Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

Project Access; Orange (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Long‑term disability

Term life insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Vision insurance

Pet insurance

Supplemental benefits

401(k) with 4% company match

Paid time off + 14 paid holidays

Job summary

Project Access in Orange, CA, is seeking a Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations to lead the national fundraising strategy with corporate and foundation partners. You will research, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts across 17 states, guiding a portfolio of major donors and supporting the Fund Development team to reach annual goals.

The role requires 3–5 years in nonprofit fundraising or corporate sales, a Bachelor’s in business or communications, experience with CRM systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3–5 years in corporate fundraising or nonprofit development.
• Ability to secure five- and six-figure gifts.
• Experience with portfolio management and grant writing.

Responsibilities

• Build strategic corporate partnership strategy and sustain funding base.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors.
• Oversee grant proposals, reporting, and long-term support.
• Secure sponsorships for events and manage budget lines.
• Lead Adopt a Resource Center program collaborations.
• Track donor activity in the fundraising CRM.

Skills

CRM experience

Negotiation skills

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Bloomerang

CRM systems

Job description

Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

Project Access is transforming lives in affordable housing communities across America. With over 120 Resource Centers in 17 states and a team of 145+ dedicated professionals, we connect, engage, and empower more than 27,000 children, families, and seniors each year through four key initiatives:

• Economic Stability – Building pathways to financial independence
• Education for Youth & Families – Creating opportunities for lifelong learning
• Health & Wellness – Promoting healthy, thriving communities
• Community Building – Fostering connections that strengthen neighborhoods

This is a national corporate fundraising role responsible for building, managing, and expanding a portfolio of corporate partners, financial institutions, private and public foundations and other philanthropic organizations to support Project Access’s mission and fundraising goals. You will research, prospect, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate and foundation funding across our full 17-state footprint, and support the Fund Development team in achieving the organization's annual strategic funding goal.

What you’ll do

• Build a strategic corporate partnership strategy, aligning PA priorities with the goals of corporate and foundation partners to create mutually beneficial collaborations,to grow a diversified, sustainable funding base with a local, regional, and national reach.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors and philanthropic partners; manage a portfolio of 50-75 qualified prospects capable of making $25K to $500K gifts.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of grant proposals, reporting, and ensure long-term support with ongoing relationship management.
• Secure corporate sponsorship and underwriting for all Project Access national and regional events.
• Oversee the Adopt a Resource Center program — solicitation, stewardship, and renewals.
• Provide funder site tours and represent Project Access to corporate stakeholders.
• Contribute to the annual corporate fundraising plan: strategy, targets, timelines, costs, and projected income.
• Partner with Marketing on positioning, sales materials, and campaign support.
• Track all prospect and donor activity in Bloomerang; maintain accurate pipeline data.

Leadership & Visibility

• Serve as a public-facing spokesperson and advocate for Project Access in the corporate community.
• Cultivate relationships with program managers and executives, deliver proposal presentations and secure gifts.
• Maintain close relationships with donors, communicating their support’s impact and stewarding their investment.
• Own budget lines relevant to this role and participate in the annual budget process.
• Maintain a live metrics dashboard for the corporate pipeline; report progress against goal regularly.
• Equip the Board, CEO, and volunteer leaders with the tools and talking points to open corporate doors.
• Attend industry events and conferences to build and maintain a national network.

What you bring

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications or a related field.

Experience

• Three to five years of experience in corporate sales or nonprofit fundraising/development. Experience in both is preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure corporate partnerships.
• Experience in strategic planning, portfolio management, and grant writing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of CRM/donor database systems (e.g., Bloomerang) and pipeline reporting.
• Strong business acumen, active listening, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to proactively advance a funding pipeline from prospecting through close.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and keep stakeholders informed proactively.
• Sound judgment in handling confidential information.
• Emotional intelligence, persistence, problem-solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and creativity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
• Experience in the social impact, social services, or education sector.
• Knowledge of philanthropy trends, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit development practices.

Credentials/Certifications

• Successful completion of background check
• Valid Driver’s License, clean driving record, and current automobile insurance.

Physical Job Requirements

• The physical activity of this position includes sitting for long periods of time, minimal lifting, bending, walking, kneeling, reaching, and step climbing.

The details:

• Work location: Hybrid near corporate office in Orange, CA
• Work schedule: This is a full-time, exempt position; Monday through Friday and may include non-traditional hours (evenings and occasional weekends)
• Reports to: CEO & President
• Travel: Approximately 50% nationwide travel to meet and tour donors and funders, attend and participate in speaking engagements, and visit Project Access Resource Centers.
• Annual compensation: $95,000-$107,000. Placement within the salary range is determined by a combination of factors including experience and qualifications.
• Benefits:
  • Health insurance, dental insurance, long-term disability, term life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, the following voluntary benefits are available at 100% employee cost: vision insurance, voluntary life insurance, pet insurance, and supplemental benefits.
  • Safe Harbor 401(k) with 4% company match .
  • Paid time off + 14 paid holidays

Project Access, Inc. is an at-will and equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace. We value diversity in all its forms and actively seek to build a team that reflects the richness of our community. Our hiring practices are designed to identify and welcome talented individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, cultural background, religious beliefs or practices, gender identity or expression, relationship status, age, neurotype, physical or sensory abilities, sexual orientation, military service history, or any other aspect of their identity protected by law. We believe that a diverse team leads to better ideas, more innovative solutions, and a stronger community impact. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives and skills.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the job holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the position.

95,000 - 107,000 USD per year (Corporate Office - HQ)