Manager, Foundation Development

Manager, Foundation Development

Organization 

Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization leading the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Through our powerful networks and advocacy, we tackle the world’s biggest sustainability challenges, including climate change, water scarcity and pollution, and human rights abuses.

For more information about Ceres, please visit our web site (www.ceres.org).

Description & Responsibilities

This Manager position on Ceres’ Foundation Team is for a highly motivated candidate interested in working in a mission-driven, dynamic and fast-moving organization that has been recognized as one of the most effective environmental NGOs in the world. The ideal candidate will have excellent relationship management, analytical, writing, and personal communication skills, be a fast learner, a team player, and able to manage challenging and competing deadlines.

The Manager role is focused on fundraising from national, regional, and international foundations. The Manager will work closely with the Senior Director, Foundation Development and program staff including in the Climate & Energy and Accelerator Programs to develop, steward, and grow funder relationships to ensure continued philanthropic support. The Manager will manage a portfolio that includes five- and six-figure funders and prospects. In addition, s/he will work with and provide guidance to Associates on the Foundation Team, who will draft some of the reports and proposals for funders in the Manager’s portfolio.

This full-time position will be based in our Boston office, and may include up to approximately 10% travel when travel resumes after the pandemic.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Secure and Steward a Portfolio of Foundation Funders

• Independently manage a portfolio of approximately 10 funders in the five- to six-figure range – which will increase over time.
• Develop and implement a strategy for each funder that will include direct meetings, involvement in Ceres’ events, and phone and email communications.
• Oversee completion of all aspects of proposal development process and reporting process.
• Build a pipeline of additional prospects, drawing on a pool of 30+ possible foundation funders. 
• Cultivate relationships with 5-10+ prospects from that pipeline.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director, Foundation Development to help develop and package new program initiatives and market them to selected funders and prospects. 
• Actively steward relationships with relevant staff of existing funders, including in-person meetings, event invitations, phone calls, and off-cycle programmatic updates by email.
• Track, manage, and meet deadlines for funders in the portfolio, and assure compliance with donor requirements. 
• Maintain careful records, including managing foundation records in Salesforce database, delegating data entry tasks as needed.
• Work with program leaders and Finance Team to develop project budgets, monitor spending, and review financial reports.
• Collaborate with program staff on meetings and phone calls with funders.
• Assess internal program opportunities to elevate to foundation funders, including supporting internal program development and evaluation.
• Participate in internal and external meetings, including travel, to build and steward relationships.
• Schedule and coordinate internal meetings with program staff and external meetings and convenings with foundations, delegating as needed.
• Track staff travel schedules and opportunities.
• Participate in the creation of the a Foundation Team’s annual goals and workplan, critical to Ceres’ growth.
• Support Development Team events as needed, including activities associated with major Ceres events such as the annual conference. Oversee special projects as assigned. 

Qualifications 

• 5-7 years of professional work experience; 
• Strong writing skills with demonstrated interest and aptitude in persuasive writing;
• Two or more years of experience in a relevant field such as foundation fundraising/development desired;
• Excellent organizational abilities; demonstrated capacity to handle and prioritize multiple tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines, take precise notes, and work well in a fast-paced environment;
• Knowledge of standard development practices and techniques, proposal writing, and prospect research;
• Experience in writing grant proposals is a strong plus; Strong verbal communication skills; Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively;  
• Proficiency with database applications and MS Office Suite;
• Passion for addressing climate change, water stewardship, environmental and/or sustainability issues
• Interest in being part of a diverse workforce and willingness to support Ceres’ Commitment to Inclusion and Equity;
• Ability to travel (up to approximately 10%)

How to Apply

We encourage all applicants to review our website to familiarize themselves with Ceres before applying: www.ceres.org.  Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, two writing samples, and a list of three references.  

Ceres is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against any individual based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law.