Foundation Relations Officer

University of Maryland

College Park (MD)

On-site

USD 137,000 - 165,000

Full time

5 hours ago

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Job summary

The University of Maryland, College Park, seeks a Foundation Relations Officer to lead university-wide strategies for engaging foundations and securing philanthropic support for key priorities. The role partners with faculty and staff to build a robust pipeline and elevate the university’s profile among private funders.

The incumbent will manage a portfolio of foundations, provide strategic guidance, and support high-impact proposals and collaborations across disciplines, driving growth in

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required.
Five (5) years of professional development, fundraising or external relations experience.
Experience in foundation relations within higher education is preferred.
Advanced degree preferred and strongly valued.

Responsibilities

Develop university-wide strategies to engage foundations and secure philanthropic support for priorities and signature initiatives.
Collaborate with faculty and staff across the university to build a diverse pipeline and increase competitive proposals.
Manage a portfolio of up to 25 foundations and cultivate major gifts with six- and seven-figure awards.
Provide strategy, guidance, and hands-on support for fundraising proposals and multi-disciplinary initiatives.
Identify new funding sources and help raise the university’s profile among private foundations.

Skills

Donor relations

Proposal development

Strategic planning

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Fundraising

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

The mission of the Research Development Office is to grow the volume and visibility of UMD’s research enterprise. We provide customized services to help faculty and faculty-led groups across the university turn ideas into action. Whether you are launching a new initiative, communicating a vision to university leaders, or identifying opportunities for unique research contributions, we are supportive partners during pivotal moments.

Position Summary

The Foundation Relations Officer is a key member of the Research Development team within the Office of the Vice President for Research. This role is responsible for developing university-wide strategies to engage foundations and secure philanthropic support for institutional priorities and signature initiatives. The Office of Foundation Relations is jointly supported by the Division of Research and the Division of University Relations.

The incumbent will collaborate with faculty and staff across the university in order to build a strong and diverse pipeline resulting in an increase in competitive proposals and substantive relationships with foundations and other philanthropic entities.

The position provides foundation relations expertise, strategic guidance, and hands‑on support for fundraising efforts and manages a portfolio of up to twenty‑five foundations. The incumbent will secure support for the Forward: The University of Maryland Campaign for the Fearless a $2.5 billion initiative—the largest in its history. The person in this role will be responsible, over the next three years, for increasing annual support from foundations and philanthropic organizations by $7‑10 million. Working with the Director, the Foundation Relations Officer will develop university-wide collaborations; play a leading role in multi‑disciplinary and large‑scale proposals; identify new funding sources for institutional areas of excellence; and help raise the university’s profile among private foundations.

Preferences

Bachelor’s degree and 6–8 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, with an emphasis on foundation relations.
Demonstrated success establishing and stewarding relationships with foundation partners.
Proven fundraising track record, including securing six‑ and seven‑figure awards.
Experience in foundation relations within higher education.
Advanced degree.
Proven ability to establish, cultivate, and steward meaningful relationships between universities and foundations.
Demonstrated success in fundraising, with experience securing major gifts.
Strategic visioning and planning experience, including landscape analysis and generating institutional buy‑in.
Ability to translate high‑level strategy into clear programmatic goals.
Work with faculty in multiple disciplines translating complex concepts into laymen’s terms.
Strong interpersonal awareness and ability to build positive relationships and collaborate as part of cross‑functional teams.
Exceptional listening and interpretive skills.
Ability to navigate complex organizations and support others in doing so; solutions‑oriented mindset.
Creativity, sound judgment, and strong attention to detail.
Outstanding interpersonal and customer service skills; poised and professional communication style across formats and audiences.
Ability to work independently, set priorities, take initiative, and manage multiple projects efficiently.
Commitment to organizational values and responsibility for meeting goals and deadlines.
Ability to make informed decisions in fast‑paced, dynamic, and deadline‑driven environments.
Superior writing skills, including experience with proposal development.
Knowledge of foundation prospect research.
Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment occasionally at irregular hours when required to meet proposal deadlines; exerts up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings both on and off campus. Ability to work some evenings and weekends as necessary. Spending long hours in front of a computer screen.

Licenses/ Certifications

N/A

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five (5) years of professional development, fundraising or external relations experience.

Other: The position may or may not involve supervisory responsibilities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Skill in problem solving and strategic planning.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products.
Ability to develop and administer new policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to interact with donors and senior‑level executives and administrators required.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and strong adherence to deadlines required.

Additional Job Details

Required Application Materials: Cover letter and resume

Best Consideration Date: 8/28/26

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$137,280 to $164,736

Benefits Summary

For more information on Regular Exempt benefits, select this link.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

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