Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted, and most trusted think tanks!

 

The Office of Development manages fundraising across the institution. Focused on a constituency-based fundraising model, our team works directly with the research programs and executive office to set an overarching fundraising strategy that supports the important work of our scholars.

 

In Brookings Development, we aim to: 

• Build and nurture relationships with donors and prospects to raise critical financial resources in support of the institution’s fiscal health and to advance the mission of Brookings.  
• Safeguard Brookings’ institutional values of Quality, Independence, and Impact. 
• Amplify the impact of our scholars’ research and steward our donors’ generosity with compelling and innovative programming for our donor groups. 
• Support our Board of Trustees in carrying out its fiduciary responsibilities to protect and sustain the institution. 
• Partner closely with our colleagues across Brookings by providing best-in-class fundraising and fundraising operations to benefit all research programs. 
• In everything we do, strive for excellence, act with integrity, communicate with honesty, show respect and collegiality, be proactive, collaborative, creative, and solutions-oriented. 

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

 

Please Note: This position is included in the staff bargaining unit, Brookings United, affiliated with the IFPTE Local 70 union, and is covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

 

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings’ success?

 

The Development Officer, Institutional Giving is responsible for driving foundation and government fundraising efforts in support of Brookings scholars focused on inclusive education and skills development, as well as peace, security, and multilateral trends and issues. Reporting to the Senior Director, Institutional Giving, this individual works closely with program leadership, scholars, and colleagues across Brookings' development, finance, grants management, communications, and legal functions to build and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that strengthen donor relationships and secure new institutional support. This position is charged with managing a portfolio of foundation, government, and international non-governmental donors, with a particular emphasis on retention and revenue growth. The Development Officer will craft and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans to advance strategic programmatic initiatives. This individual will also ensure full alignment with Brookings’ policies and fundraising best practices, maintaining a high standard of compliance, coordination, and professionalism. The ideal candidate will bring significant frontline fundraising and proposal drafting experience, a strong track record of securing institutional support, excellent relationship management skills, and the ability to translate complex research into compelling, fundable opportunities.

 

Fundraising and Donor Relations (70%)

• Develops and implements strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation, government, and other institutional donors in coordination with scholars and Development leadership.
• Manages a portfolio of institutional donors and prospects, including scholar-specific and programmatic support.
• Creates and executes tailored moves management plans to guide donors through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship lifecycle.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for grant negotiations, gift agreements, and donor communications.
• Collaborates with scholars to develop high-quality concept notes, solicitation letters, cases for support, and proposals aligned with donor guidelines and programmatic priorities.
• Advises scholars on fundraising opportunities and prepares them for donor engagement, including talking points, briefings, and meeting support.
• Represents Brookings' scholars and programs to institutional donors and prospects.
• Plans and executes donor meetings, cultivation events, and engagement opportunities; follows up to deepen relationships.
• Acknowledges institutional support through appropriate public and private recognition strategies. 

Tasks in Support of Fundraising (30%)

• Collaborates with the Senior Director and broader Development team to align goals, track performance, and advance institutional fundraising priorities.
• Oversees fundraising operations related to assigned portfolios; tracks progress using defined KPIs and reporting tools.
• Understands and works collaboratively on agreement management and execution through facilitation and negotiation both internally with colleagues and externally with funders. 
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records in Raiser’s Edge NXT and in other systems, including contact information, solicitation status, prospect pipeline management, and activity tracking.
• Ensures adherence to institutional policies, donor guidelines, and industry best practices.
• Performs additional duties as assigned to support the mission and goals of the Development department and the Brookings Institution.

 

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

 

Education/Experience Requirements

 

Bachelor’s degree required. Five years of relevant fundraising experience required (preferably within a think tank or international non-profit organization). Experience with grants and direct solicitations from donors at the $100,000 level or higher, preferred.  

 

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

 

Familiarity with research-oriented work environments preferred. Superior oral and written communication skills required, including proven ability to successfully identify, steward, and solicit institutional donors.  Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and Power Point) required; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge NXT a plus. Capacity to learn other types of software programs; familiarity with on-line research resources. Must possess ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines; ability to work well with others; initiative; discretion; mature judgment; entrepreneurial spirit; and professional demeanor and high level of comfort working with high-profile individuals.    

 

Additional Information

 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.

 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: If you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening, you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.