Grants Manager, Foundation Partnerships

Inside Philanthropy; Arlington, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

BBB Wise Giving Alliance is seeking an experienced development professional in the United States to cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with private foundations and major donors. The role requires managing a diverse portfolio, aligning fundraising opportunities with organizational priorities, and collaborating across leadership to expand revenue streams.

You will lead proposal development and reporting to demonstrate impact while ensuring timely communication and engagement with funders.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in foundation relations and/or major gifts fundraising.
• Success in personal cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and closing of five- and six-figure leadership gifts from foundations and/or individual donors.
• A self-starter who is data- and deadline-driven, with the ability to multi-task and strong organizational/time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation partners and major individual donors.
• Qualify and manage a portfolio of prospective and current funders who support transparency and ethical philanthropy.
• Partner with senior leadership to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities and funding goals.
• Initiate and sustain authentic, trust-based relationships with foundation officers.
• Serve as a primary contact for select funders, ensuring thoughtful communication and follow-up.
• Collaborate with board members and senior staff to leverage networks and deepen donor engagement.
• Lead or support the development of compelling grant proposals and donor briefings.
• Oversee reporting and stewardship to keep funders informed and confident in impact.
• Track deadlines, deliverables, and outcomes with precision.
• Identify new funding opportunities through proactive research and relationship mapping.
• Manage a healthy pipeline of foundation and major-gift prospects and move relationships forward.

Skills

Foundation relations

Major gifts fundraising

Donor communications

Proposal writing

Research & pipeline

Job description

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance seeks an experienced development professional to help cultivate, steward, and grow relationships with private foundations that believe that trust is the bedrock of philanthropy.

The successful candidate will bring hands on experience successfully managing and building institutional relationships, have a keen awareness of how to meet annual fundraising revenue goals, and bring both discipline and grace to the work: an ability to move easily between strategy and conversation, research and relationship, long-range vision and near-term results.

Foundation & Major Donor Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward foundation partners and major individual donors.
• Qualify and manage a strong, values-aligned portfolio of prospective and current funders who support transparency, accountability, and ethical philanthropy.
• Partner with senior leadership to align funding opportunities with organizational priorities and funding goals.

Relationship Building

• Initiate and sustain authentic, trust-based relationships with foundation officers.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for select high-level current and potential funders, ensuring thoughtful communication and consistent follow-up.
• Collaborate with board members and senior staff to leverage their networks and deepen donor engagement.

Proposal Development & Stewardship

• Lead or support the development of compelling grant proposals, concept papers, and donor briefings.
• Oversee reporting and stewardship to ensure funders feel informed, respected, and confident in the impact of their support.
• Track deadlines, deliverables, and outcomes with precision and care.

Research & Pipeline Development

• Identify new funding opportunities through proactive research and relationship mapping.
• Proactively manage a healthy pipeline of foundation and individual major-gift prospects, initiating qualifying and cultivation meetings and moving relationships forward with intention.

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with program, communications, and leadership teams to translate work into fundable narratives.
• Contribute to internal planning discussions related to revenue diversification and growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in foundation relations and/or major gifts fundraising.
• Success in personal cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and closing of five-and six-figure leadership gifts at a high level from foundations and/or individual donors.
• A self-starter, data and deadline driven,and ability to multi-task with solid organizational and time-management skills
  • Strong writing skills, with experience crafting proposals, reports, and donor communications.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to analyze data and information to drive strategic development of a portfolio.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort engaging senior leaders, board members, and funders.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to manage details, timelines, and multiple priorities.
  • Alignment with the mission and values of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and a belief in ethical, donor-centered fundraising.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with nonprofit accountability, governance, or sector-wide initiatives.
• Experience working in a small, collaborative organization where flexibility and initiative are essential.