Foundation Relations Director

Meals on Wheels America; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Meals on Wheels America is seeking a highly motivated Foundation Relations Director to lead the organization’s foundation and grant fundraising efforts. This role will focus on securing financial support from foundations and institutional donors to advance Meals on Wheels America’s mission of ensuring no senior is left hungry or isolated.

The Director will manage a portfolio of institutional donors, develop and execute strategic funding initiatives, and work closely with senior leadership to

Qualifications

• 7+ years in nonprofit development focused on foundation relations and institutional fundraising.
• Proven ability to secure significant foundation grants and manage relationships with institutional donors.
• Experience developing and executing strategic fundraising plans and identifying new funding sources.
• Excellent proposal writing, reporting, and donor communications skills.
• Ability to collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to align funding priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 20–30 foundation and institutional donors.
• Lead development and execution of a comprehensive foundation relations strategy.
• Write proposals, grants, and reports to funders with measurable outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with foundation program officers and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and corporate partnerships to align messaging and strategy.
• Track progress using donor management systems and maintain deadlines.
• Identify new funding opportunities to sustain and grow impact.
• Travel as needed for donor events, meetings and site visits.

Skills

Foundation portfolio management

Grant writing

Donor relations

Fundraising strategy

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Travel readiness

EveryAction

Tools

EveryAction

Job description

At Meals on Wheels America, we are deeply committed to supporting the more than 5,000 community-based organizations across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Quite simply, our vision is an America in which all seniors live nourished lives with independence and dignity, and we are looking for champions who are passionate about advancing our strategic plan to End the Wait® .

Named a Culture Leader for four consecutive years by theKudos Best Culture Awardsfor being an organization that has demonstrated innovative and unique strategies to build an exceptional workplace culture and drive employee engagement.

Certified as aPet-Centric Employerby Pet Benefit Solutions, for the pet-forward benefits we offer – like pet insurance and pet bereavement leave – along with our national partnership with PetSmart Charities to keep humans and their loving companions happy and healthy together.

Recognized with the 2026 Healthy Business Award by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being, health and overall quality of life.

Included in Fast Company’s 2024 Brands That Matter list, honoring brands that resonate with individuals and communities in a profound way. Through captivating branding and marketing efforts, these companies and nonprofits have established relevance and impact on culture.

Position:Foundation Relations Director

Location: Arlington, VA

Job Id:309

# of Openings:1

Foundation Relations Director

Overview of Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting approximately 5,000 community-based providers across the country dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. Through public awareness, funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers local providers to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. At a time when demand for Meals on Wheels services is growing, and many seniors are left waiting, Meals on Wheels America is dedicated to helping End the Wait® and ensuring every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it. For more information, or to locate a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Position Summary

Meals on Wheels America is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Foundation Relations Director to lead the organization’s foundation and grant fundraising efforts. This role will focus on securing financial support from foundations and institutional donors to advance Meals on Wheels America’s mission of ensuring no senior is left hungry or isolated.

The Director will manage a portfolio of institutional donors, develop and execute strategic funding initiatives, and work closely with senior leadership to meet and exceed fundraising goals.

This position will also play a key role in building and maintaining relationships with funders, writing compelling proposals, and stewarding ongoing engagement with foundations to drive sustainable, long-term support for the organization’s programs and initiatives.

The Foundation Relations Director will report to the Vice President, Philanthropy and is an Arlington, VA-based hybrid role.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Foundation Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of 20 - 30 foundation and institutional donors, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding grants and multi-year funding agreements to support organizational priorities.
• Strategic Grant Development: Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive foundation relations strategy, identifying and securing funding from public and private foundations as well as other institutional sources.
• Proposal Writing and Reporting: Write compelling proposals, grant applications and reports that clearly communicate the impact of Meals on Wheels America’s work. Ensure timely and accurate submission of proposals and reports to funders.
• Donor Stewardship: Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with foundation representatives and key stakeholders. Ensure donors are regularly updated on the impact of their contributions, demonstrating clear outcomes and alignment with their funding priorities.
• Collaboration: Work closely with senior leadership to align funding opportunities with the organization’s strategic priorities while working closely with the corporate partnerships team to align messaging and strategy where appropriate
• Tracking and Metrics: Use Meals on Wheels America’s donor management software, EveryAction, to track progress toward funding goals, manage relationships, and report on key performance indicators. Identify and implement tools and information sources specific to grant seeking. Maintain an ongoing schedule of application and reporting deadlines.
• Partnership Development: Identify and cultivate new funding opportunities with foundations, agencies, and institutional partners to sustain and grow Meals on Wheels America’s impact.
• Compliance and Data Integrity: Ensure that all foundation grants are compliant with donor privacy guidelines and that records are accurately maintained.
• Industry Trends: Stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in foundation relations and nonprofit fundraising, incorporating innovative strategies to maximize revenue generation.

Qualifications or Skills Required

• Minimum of 7 years in nonprofit development, with a focus on foundation relations, grant writing, and institutional fundraising. Experience working with a national nonprofit with a federated or decentralized model a plus.
• Proven ability to secure significant foundation grants and manage relationships with institutional donors.
• Experience in developing and executing strategic fundraising plans, identifying new funding sources, and thinking creatively to meet revenue goals.
• Exceptional ability to write persuasive and compelling proposals, reports, and donor communications.
• Strong track record of building and maintaining relationships with foundation program officers, corporate partners, and key stakeholders.
• Experience working closely with senior leadership, program staff, and key volunteers to align donor interests with organizational needs.
• Proficiency in donor management systems, particularly EveryAction, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel as needed for donor events, meetings, and site visits as needed.
• Excels in a team-based, collaborative, virtual environment working across the enterprise to advance the Association’s mission, values, and goals.
• Models the Association’s cultural attributes of Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment and Service (C.A.R.E.S.)

Candidates meeting 75% or more of the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.