The
Director of Foundation Relations is a senior fundraising strategist, and relationship manager responsible for leading and growing JF&CS's institutional fundraising program- raising over $2M a year. The Director deepens foundation relationships, secures new grants and partnerships, supervises one foundation relations staff member, and positions JF&CS for long-term philanthropic growth- building off a strong track record of successful foundation fundraising.
The Director helps organizational leaders connect programmatic work to broader priorities and translate complex human-service challenges into compelling philanthropic opportunities. The ideal candidate brings deep institutional fundraising skills, sound judgment, strong project management ability, and a highly collaborative approach.
This is a full-time position with a hybrid schedule, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week of in-person work in Waltham.
Essential Duties, Responsibilities, and ExpectationsStrategic Foundation Fundraising Leadership
- Develop and implement a growth-oriented foundation relations strategy aligned with JF&CS fundraising goals and organizational priorities, grounded in a deep understanding of and connection to JF&CS strategy
Foundation Relationship Development and Stewardship
- Grow fundraising from institutional funders through cultivation, planning and solicitation of existing funders, and through developing new institutional relationships
- Manage a portfolio of foundation funders and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, renewals, and annual relationship plans
- Ensure accurate and timely submission of all proposals, reports, grant agreements, budgets, and stewardship materials
- Develop strong grant proposals, letters of inquiry, concept papers, reports and other institutional communications
- Maintain meaningful communication with current and prospective funders about JF&CS priorities, impact, and opportunities
Organizational Storytelling and Strategic Thought Partnership
- Collaborate with program, finance, evaluation, and executive leaders to understand outcomes, community needs, priorities, and opportunities
- Translate programmatic insights into strong cases for support, grant concepts, and funding strategies
- Shape organization-wide narratives that connect programs to broad agency goals and community impact
Cross-Departmental Engagement and Partnership Building
- Build trusted relationships across the agency to support donor strategies, cultivation, research and stewardship
- Coach, mentor, and develop foundation relations staff member to strengthen fundraising effectiveness, strategic thinking, and professional growth
- Collaborate with finance and program teams to deliver accurate grant budgets, outcomes reporting, and compliance with funding requirements
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with a strong track record in foundation relations and institutional giving
- Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure grants and building long-term funder relationships
- Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports
- Strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate complex program work into clear cases for support
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
- Experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring staff preferred
- A highly collaborative, relationship-oriented approach and the ability to work effectively across teams
- Proficiency with fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge/Blackbaud) and prospect research and grants management tools (e.g. Instrumentl)
- Comfort using AI tools to enhance research, writing and productivity, along with sound judgment about their appropriate use
- Commitment to the mission and values of JF&CS to serving people of all faiths, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities
Please note that a cover letter is required. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.
#JFCS1
