Senior Director, Foundation Relations

Senior Director, Foundation Relations

Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Exempt Position

• Our Bolder Advocacy program builds progressive power by providing nonprofit advocates with the training, technical assistance , and resources they need to comply with the federal and state laws associated with nonprofit advocacy. Bolder Advocacy is the nation’s leading resource for foundations and nonprofits who want to engage more actively and knowledgeably in the policymaking process.
• AFJ Law deepens our support of nonprofits’ advocacy, strengthen the progressive movement’s ability to advocate within the bounds of IRS restrictions on tax-exempt organizations, and ensure compliance to keep their organizations safe. AFJ Law goes beyond providing technical assistance to providing legal advice on nonprofit clients’ activities.
• Our Justice Program works to ensure that our state and federal courts protect our democracy and our core rights and values, preserve human rights, and provide access to justice for all. We research federal judicial nominees, educate the public and elected leaders about them, and advocate for demographically and professionally diverse nominees, who will protect our rights.
• Our Outreach & Membership team deepens and expands the engagement of AFJ’s core constituencies, including supporting our member organizations with Bolder Advocacy, judicial nominations, and capacity building resources to advance their missions. We also educate and mobilize members, partners, and advocates with the tools and AFJ resources they need to advocate for courts that protect the rights of all us and defend nonprofits’ role in protecting our democracy.

• Manage the foundation portfolio, with a focus on seeking and moving toward unrestricted and multi-year funding and on maintaining partnerships to secure renewed and expanded support.
• Develop and oversee systems to regularly identify prospects and approaches to secure new funding for AFJ/AFJ Action. Stay abreast of philanthropic trends and foundation giving.
• Project manage and guide AFJ/AFJ Action’s program leaders and staff who participate in foundation relations and proposal pitches.
• Manage the Senior Manager, Foundation Relations and assign and oversee a portfolio owned by this team member.
• Write and edit strategy memos, regular programmatic updates, and other donor communications – all strategically framed for each foundation’s specific interests.
• Oversee and edit full packages of grant proposals and reports, including budgets and financial narratives and other specific institutional information – fostering accurate, high-quality presentations.
• Serve as primary writer and producer for select proposal and report packages, and as needed.
• Lead the planning and execution of meetings with foundation leaders/staff, and donor advisors. This includes overseeing or conducting donor research and preparing written and in-person briefings for AFJ/AFJ Action’s program leaders.
• Advise and guide AFJ/AFJ Action’s leadership on all aspects of engagement with foundation staff.
• Represent AFJ/AFJ Action at meetings, both alone and alongside AFJ/AFJ Action’s leadership.
• Make funding asks – both in person and written. 
• Monitor performance toward meeting revenue projections, meeting fundraising goals, and developing and implementing work plans.
• Draft and prepare materials, including talking points, strategy, and relevant background to support AFJ leadership and the President in meetings, convenings and engagements with foundation partners and prospects.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience. Advanced degree or training in law, public policy, or nonprofit advocacy is a plus.
• Demonstrable track record (at least 10-15 years of experience) in foundation and institutional fundraising, other nonprofit development, and/or building similar partnerships or sponsorships; experience related to nonprofit advocacy or judicial nominations is a plus.
• Demonstrated political savvy and big-picture thinking, comfort in advancing new strategies and approaches to increase organizational revenue during a moment of growth and building for the organization’s exciting next chapter.
• Ability to understand and discuss AFJ/AFJ Action’s advocacy and nominations goals, the activities and strategies employed to reach them, and the political and societal landscape in which we work.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills, with talent at translating complex, detailed legal and policy work into clear and compelling language suitable for funder audiences.
• Appetite to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment, with corresponding abilities, i.e. strong skills juggling tight timelines and competing deadlines with longer-term tasks.
• A team player with highly mature interpersonal skills – including ability to respond productively to direction and feedback, and facility working with staff and leadership at all levels.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing supervisees while driving results.
• Generosity, flexibility, and kindness to nurture a highly collaborative environment.
• Outstanding attention to detail and accuracy – commitment to work product that is thorough, complete, and polished.
• Comfort with using foundation/grant submission technology platforms and portals, as well as EveryAction, Salesforce, and other essential office technology.
• Demonstrable commitment to AFJ/AFJ Action’s mission and goals.

• Year 1 (0-12 months): Eleven (11) days of vacation each year (3.66 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 17 days
• Year 2-4: Sixteen (16) days of vacation each year (5.33 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 24 days
• Year 4+: Twenty-One (21 days) of vacation each year (7.0 hours per pay period), with a maximum accrual cap of 32 days

• Contiguous U.S. ; Washington, DC area highly preferred but not required

• Remote

• Office

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer and communicate with others while doing so.
• On occasion, travel by car, train, and/or airplane may be required .

• T r avel to events, such as staff retreats and other work meetings, will be required approximately one to four times per year.

• Full-time
• Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Some occasional evening and weekend hours may be required .