurate with experience, internal equity, and budget considerations. This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month pay plan, permanent position with a one-year probationary period in the Office of Advancement. This position is an Administrator II in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.
Position Summary:
Reporting to Associate Vice President for University Advancement, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) will be primarily responsible for securing gifts in support of institutional priorities from corporations and foundations. The Director will work strategically with university leadership, faculty and constituent programs to successfully meet the corporate and foundation goals. Through collaboration, the CFR Director alerts campus units to relevant grant opportunities.
The Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) will meet annual goals for cash, proposals submitted, and contacts among others. The position will manage and grow a personal portfolio of key local, regional and national corporate and foundation prospects. Expectations of the position include working in a collegial manner within University Advancement, Sponsored Programs and across the university in creating and implementing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward corporate and foundation prospects.
Key Responsibilities:
- Builds and manages a portfolio of 80-100 prospective corporate and foundation donors for major gift commitments for identified Cal Poly Humboldt fundraising objectives: to include identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Conducts 20 to 25 meaningful contacts per month. Develops written engagement and solicitation strategies; moves prospective donors through the traditional cultivation, solicitation and stewardship cycle recording actions in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
- Prepare and implement an annual plan for corporate and foundation relations. Participate in the building of a campaign strategy around corporate and foundation relations.
- Collaborates with Office of Advancement on its functions and coordination of activities, including coordinating with other offices of the University.
- Participates in the activities of committees and organizations to ensure that appropriate development policies, procedures and safeguards exist and function in the best interest of the University.
- Collaborates with the Associate Vice President for University Advancement, Sponsored Programs and college and unit colleagues to develop short and long-term objectives to meet goals.
- Develops and manages key corporate and foundation relationships to secure gifts for the university.
- Uses a comprehensive and collaborative strategic and systematic approach in the development of corporate and foundation relations.
- Develops relationships with university, academic and constituent program leadership in order to understand their priorities and identify appropriate corporate and foundation support.
- Focuses on creating and submitting grant requests to fulfill the approved university gift opportunities; ensures the involvement of necessary university personnel and oversees and tracks the requests.
- Participates in special off- and on-campus visits and special projects to ensure proper coordination and involvement
- Performs other job-related duties and special projects as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:
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Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND three (3) years of demonstrated success and increased responsibility as a grant writer or fundraiser of a higher education or nonprofit institution. Additional education or experience in a related field which has demonstrated acquisition and successful application of required knowledge, skills, and abilities, such as corporate sales or business development, may be substituted for the required education and/or experience on a year-for-year basis.
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Required Qualifications:
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Demonstrated ability to address the essential functions associated with this position including the knowledge, skills and abilities identified above.
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Preferred Qualifications:
Minimum five years related experience preferred, with preference for grant writing as the main responsibility. Familiarity with the university environment and experience working with diverse populations. Ability to work in a fast-paced academic environment.
Technical fluency with Microsoft Office Professional Suite, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT; and Google mail and calendaring programs.
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Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:
- Letter of Interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Contact information for at least three professional references
Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials is 11:55 p.m. on November 13, 2025.
Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.
We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude, we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long-lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.
Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.
Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. This position is telecommute eligible; work on-site as scheduled or as requested and telecommute as scheduled.
CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.
Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.
CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)
Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.
This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.” In reference to the full disclosure letter, please refer to HR 2010-08.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.
Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.
Class Code: 3312
Publication Date: October 14, 2025