Institutional Giving Manager

Institutional Giving Manager

Part time, 25 hours per week, term-limited employment (W2), remote in CA, through Sept. 2027

Summary

The Institutional Giving Manager will be central to the success of the California Ocean Science Trust (OST) mission to bridge science and policy for a healthy California coast and ocean. This role is focused on prospecting: finding new foundation and corporate funders, building the grant pipeline, and collaborating with OST program staff to grow and amplify investments in California's ocean science priorities. The Institutional Giving Manager will bring in funding that builds our own capacity to deliver on our mission, and, as we grow as a funder in our own right, will bring in funding that grows the resources OST holds and stewards to invest externally in the broader ocean science community. This is not a classic grant-writer role: as we seek to grow public and private investments in ocean science, marine STEM, and workforce development, the Institutional Giving Manager will work in a collaborative setting with our organizational leadership to foster funder relationships, and represent OST as a peer to funders' own program staff.


The Institutional Giving Manager will manage the full cycle of OST's institutional grant-seeking activities, from inquiry through proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewals; forecast grant revenue; and work through proposal and award budgets collaboratively with the organization's finance and programmatic staff. They will build and manage our corporate sponsorship program, developing sponsorship packages, securing corporate partners for programs and events, and stewarding those relationships. This role is distinct from the broader private-sector role in rebuilding investment in ocean science; this role's corporate work is focused specifically on program and event sponsorship.

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, this is a highly collaborative and cross-functional role in the organization. We seek a colleague who can creatively bridge organizational and programmatic needs to align with proposal and sponsorship opportunities.


This is a part time role at 25 hours per week, with a schedule that can flex around funder deadlines, and Mondays (or first day of the week) "in office" is required. Currently the role is funded through September 2027 with the potential for extension.


About Ocean Science Trust

OST strengthens the bridge between scientific research and sound ocean management. Created by California state legislation, OST supports and brings world-class science and innovation together with state and federal policymakers to accelerate progress toward a healthy and resilient coast and ocean.

OST is evolving beyond an exclusive focus on grant- and contract-funded nonprofit science advising activities to also function as a financial trust, stewarding public and private resources, alongside the funding we raise to build our own capacity, to grow investment in ocean and coastal science. In 2026 OST launched a new fund, the SeaChange Scholar Fund, to invest in ocean science students-tomorrow's science leaders who will bring solutions to coast and ocean challenges.


Responsibilities

Grant Prospecting and Pipeline Building (40%)

• Research and identify new foundation and corporate funding prospects aligned with Ocean Science Trust's programs, using Kindsight, Candid, funder databases, and Ocean Science Trust's networks.
• Build and maintain a living grant pipeline: qualify prospects, track deadlines and likelihood, and keep a steady flow of new applications moving.
• Mentor OST program leads on how funders work: what program officers look for, how grant cycles run, and how to shape program work into fundable proposals, so grant knowledge lives across the organization rather than in one role.
• Build peer relationships with program officers at public foundations whose strategic goals align with ours on oceans and science, working alongside OST program leads so the whole team engages these funders as colleagues in a shared field, not only as applicants.
• Partner with program staff to surface fundable projects early and match them to the right prospects.

Grants Management (30%)

• Manage the complete grant process for a diverse group of institutional funders, from identification and proposal development through submission, fulfillment, reporting, and renewals, in partnership with program staff.
• Forecast grant revenue: project what is likely to come in, when, and at what confidence level, and keep leadership and finance staff updated as the picture changes.
• Work through proposal and award budgets with the finance team, from building budgets for submissions to tracking spending against restricted awards.
• Manage a portfolio of current institutional funders for general support and restricted support, ensuring timely submission of all materials needed for successful receipt of funding.
• Maintain awareness of and communicate all grant-related internal and external deadlines.
• Maintain all documents, data, and files related to grants in OST's CRM (Bloomerang) and shared systems.
• Collaborate with the finance team to execute award receipts and ensure compliance and adherence to best practices within grant management.
• Where appropriate, serve as the point of contact for currently active and new institutional funders and steward relationships with foundation staff via email, phone, online meetings, and the occasional in-person meeting, with relationships for peer funders and re-granting partners (e.g., major foundations acting as funder-peers) shared with OST leadership rather than held solely by this role; proactively support program leads in their engagement with funders.

