Associate Director, Foundation Relations

Reports to: Senior Vice President for Development

Department: Development and Strategic Planning

Staff reporting to this position: None

Position classification: Exempt, Full-Time

Summary

The Center for American Progress seeks a self-starter with strong written and verbal communications skills and an ability to juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment for the new position of Associate Director, Foundation Relations. Created to help the Center pursue and capitalize on emerging opportunities for foundation funding and to help produce written communications for the organization, the Associate Director will be an integral member of the development team, helping to build a robust foundation fundraising program designed to increase the amount of support from this constituency over the next several years.

The Associate Director will work with program staff to become familiar with program content and make the case for support for various programs; conduct ongoing research to identify foundation funding opportunities; collaborate on strategies for approaching foundation prospects; track all foundation activity and deadlines; and help to write a monthly email newsletter to all donors and prospects.  In addition, the Foundation Officer will be on call to draft additional written materials for other constituencies, e.g. major donors, on an as-needed basis.

Responsibilities:

• Expand the Center’s foundation funder base and pipeline of foundation prospects through strategic alignment of the Center’s programs with the giving interests of foundation funders in relevant fields.
• Work closely with program staff to elucidate their plans and aims for an institutional donor audience.
• Translate internal plans into comprehensive and compelling proposal narratives; letters of intent; program descriptions, and so forth.
• Maintain appropriate communications with foundation funders and prospects.
• Collaborate with program staff on fulfilling all foundation reporting obligations.
• Use available research tools to stay abreast of foundation giving and identify new opportunities for foundation support for the Center.
• Establish where needed, and maintain, foundation fundraising files and systems for keeping records, tracking obligations, meeting deadlines, and sustaining outreach to and relationships with institutional funders.
• As part of orchestrating approaches and follow-up with foundation funders, deploy and support other Center staffers involved in the foundation solicitation process.
• Serve as clearinghouse for all foundation-related information, including giving guidelines, any and all correspondence between the Center and various foundations, communications between program staff and program officers, etc. 
• When needed, assist in the preparation of written materials to support the Center’s fundraising aimed at with other constituencies, chiefly major donors.

Requirements:

• Exceptional written communications skills.
• Excellent verbal skills.
• Ability to think strategically, and to anticipate and orchestrate next steps.
• Talent as a team player essential.
• Familiarity with the basic tenets of fundraising and the workings of a foundation fundraising operation.
• Ability to initiate, prioritize, and follow through on plans.
• Flexibility and sense of humor.
• Ability to balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail.

Qualifications:

• A college degree (MA, business school, or other degrees a plus).
• A minimum of four years experience in a development department, preferably at an advocacy or policy-oriented nonprofit organization.
• Grant writing experience.
• Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Research skills.
• Top-notch organizational skills.
• Computer literacy:  proficiency in Word, Excel, and donor databases.
• Commitment to the Center’s mission and the ability to translate that commitment into compelling donor communications.
• Knowledge of current affairs and familiarity with progressive issues, causes, and organizations.

Additional Information

American Progress operates two separate nonprofit organizations to maximize our progressive agenda: The Center for American Progress and the Center for American Progress Action Fund. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “American Progress.” The Center for American Progress is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt research and educational institute. It undertakes research, public education and a limited amount of lobbying. The Center for American Progress Action Fund is a non-partisan 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization dedicated to achieving progress through action. It works to transform progressive ideas into policy through rapid response communications, legislative action, grassroots organizing, political advocacy and partnerships with other progressive leaders. The organizations share office space and employees.

American Progress provides a very competitive compensation and benefits package.

American Progress is an equal opportunity employer; women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information on the Center for American Progress, please go to www.americanprogress.org.

For more information on the Center for American Progress Action Fund, please go to www.americanprogressaaction.org.

To apply, simply e-mail your Word resume and cover letter attachments to: jobs@americanprogress.org.

Or you may write to:
Center for American Progress
Attn: Human Resources Department
1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor – Development and Strategic Planning
Washington, DC 20005

In your correspondence, please reference the exact title of the job you are applying for in the subject line. This announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. No phone calls please.

Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from American Progress.

Thank you for your interest in American Progress.