Associate Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations

Liberty Seeds; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

Paid time off

Parental leave

Life and disability insurance

401(k) employer match

Job summary

The Cato Institute in Washington, DC, is seeking an Associate Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations to grow philanthropic support from corporate and foundation partners.

The role requires at least five years of fundraising experience with the ability to manage relationships independently and contribute to proposal and grant strategy.

Based at headquarters with hybrid work, occasional travel, and potential for a virtual position; salary ranges from $80,000 to $115,000 per year.

Qualifications

• At least five years of fundraising experience.
• Experience securing and growing philanthropic support.
• Ability to develop and execute proposals and reports.

Responsibilities

• Steward and grow a portfolio of corporate and foundation supporters.
• Connect partners with content aligned to interests.
• Guide outreach and proposal strategy.
• Coordinate meetings, briefings, and events.
• Manage the foundation and corporate pipeline with moves-management.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Grant/proposal writing

Relationship management

Communication skills

Donor engagement

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Associate Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations

Hybrid

Washington, DC

Associate Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations

Cato seeks an Associate Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations to help grow philanthropic support from a portfolio of corporate and foundation partners. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of fundraising experience with the ability to manage relationships independently and contribute at a high level to proposal and grant strategy. Reporting to the Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, they will own a portfolio of these relationships, working closely with the Director on strategy and helping to manage the pipeline as a whole.

The position is based at Cato's headquarters in Washington, DC, and requires occasional travel and work on weekends and evenings. Exceptional candidates may be considered for a virtual position.

The projected salary range for this role is $80,000–$115,000 per year. Compensation is based on the successful candidate's educational background, experience, and skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Steward and grow a portfolio of corporate and foundation supporters through regular, substantive engagement that strengthens relationships and increases philanthropic support
• Stay closely informed on Cato's research, policy work, and events to proactively connect partners with content aligned with their interests and priorities
• Apply a sophisticated understanding of which policy areas are most relevant to each partner to guide outreach, engagement, and proposal strategy
• Coordinate meetings, briefings, and events connecting supporters with Cato scholars
• Work with teams across the Institute to craft compelling proposals and reports that accurately communicate Cato's work and impact
• Identify, qualify, and research prospective foundation and corporate partners
• Represent Cato at networking events, following up with new contacts to advance relationships
• Help manage the foundation and corporate pipeline as a whole, in partnership with the Director, including building and executing moves-management plans, soliciting gifts, and maintaining a comprehensive calendar of proposal and reporting deadlines and accurate records in Salesforce

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial, able to work independently, and passionate about Cato's mission.

• At least five years of experience in fundraising, with demonstrated success securing and growing philanthropic support
• Demonstrated grant or proposal writing experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• High level of interpersonal and relationship-building skills; excellent judgment in donor-facing situations
• Comfort engaging with complex public policy issues, and the ability to translate Cato's research into language that resonates with institutional partners' specific interests
• Ability to manage multiple relationships and deadlines simultaneously
• A belief in Cato's mission and vision and the ability to articulate that mission to others

All Cato employees are offered the following:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Generous vacation and sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Employer-provided life and disability insurance
• 401(k) employer match

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.