Senior Foundations Manager

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Excellent benefits

Supportive working environment

Hybrid work model

Job summary

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is seeking a Senior Foundations Manager to manage and cultivate relationships with foundation donors. This role focuses on securing significant funding through engagement and strategic collaboration with various internal teams.

Qualified candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree, have 4–7 years of relevant experience in fundraising, and exhibit exceptional analytical and interpersonal skills. The position entails a hybrid work model with specific in-office requirements.

Qualifications

• 4–7 years of experience raising funds from foundations.
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience closing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with a portfolio of approximately 50 foundation donors to secure revenue.
• Identify and cultivate foundation prospects for specific programs at NRDC.
• Work closely with program staff, writers, and finance staff on proposals and reports.
• Orchestrate and coordinate interactions with foundations across the organization.
• Stay current on foundation trends and incorporate them into fundraising plans.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records and follow departmental processes.
• Collaborate with Development stakeholders and manage multiple projects.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Writing skills

Organizational skills

Detail-oriented

Knowledge of environmental issues

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

NRDC is seeking a Senior Foundations Manager to work with its Development team in one of its U.S. based offices. The Senior Foundations Manager will be responsible for managing a portfolio of U.S.-based foundations, strategically and collaboratively raising six‑, seven‑ and eight‑figure grants toward institutional fundraising goals.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with a portfolio of approximately 50 foundation donors and prospects to secure revenue, including developing engagement strategies, managing proposal and reporting processes, and providing updates, briefings and other engagement opportunities.
• Identify and cultivate foundation prospects in collaboration with development research staff for specific programs and NRDC overall.
• Work closely with program staff, writers, finance and grants management staff to oversee the preparation and delivery of proposals, concepts, reports and other materials to foundations.
• Orchestrate and coordinate interactions with foundations across the organization, serving as a key partner to leadership and staff.
• Stay current on foundation trends, news and priorities and incorporate them into fundraising plans.
• Maintain up‑to‑date records and follow organizational and departmental processes, including moves management systems.
• Collaborate with all Development stakeholders, including writers, grant managers, researchers, principal and major gifts, donor systems, and donor relations teams.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting all deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 4–7 years of experience raising funds from foundations.
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience closing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.

Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Exceptional analytical skills and ability to develop creative engagement strategies in collaboration with program staff and Development and Executive leadership.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and ability to maintain productive external and internal relationships.
• Superior writing skills and demonstrated ability to develop proposals, reports and other donor‑facing materials, including budgets and financial reports.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize, delegate, and simultaneously oversee multiple streams of work to meet overlapping deadlines.
• Detail‑oriented with high standards of excellence.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and environmental foundations preferred.
• Ability to travel domestically (approximately 10% annually).
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles.

Benefits

• Salary range $100,000 to $110,000, based on nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience.
• Competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment.
• Hybrid work model: Employees required to work from the office 8 days per month.

EEO Statement

NRDC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, NRDC will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.