Corporate Sponsorships (10%)

This work is early-stage and focused on program and event sponsorships; it is separate from any future program-side work OST may build around institutional partnerships or pooled, re-granted funds.

• Research and identify corporate prospects whose values and business interests align with OST's mission, using prospect research tools (Kindsight, Candid) and OST's networks.
• Develop tiered sponsorship packages with clear benefits and recognition levels for OST programs and events.
• Secure corporate sponsorships and corporate foundation grants for OST programs, including the SeaChange Scholar Fund, and for OST's presence at convenings and events.
• Manage sponsorship fulfillment from signed agreement through benefits delivery, recognition, and reporting, ensuring every sponsor commitment is met.
• Ensure all corporate partnerships are reviewed against OST's gift acceptance policy and protect OST's independence and scientific credibility.

Team Collaboration (20%)

• Work closely with OST leadership, program leads, and the Director of Philanthropy to align proposals and sponsorships with organizational and programmatic needs and capacities.
• In collaboration with leadership and program leads, work directly with partners on funding opportunities as needed.
• In partnership with the Director of Philanthropy, support other fundraising priorities as capacity allows.
• Work with finance to develop the annual institutional giving budget.

Qualifications

Knowledge & Experience

• 4-5 years experience prospecting and identifying potential sources of new corporate and foundation support.
• 4-5 years experience forecasting grant revenue and managing a pipeline with realistic likelihood and timing estimates.
• 4-5 years experience building proposals and award budgets in partnership with finance staff.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the role of science and science funding in government, and an understanding of how OST's independence shapes what we do and do not pursue.
• Track record of success in seeking, obtaining, and renewing multi-year five- and six-figure grants. Experience with science funding and/or marine STEM education funding is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience managing the full grant cycle for multiple institutional grantors.

Skills & Attributes

• Outstanding verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to understand needs, connect opportunities, and prioritize capacities.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including collaborating on proposal development.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, particularly the ability to shepherd a collaborative deliverable to meet a deadline and to work independently on its completion.
• Demonstrated knowledge of funder prospecting practices, grantmaking and reporting cycles, proposal writing, and administration.
• Understanding of detailed and multi-programmatic budgeting.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively; a team player willing to roll up their sleeves to get the job done.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Comfort working at the intersection of science and policy, and the ability to translate technical work into compelling funder language.
• Commitment to OST's mission.
• Refined political acumen and understanding of policy processes is a plus.

Platforms and Tools

OST works on the following platforms. Experience with these, or comparable tools, is preferred:

• Slack for team communication
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, Calendar) for documents, budgets, communication, and shared files
• Bloomerang for CRM, grant tracking, and funder records
• Kindsight for prospect research and wealth screening
• Candid (Foundation Directory) for foundation and funder research
• Monday for programmatic CRM and project management

Location and Travel

OST is headquartered in Sacramento, California but staff work remotely and are based throughout the state. Our team values the flexibility of remote work and is dedicated to effective remote team collaboration. Travel within California will be required, including occasional travel to Sacramento, CA.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a non-exempt part-time fixed-term appointment, funded through September 2027, with the possibility to extend. The pay range for this position is $43-$53/hour in consideration of expertise and experience. We offer a generous benefit plan which includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision insurance, and more. Benefits will be pro-rated based on FTE %. We work remotely, and have flexible, family-friendly schedules, and a monthly technology allowance.

Equity at Ocean Science Trust

Serving one of the most diverse states in the country, we see inclusion, belonging and access as central values to our organizational philosophy and imperative to our mission. We are committed to cultivating a work environment where staff from all backgrounds and identities feel a sense of belonging and can thrive.


To Apply

Click the apply button to submit your application materials which must include a resume and cover letter describing your specific interest and fit for the position. The position will be open until filled, with preferred start date by November 1, 2026. For first consideration please apply by Oct. 12, 2026.

You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and be a current resident of the State of California, or willing to relocate if hired. OST is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an equitable hiring process where every candidate is evaluated fairly, objectively, and without bias. Your privacy is incredibly important to us; all application materials and all interview discussions will be kept completely confidential. Due to our double-blind qualifications review process, our staff members are unable to communicate with job applicants outside of the established interview process. Thank you for your interest!