Director, Foundation Relations
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Overview
Job Description
WHO WE ARE:
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society mobilizes people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. We partner with volunteers to accomplish our work. Staff members engage volunteers through effective and timely communications, facilitating meaningful opportunities, and continually seeking and providing feedback for reciprocal growth and learning.
Job Summary:
The Director, FoundationRelationsis responsible fordeveloping andmanaginga portfolio of50-100foundationpartnershipswithin a regional structure to supportorganizationalrevenue goals andgrowth. Reportingto the Assistant Vice President, Foundation Relations,this role serves as a key relationship managerforidentifying, cultivating, and stewarding foundation partners,with a strong focus on prospecting and securing new funding sources.The Directoris responsible foreffective grant proposal development, managing deadlines, compliance, and reporting. The Director works closely with cross-functional teams to maximize foundation support andacceleratesustainable revenue growth aligned with organizational priorities.The Director playsa central rolein implementing national strategy whileidentifyingnew opportunities for foundation partnership.
Location Requirements:
This role requires approximately 10% travel annually to attend in-person meetings, trainings, constituent interactions, and events as needed. During the remaining time, work is primarily conducted remotely from either a home office or a National MS Society workspace (Society workspace not provided in all geographies).
Must be willing and able to travel through geographic service area. Requires access to reliable transportation at all times on an immediate basis.
This is a remote role with preferred location in the West, Southwest, and Southeast regions of the United States.
Compensation | Benefits:
The estimated hiring compensation range for this role is $85,000 - $105,000. Final offers will be based on the candidate's geographic location, consider career experience and may vary from this range due to these and other factors.
You will have the opportunity for a highly competitive, comprehensive benefit package that the Society provides to employees.
Your benefits include:
considerable Paid Time Off Plan
Paid Holidays
401k Retirement Savings Plan with Society match
Commuter Benefit Plan
Comprehensive Health & Welfare benefits including:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Flex Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Disability Coverage
Spring Health Membership offering free therapy and professional coaching, as well as additional voluntary benefit offerings.
Not to mention, you will join an incredible mission focused team of people!
Main Responsibilities:
Build a pipeline of foundation prospects. Understand foundation giving guidelines andfunding priorities and build new relationships with mission aligned foundations.
Independentlymanageaportfoliooffoundationpartnersoverseeingidentification,cultivation,and stewardship activities to maximize funding opportunities.
Execute portfolio management and revenue growth strategies in collaboration with the AVP to secure external funding from grantmaking foundations in support of the strategic priorities of the National MS Society.
Overseetheplanning,development,andsubmissionofcomprehensive,customized,and compelling grant proposals, cases for support, impact reports, and compliance documentationensuring alignment with the Society’s funding framework and adherence to all deadlines.
Utilize foundation prospecting tools toidentify, qualify, ensure alignmentwithand build relationships with new foundation prospects.
Develop entrepreneurial strategies to significantly grow existing portfolioand foundation revenue through proactive prospecting, pipeline development, donor engagement, and data-informed market research.
Collaboratecross-functionallytoalignfoundationstrategiesandsupportintegrated fundraising efforts.
Partner closely with finance and mission-delivery programs staff to ensure requests for restricted funding align with program priorities and capacity.
Maintainefficientprocessesforgranttracking,reporting,anddatabasemanagementto ensure data accuracy andtimelycommunications.
UseCRMtools(Salesforce) tomaintainan accurateand up-to-date donor database,monitorfundraisingmetricswithin yourportfolio,andprovideregularreports and insights to the AVP and senior leadership.
Participate in budget and revenue projection activities.
Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously,setpriorities,andmeetdeadlineswithinafast-paced,collaborativeenvironment.
Engagein strategic planning with the AVP,VPand other leadership team members.
SupporttheAVPinrepresentingtheorganizationatindustry events asneeded.
What We’re Looking For:
5-7years of demonstrated and relevant fundraising experience with advanced understandingoffoundation grants, includingprospectqualification,cultivation,solicitation,andstewardship.
Proventrack recordof writing andsubmitting30+ grant applicationsannually.
Independent ownership of a fundraising portfolio with emphasis on grantmaking foundations.
Skilled in translating grant and reporting requirements to cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment, compliance, andtimelydeliverables.
Provenabilitytomanagebroadandtechnicalfundraisingcampaigns,collaborating effectively with staff and volunteers to securefoundation grants.
Nonprofitdevelopmentexperiencewithincreasingresponsibilityin frontline fundraisingandproven ability tosuccessfullydrive6+figure partnerships.
Experience withAI, predictive analytics, and CRM tools tooptimizepipeline automation,donorjourneymapping,andforecastingtrendstoenhancedonorretentionand grantcompliance.
Extensiveexperienceworkinginremoteandhybridenvironments,overseeingboth revenue generation and project execution.
Demonstrated ability to implementinnovativefundraisingstrategiesthatdriveengagement and revenue growth.
Proven capacity to work effectively under tight deadlines,receive and incorporate feedbackprofessionally,and consistently meet fundraisinggoals.
Exceptionalprojectmanagement,strategicplanning,andnegotiationskillstodrive effective resource allocation andoptimizefundraising outcomes.
Proficiencyin CRM platforms (Salesforce preferred),leveragingdataanalyticstodrivedecision-makingandinformdata-driven fundraising strategies.
We’re committed to supporting the growth of every employee through a structured and transparent approach to career development. We use Talent Portraits to define clear expectations, development opportunities, and advancement paths — whether you're growing as a people leader or deepening your expertise as an individual contributor. Each role is thoughtfully placed within one of these pathways (Leadership or Partner) to help you understand how it fits into our broader organization and your potential career journey.
This position is classified as Professional - Knowledge Exert
The National MS Society is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strive to create a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We need you and your unique talents and perspectives to help us write the last chapter on MS.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
We appreciate your consideration of our job opportunities and strive to make it as effortless as possible to apply for our positions. With only a few required sections and the option to use our resume parsing tool, we aim to streamline the application experience, saving you time and effort. Additionally, if you wish to include a cover letter with your application, please feel free to attach it along with your resume, and any other documents required, to the Resume/CV document upload section at the bottom of the My Experience page. We appreciate your interest in joining our team and look forward to receiving your application!
Important: You will not be able to modify your application after you submit it. The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to add your cover letter and supporting document attachments. If you experience any trouble submitting your materials, please check out our FAQ & Contact Us page.
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