Strategic Foundation Partnerships Lead - Remote

Environmental Defense Fund; United States; Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Robust benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Environmental Defense Fund is seeking an Institutional Partnerships Officer to lead strategic fundraising with foundations and donor collaboratives. You will manage a portfolio of institutional donors, prospect new prospects, and coordinate across Global Development and program teams to drive transformative support.

The role emphasizes proposal development, donor communications, and coordinating engagements with executive leadership to expand EDF’s donor base and impact.

Qualifications

• Six+ years of nonprofit fundraising success, preferably with foundations or institutional donors.
• Experience identifying, qualifying, and cultivating new donor prospects.
• Experience with donor collaboratives, funder networks, or pooled funds is preferred.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• High integrity, discretion, and professional standards; comfortable with donor interactions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong relationship-building skills and cultural competency across diverse groups.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Salesforce.
• Willingness to travel 5–10% nationally.

Responsibilities

• Prospect and qualify institutional donors not previously engaged with EDF, coordinating with research and Development teams.
• Develop and execute donor cultivation plans aligned with EDF priorities.
• Assist with donor collaborative strategy, engagement coordination, and relationship advancement.
• Manage and steward a small portfolio of existing foundation donors, with growth planned.
• Prepare compelling proposals, reports, and donor materials with program staff and grant writers.
• Provide strategic talking points and briefing materials for donor meetings.

Skills

Writing

Communication

Presentation

Analytical skills

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Advanced degree considered for substitution

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

Environmental Defense Fund is seeking an Institutional Partnerships Officer to lead strategic fundraising with foundations and donor collaboratives. You will manage a portfolio of institutional donors, prospect new prospects, and coordinate across Global Development and program teams to drive transformative support.

The role emphasizes proposal development, donor communications, and coordinating engagements with executive leadership to expand EDF’s donor base and impact.