Funder Relations Manager

Foundation Relationship Management & Stewardship (35%) Serve as the primary relationship contact for an assigned portfolio of $6M+ in foundation revenue, developing and executing individualized engagement and stewardship plans, and keeping funders informed of organizational impact through timely updates and reports. Review and qualify new foundation prospects aligned with organizational priorities, from research from the Development Data and Research Coordinator. Consistently log, track, and manage all funder interactions and communications in the CRM following established standards. Lead content development and logistics for funder engagement activities, including quarterly newsletters, virtual funder briefings, and funder conferences, in partnership with the Resource Mobilization Director. Make day-to-day decisions on CJA’s foundation portfolio and, when needed, escalates major strategy shifts, high-value funder decisions, and annual planning to the Resource Mobilization Director. Grant Writing & Proposal Development (35%) Lead the development and submission of grant deliverables, including but not limited to letters of inquiry, grant proposals, interim reports, and final reports for foundations via email and grantee portals, ensuring all deliverables are accurate, timely, and reflect organizational strategy and impact. Apply foundation research and RFP analysis provided by the Development Data and Research Coordinator to tailor all proposals and deliverables effectively. Collaborate with program and finance staff to gather accurate budgets, program data, and impact metrics needed for proposals and reports. Manage grant compliance by tracking award conditions, reporting obligations, and renewal timelines in coordination with the Development Data and Research Coordinator. Internal Collaboration & Supervision (20%) Supervise the Development Data and Research Coordinator, providing clear direction on prospect research priorities, CRM standards, and grants calendar management. Partner with the Resource Mobilization Director to set annual foundation revenue goals and develop strategies to meet them. Collaborate with communications and program teams to develop funder-facing content and impact narratives. Participate in team meetings, budgeting, work planning processes, and special initiatives as needed. Build Healthy & Sustainable Organizational Work Culture and Other Responsibilities (10%) Contribute to CJA’s culture of innovation, teamwork, and continuous learning. Collaborate and support each other within and across teams, excelling in an environment where every member takes care of their own basic administrative needs and participates in regular all-staff learning and development spaces. Take on additional accountabilities and areas of work as the organization grows. Supervise the Development Data and Research Coordinator. Expected hours of work Standard days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in your time zone. Daily schedule is flexible within the proximity of this time frame and will be decided in consultation with your supervisor. Travel Moderate domestic travel (2‑4 times per quarter) for meetings or conferences would be required for this position. Physical duties of this role Ability to work at a computer and participate in video conferencing, speaking and typing for extended periods of time. Occasional physical duties Responsible for logistics during travel which includes lifting items (not in excess of 25 lbs.), coordinating meals/catering, and driving. (CJA is willing and able to make reasonable accommodations for candidates who may not be able to fulfill these tasks) Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience 3–5 years of experience in foundation relations, grant writing, or institutional fundraising. Demonstrated success managing a foundation portfolio and securing philanthropic grants. Experience supervising or managing junior staff, providing clear direction, professional development support, and accountability. Strong grant writing skills across letters of inquiry, proposals, interim and final reports. Experience managing grant compliance, including award conditions, reporting obligations, and renewal timelines. Proficiency in CRM systems for tracking funder relationships, communications, and pipeline management. Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously. Experience collaborating across program, finance, and communications teams to develop funder-facing content. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Dedication to social justice and supporting CJA’s mission; commitment to building a culture of mutual accountability, liberation, and respect. Orientation towards learning and development; willingness to learn from mistakes, receive feedback, and give feedback to others. Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Experience Experience managing a foundation portfolio of $6M or more. Familiarity with foundation giving trends, RFP processes, and funder networks. Experience with funder engagement activities including newsletters, briefings, and conferences. Knowledge of coalition spaces and advocacy-aligned philanthropy. Experience with grantee portal submissions across multiple foundation platforms. Understanding of and commitment to racial, economic, and ecological justice; democratic governance; and systems change. Experience supervising staff in a union environment. Previous experience working in a remote environment, including experience with async-first communication. #J-18808-Ljbffr Crains Cleveland