Senior Director, Foundation Relations

Alliance for Justice; United States; Remote; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance for Justice in the United States seeks a Senior Director, Foundation Relations to lead the foundation fundraising program for AFJ and AFJ Action Campaign. The role drives grant strategy from major donors, family/personal foundations, and national funders, coordinating with leadership to expand and diversify the portfolio.

The Senior Director will guide staff, shape program narratives, and articulate AFJ’s policy and legal goals to philanthropic partners, ensuring alignment with IRS

Qualifications

• Experience securing grants from foundations and philanthropic sources.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate mission into revenue through strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Manage the foundation portfolio with focus on unrestricted and multi-year funding and renewal of support.
• Develop systems to identify prospects and secure new funding; stay current on philanthropic trends.
• Coordinate with AFJ/AFJ Action leadership to expand and diversify funding.

Skills

Grant fundraising

Foundation relations

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Job description

| Job Title | Senior Director, Foundation Relations | | Reports to | Vice President of Institutional Advancement | | FLSA Status | Exempt Position |

Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a national association of over 140 organizations representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. AFJ’s programs comprise four core pillars: Our Bolder Advocacy program builds progressive power by providing nonprofit advocates with the training, technical assistance, and resources they need to comply with the federal and state laws associated with nonprofit advocacy. Bolder Advocacy is the nation’s leading resource for foundations and nonprofits who want to engage more actively and knowledgeably in the policymaking process. AFJ Law deepens our support of nonprofits’ advocacy, strengthen the progressive movement’s ability to advocate within the bounds of IRS restrictions on tax-exempt organizations, and ensure compliance to keep their organizations safe. AFJ Law goes beyond providing technical assistance to providing legal advice on nonprofit clients’ activities. Our Justice Program works to ensurethatour state and federal courts protect our democracy and our core rights and values, preserve human rights, and provide access to justice for all. We research federal judicial nominees, educate the public and elected leaders about them, and advocate for demographically and professionally diverse nominees, who will protect our rights. Our Outreach & Membership team deepens and expands the engagement of AFJ’s core constituencies, including supporting our member organizations with Bolder Advocacy, judicial nominations, and capacity building resources to advance their missions. We also educate and mobilize members, partners, and advocates with the tools and AFJ resources they need to advocate for courts that protect the rights of all us and defend nonprofits’ role in protecting our democracy. AFJ Action promotes a national conversation about the importance of the courts and other key AFJ issues through advocacy, research, and mobilizing progressive advocates and voters. It also serves as the leading expert on the legal framework for 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy efforts because we believe it will take all of us to defend our democracy.

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Foundation Relations is a vital role in advancing the Alliance for Justice’s and AFJ Action Campaign’s missions. They are part of a high-performing Development team charged with raising $11+ million annually from a diverse base of supporters: major donors, family/personal foundations, national and regional foundations, direct response contributors, and via our annual events; the full foundations portfolio brings in approximately $6-8 million annually and consists of more than 60 active grants.

In addition to leading the organization’s efforts to secure grants from foundations, philanthropies, and other institutional entities for the Alliance for Justice and affiliated organization Alliance for Justice Action Campaign, they will guide and collaborate with AFJ/AFJ Action’s leaders and staff, who are among the nation’s preeminent democracy and justice policy reformers. AFJ is looking for a seasoned foundations professional, with a track record for successful strategies, increased growth in revenue, and a go-getter attitude that can grow and diversify our portfolio of funding to new heights.

This position requires fluency in discussing and describing AFJ/AFJ Action’s policy and legal goals, and the activities and strategies employed to reach them to a variety of audiences. A successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communications skills that enable effective philanthropic relationships. Additionally, a successful Senior Director, Foundation Relations will create new and innovative ways to package our program work, and pitch expansion and new projects. Related, they will provide a strategic voice in matching mission to revenue.

This role reports to and closely collaborates with the VP of Institutional Advancement and has a direct report in the Senior Foundation Relations Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the foundation portfolio, with a focus on seeking and moving toward unrestricted and multi-year funding and on maintaining partnerships to secure renewed and expanded support.
• Develop and oversee systems to regularly identify prospects and approaches to secure new funding for AFJ/AFJ Action. Stay abreast of philanthropic trends and foundation giving.
• Project manage and