Position SummaryThe Corporate and Foundations Relations Officer is a key member of the Development team, responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding corporate and foundation funders in support of Franklin Cummings Tech's strategic priorities. This individual will manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors, develop compelling proposals and reports, and help build the institutional infrastructure for sustainable philanthropic growth. The ideal candidate brings a passion for equity-centered education, strong writing and relationship-building skills, and a proven track record of securing grants from corporate and foundation sources.
Key Responsibilities Portfolio Management
- Manage a dynamic portfolio of 60-80 corporate and foundation donors and prospects at various stages of the giving cycle by taking the lead at every stage from Letters of Intent and Proposal Development and Submission to Stewardship and Reporting. (70 %)
- Conduct prospect research to identify new funding opportunities aligned with institutional priorities. (5%)
- Develop and execute individualized annual cultivation and solicitation strategies for each portfolio entity.
Grant Writing & Reporting
- Lead the development of high-quality letters of inquiry, grant proposals, and stewardship reports.
- Collaborate with academic departments, finance, and program staff to gather data and narratives that support grant applications.
- Maintain a grant calendar/tracker to ensure timely submission of applications and compliance reports.
- Ensure all reports accurately reflect program outcomes and align with funder guidelines and requirements.
- Maintain accurate files of final submissions and balance assignments with support from two external fractional grant writers.
Relationship & Systems Management
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned major corporate and foundation funders.
- Plan and facilitate donor meetings, site visits, and cultivation events.
- Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with program officers and corporate giving representatives.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all donor activity, proposals, and communications in the CRM database (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).
- Track and report on grant revenue goals, pipeline activity, and fundraising metrics.
- Support donor acknowledgment processes to ensure timely and meaningful recognition.
Collaboration & Strategy
- Participate in Development team planning and goal-setting to align corporate and foundation efforts with overall fundraising strategy.
- Represent Franklin Cummings Tech and the Development team at external events, conferences, and sector convenings.
Requirements
Required- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree a plus.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in development, grant writing, or corporate/foundation relations, preferably in higher education, workforce development, or a related nonprofit sector.
- Commitment to equity, access, and the mission of Franklin Cummings Tech.
- Demonstrated success securing grants of $25,000 or more from corporate and/or foundation funders.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex programmatic information into compelling narratives.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
- Proficiency with CRM databases and Microsoft Office Suite.
Preferred- Experience with workforce development, STEM education, or technical education funding landscapes.
- Familiarity with regional and national corporate and foundation funders in the Boston area.
- Understanding of federal and state grant compliance requirements.
Core Competencies- Relationship-Centered Fundraising - Builds authentic, trust-based partnerships with funders.
- Strategic Communication - Crafts persuasive and tailored written materials for diverse audiences.
- Project Management - Manages complex workflows, timelines, and competing priorities effectively.
- Data-Informed Decision Making - Uses data and metrics to shape strategy and demonstrate impact.
- Collaborative Leadership - Works cross-functionally and contributes to a positive team culture.
- Equity & Inclusion Mindset - Centers equity principles in all donor engagement and storytelling.
Work EnvironmentThis position operates primarily in a professional office environment, with regular presence on campus required to assist with in-person events and donor tours. Occasional evening or weekend availability is required to support events.
Employee ExpectationsAll employees are expected to support the college's student-centered mission, contribute to institutional growth and innovation, and collaborate across departments to improve student recruitment, retention, graduation, and career placement outcomes.
Our college is an in-person institution. Campus presence is the default expectation for all employees. In-person presence remains the expectation and the standard for all staff. Flex arrangements are a discretionary privilege, not a right, and may be modified or discontinued if it is determined that flex arrangements are diminishing service quality, team cohesion, or responsiveness to students, external partners, and colleagues. The student experience and fidelity of institutional operations take priority over individual schedule preferences.
Compensation: The salary range for this role is $80,000-$100,000.Please note: Franklin Cummings Tech is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on an ongoing basis without sponsorship to be considered for this position at Franklin Cummings Tech.