Development & Grant Specialist

Company: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Location: Glen Rose
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER invites applicants for the position: Development & Grant Specialist Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting endangered species through innovative breeding programs, conservation education, and immersive safari experiences. Located on 1,800 acres in Glen Rose, Texas, Fossil Rim welcomes more than 200,000 guests annually while advancing meaningful conservation work with global impact. Summary/Purpose of Position: The Development & Grant Specialist works closely with the Director of Marketing & Development, and the Executive Director as needed, to advance philanthropic support for Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. This role is central to expanding and sustaining the funding that makes Fossil Rim's conservation mission possible - from species recovery programs to capital development to daily operations. The Development & Grant Specialist will build and steward relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors; manage a growing portfolio of grant opportunities; and support the full cycle of fundraising activity. This is a mission-driven role for someone who is eager to grow professionally within the nonprofit development field. Primary Responsibilities: Grant Writing & Foundation Relations Serve as primary relationship holder for a portfolio of foundations, managing all correspondence, deadlines, reporting, and stewardship. Research and identify new grant opportunities aligned with Fossil Rim's programs and capital needs. Write and submit compelling grant proposals and letters of inquiry that clearly articulate organizational need and mission impact. Maintain a grants calendar to track letters of inquiry, proposal deadlines, award notifications, gift acknowledgments, and required reports. Keep grant application records accurate and current within Bloomerang and other organizational systems. Corporate Sponsorships Actively identify, cultivate, and manage corporate sponsorship prospects and relationships. Develop sponsorship proposals and benefit packages that align organizational needs with corporate interests. Work collaboratively with the Director of Marketing & Development to close corporate partnerships. Donor Relations & Major Gift Support Build and manage a prospect and donor pool of 25–50 individuals in various stages of cultivation. Conduct preliminary donor research to generate major gift prospects and identify upgrade opportunities from existing donors. Prepare impact materials and donor briefs for major donor meetings and VIP visits. Accompany VIP donors on-site at Fossil Rim to deepen their connection to the mission, people, and programs. Produce gift acknowledgment letters and verify that timely email acknowledgments are sent to all donors. Data & Donor Database Management Maintain donor and prospect information to a high standard in Bloomerang, including data entry, reporting, and prospect list generation. Pull data and generate reports to support development planning and board reporting. Coordinate with the Director of Marketing & Development to ensure Bloomerang records accurately reflect donor activity and communications. Events & Additional Development Support Assist in planning and coordinating fundraising events and donor-centered programming. Work closely with the department directors and staff to identify leads and engage prospects. Contribute to the development plan in consultation with the Director of Marketing & Development. Travel locally on behalf of Fossil Rim as needed for donor visits, events, or training. Regional and national travel opportunities are anticipated beginning in 2027. Desired Qualities, Experience and Educational Skills: Required Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent professional experience. 2 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, funder relationship management, or a closely related field. Proficiency with Bloomerang or a comparable donor CRM. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write persuasively for diverse audiences. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. Demonstrated knowledge of the fundraising cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build meaningful, long-term relationships with donors, sponsors, and colleagues. Genuine commitment to Fossil Rim's conservation mission and values. Preferred Experience with Freewill, Instrumental, or other grant management platforms. Familiarity with the regional philanthropic, civic, and business community. Experience supporting capital campaigns or major gift programs. Work Requirements: This is a full-time, on-site position located at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas. Standard hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Flexibility is required, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays in support of events and donor activities. All applicable Fossil Rim employee policies and procedures apply. Position Specs: A full time, exempt position. FRWC is an “at will” and equal opportunity employer. It should be noted that it is company policy to conduct background checks on potential new employees, inclusive of testing for drugs and controlled substance use. Please submit your resume today! We are a Non-Profit organization and an equal employment opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected classification under federal and state law. Fossil Rim is an “at will” and equal opportunity employer. It should be noted that it is company policy to conduct background checks on potential new employees, inclusive of testing for drugs and controlled substance use.

Keywords: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, DeSoto , Development & Grant Specialist, PR / Public Relations , Glen Rose, Texas