Summer Search Boston is seeking a Foundation Relations Manager to drive our regional institutional fundraising. Joining a 4-member Boston development team, the Manager will advance a fundraising strategy to secure $750K - $1 million from a portfolio of foundation supporters (e.g. J.M.R. Barker Foundation, Balfour Foundation) and the development of new funders. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and mission-driven team and play an important role in growing Summer Search’s impact in the Boston community.
Specifically, the Foundation Relations Manager will:
- Manage and grow a portfolio of 30-40 foundation funders to achieve an annual fundraising goal of $750K - $1 million and contribute to the team’s overall success against a $3.5 million annual revenue target.
- Identify, research, qualify and cultivate new relationships with local private and family foundations. Identify and qualify new institutional prospects consistent with annual revenue goals.
- Establish and build relationships with foundation staff, partnering with Summer Search Boston’s Director of Development and Executive Director to deepen these relationships.
- Lead the creation of proposals, concept letters, grants, and reports.
- Collaborate with program staff to maintain a grants template and build compelling grant proposals and deliver timely funding reports.
- Partner with national development team and senior leadership to maximize opportunities and relationships for network-wide funding.
WHO YOU ARE
The Foundations Relations Manager calls for a nonprofit professional with a commitment to Summer Search’s mission, teamwork, and learning. Specifically, strong candidates will bring:
- EXPERIENCE: At least 4 years of professional work experience, either in the nonprofit development field with a history of securing 5 and 6-figure foundation grants or in a role that has resulted in a deep understanding of and ability to communicate Summer Search programming and impact.
- DATA MANAGEMENT: You are adept at the process of acquiring, validating, and managing accurate information within a shared system. You leverage databases to track donor data and organize information within the Development function.
- FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES: You approach fundraising through an analytical and data-driven lens and are hands-on in translating strategy into tangible activities and goals.
- RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: You partner with prospects and donors by building lasting relationships to support the organizational mission and meet fundraising goals.
- ADAPTABILITY: You tackle challenges and unfamiliar scenarios head-on with a solutions-oriented, flexible, and curious approach. You are willing to try new things and actively seek to understand multiple perspectives.
- CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS: You have an understanding of the root causes of societal discrimination and injustices and are self-reflective about your own privilege and positional power. You apply critical thinking and take action toward liberatory and inclusive practices.
In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.
LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Work hours are Mon-Fri 9am-5pm with occasional weekend and evening special events. Work location is Summer Search Boston office in Jamaica Plain and we currently have a hybrid schedule in place. Staff can work from home 2 days a week/3 days in the office. Reliable transportation to travel to the office and local events is required.