Assistant Director of Foundation Relations

Advserv; Bristol (RI); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI seeks an Assistant Director of Foundation Relations to expand foundation grant programs and secure four- to five-figure gifts. You will coordinate with faculty, program directors, clinicians, and researchers to align RWU priorities with funder interests.

You will research prospective funding sources, maintain foundation profiles, manage the donor database, and develop letters of intent and full proposals; you will also coordinate visits and prepare timely

Qualifications

• Grant writing or fundraising experience preferred
• Familiarity with donor databases and foundation relations
• Ability to collaborate with faculty and program staff

Responsibilities

• Develop and submit foundation proposals and letters of intent
• Identify and profile prospective funding sources and foundations
• Maintain donor records and ensure timely grant reporting communications
• Coordinate foundation visits and communications with funders and RWU leadership
• Prepare acknowledgement materials and track stewardship across grants

Job description

Assistant Director of Foundation Relations

Roger Williams University - Bristol, RI

business_center Full-time

Salary: $57,014.00 - $70,000.00 Annually

Database Administrator

Title: Assistant Director of Foundation Relations

Location: Bristol, RI

Category: Professional and Clerical

Job Type: Full-time Regular

Posted On: Tue Oct 20 2026

Job Description:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Foundation Relations, the Assistant Director of Foundation Relations is responsible for providing continued growth for foundation grant programs to secure complex grants, including four to five figure gifts. The Assistant Director works closely with administrators, program directors, clinicians, and primary investigators from Roger Williams, to raise vital funding for the Universities priorities.

Conduct thorough research to identify and assess new prospective funding sources, maintain up-to-date information on foundations, and prepare foundation pro?les in preparation to present the findings to the appropriate groups across campus.

Work within the donor database to record actions, update records, track deadlines, and ensure timely and accurate grant reporting communications.

Manage an active portfolio of foundation prospects and maintain foundation interactions, including stewardship.

Develop and execute ambitious growth plans to raise significant funding from existing and new institutional and private foundations both regionally and nationally.

Research new and existing foundation sources to support funding priorities and new initiatives.

Develop a broad and deep understanding of current fundraising priorities across campus, as outlined by the President, Provost, Vice President of Research and Academic and Research Deans.

Work with faculty and fundraising colleagues across campus to develop proposal concepts that meet potential funders' and RWU's priorities, mission, and needs.

Write, edit, and submit letters of intent and full proposals on behalf of the University, serving as the primary author in a team environment.

Create compelling and competitive proposals through engaging in productive interactions with faculty and colleagues.

Stewardship

Collaborate with Principle Investigators, Finance, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs to produce and submit grant reports.

Plan foundation visits, which may include senior academic, administrative, and volunteer leaders.

Develop acknowledgement materials such as letters, press packages, and testimonials to communicate grant impact personalized to each funder.

Additional Functions

Collaborate with campus partners on new faculty training related to grants and the Assistant Director's role in finding and securing grants, as well as additional outreach activities, and promoting foundation funding opportunities across campus.

Organize foundation visits, which may include senior academic, administrative, and volunteer leaders.

Salaries for new hires at Roger Williams University usually fall between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range.