Senior Foundations Manager

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, London, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org.

NRDC is seeking a Senior Foundations Manager to work with our Development team in one of our U.S. based offices.

Position Summary

The Senior Foundations Manager will be responsible for managing a portfolio of U.S.-based foundations, working strategically and collaboratively to raise six-, seven- and eight-figure grants towards institutional fundraising goals. This role works closely with foundation staff and leadership, NRDC program staff and experts, Development and Executive leadership, grant writers, and others to develop and execute strategies to maximize funding opportunities. This portfolio manager role is a key member of the Institutional Philanthropy team within NRDC’s Development Department. 

The ideal candidate will have significant experience working in a high-volume, fast-paced foundation fundraising operation, the ability to craft creative engagement strategies and compelling donor-facing materials, and a commitment to NRDC’s environment/climate mission. 

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accomodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Manage relationships with a portfolio of approximately 50 foundation donors and prospects to secure revenue including: developing engagement strategies, managing proposal and reporting processes, and providing updates, briefings and other engagement opportunities
• In collaboration with development research staff and others, identify and cultivate foundation prospects for specific programs and NRDC overall
• Working closely with program staff, writers, finance and grants management staff, oversee preparation and delivery of proposals, concepts, reports and other materials to foundations
• Orchestrate and coordinate interactions with foundations across the organization, serving as a key partner to leadership and staff
• Stay current on foundation trends, news, and priorities and incorporate into fundraising plans 
• Maintain up-to-date records and follow organizational and departmental processes, including moves management systems
• Collaborate with all Development stakeholders including writers, grant managers, researchers, principal and major gifts, donor systems, and donor relations teams
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting all deadlines

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 4-7 years’ experience in raising funds from foundations
• Experience with Salesforce a plus 
• Demonstrated experience closing six- and seven figure gifts

Skills, Abilities, Competencies

• Exceptional analytical skills and ability to develop creative engagement strategies in collaboration with program staff and Development and Executive leadership
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and ability to maintain productive external and internal relationships
• Superior writing skills and demonstrated ability to develop proposals, reports and other donor-facing materials, including budgets and financial reports
• Strong organizational skills; ability to prioritize, delegate, and simultaneously oversee multiple streams of work to meet overlapping deadlines
• Detail-oriented with high standards of excellence
• Knowledge of environmental issues and environmental foundations preferred
• Ability to travel domestically (NRDC U.S. based offices, foundation meetings, approx. 10% annually)
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $100,000 to $110,000.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit  and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at View phone number on click.appcast.io. 

For more about NRDC, visit