Foundation Manager

Food & Water Watch is looking for a Foundation Manager to join our Philanthropy team and help raise funds to protect our food, water, and climate. The Foundation Manager will work closely with foundation funders and other staff at Food & Water Watch.

About Food & Water Watch:

Food & Water Watch is working to create a healthy future for all people and generations to come—a world where everyone has food they can trust, clean drinking water and a livable climate. Making this happen requires involving people in the pressing issues of our time at the local, state, and federal level, building on one win after another, as we develop a larger movement that has the political power to make our democratic process work.

About the position:

The Foundation Manager will report to the Director of Foundation Relations and will work with other staff on the philanthropy and organizing teams to support Food & Water Watch’s work. The Foundation Manager will support the organization’s fundraising efforts by working as part of a team to oversee Food & Water Watch’s portfolio of foundation funders and prospects. The Foundation Manager plays a key role on the philanthropy team and will be responsible for expanding the program that raises over 4 million annually. The Foundation Manager contributes by identifying new sources of funding through prospect research and creating tailored cultivation opportunities for both prospects and current foundation partners. 

Salary: $70,000 – $83,000

Location: Remote

Responsibilities: 

1. Identify funding needs and opportunities. Collaborate with Program staff around the country to identify funding needs and opportunities. 
2. Prospect research. Use research databases to identify foundation prospects and create highly detailed prospect lists for varying campaign needs.
3. Create moves-management plans for funder prospects. Strategize with the Foundation team to create plans for funder prospects, including tailored emails, memos, reports, and events.
4. Help oversee grant application calendar. Work with the Foundations team to ensure all grant narratives and required information is high quality ahead of submission.
5. Coordinate logistical oversight of funder meetings. This includes scheduling and portfolio preparation ahead of all funder meetings.
6. Lead funder meetings for prospects. Lead funder meetings and train program staff on best practices while meeting with funders.
7. Track grants in our database. Keep all foundation records and associated contact records up to date in our database (Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack).
8. Assist the Salesforce Operation staff. Working with operations staff on database issues as they relate to the Foundation program and initiate new database functionality ideas as needed to enhance the effectiveness of Salesforce.
9. Monitor progress towards team goals. Work with the Foundation team to monitor progress towards goals, metrics and benchmarks laid in the five-year strategic plan.
10. Attend regular program and campaign meetings. Stay attuned to 20+ organizational campaigns
11. Assist in completing financial requirements. Work with the Director of Foundation Relations to complete financial requirements for foundation proposals and reports.
12. Support Our Culture of Philanthropy. Demonstrate an understanding of the essential role of our members and supporters, and consistently serve as an ambassador for FWW/FWA and our work. Participate in or attend events and other activities as appropriate that are organized for our supporters and donors. Be cognizant of fundraising opportunities and share contacts and information that will help build and sustain FWW/FWA.
13. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

●  Proven results of securing six-figure grants, including management of grants from pre to post-award.

●  Strong communication skills (written and verbal) for directly interacting with funders for the purposes of prospecting, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.

● Accountable for meeting revenue goals of the fundraising program.

● Commitment to Food & Water Watch’s core values of justice, human dignity, fair treatment, and equity.

● Ability to work effectively with people of diverse racial, ethnic, class, age, gender, and sexual orientation backgrounds.

● Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.

● Excellent time management & organizational skills and ability to balance multiple projects.

● Ability to work remotely using basic online programs, including email, Slack, and Google docs.

Desired but not required skills and experience:

• 4-6 years of fundraising experience.
• Has specialized knowledge and/or experience around environmental issues related to food, water, and climate.
• Experience managing a portfolio of 100+ foundations, including juggling multiple deadlines, creating cultivation and stewardship opportunities, and conveying progress and impact during virtual and in-person meetings.
• CRM database experience, preferably Salesforce. Candidates should be comfortable creating reports for analytical purposes. 
• Some management experience is preferred.
• Experience managing a portfolio of 100+ foundations, including juggling multiple deadlines, creating cultivation and stewardship opportunities, and conveying progress and impact during virtual and in-person meetings.

Compensation: $70,000 – $83,000 annually dependent upon experience and location.

Food & Water Watch provides an excellent benefits package for full-time employees. This includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision plans for staff; 403b retirement plans with employer contribution after 1 year; 12 weeks paid parental leave; 3 weeks vacation for new employees; 12 sick days and 5 personal days; paid federal holidays and winter break (December 24 – January 1).   

This position is a bargaining unit position covered under a contract between Food & Water Watch and the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU).           

Click here to apply. Please include as one combined document your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to be considered. Position open until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We will review your application and if we feel that your knowledge, skills, and abilities are potentially a good match for our organization, we will be in contact with you.

Food and Water Watch is an equal opportunity employer that encourages applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other members of underrepresented groups.

Food & Water Watch (FWW) is committed to the health and safety of its staff members. Moreover, FWW, as an organization, promotes science-based policy. Science clearly shows that unvaccinated populations drive the spread of the coronavirus and the emergence of new variants, and that unvaccinated people are more likely to contract COVID and experience severe symptoms. Effective immediately, prospective new staff members are required to provide proof of vaccination or request a waiver as a condition of their offer of employment.