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Senior Manager of Foundation Relations/Grant Writer

National Women's Law Center

National Women's Law Center

Marketing & Communications, Sales & Business Development
Washington, DC, USA
Posted on Oct 23, 2024

The Position

The National Women’s Law Center seeks a talented and experienced grant writer to join its Development team as a Senior Manager of Foundation Relations. The Senior Manager of Foundation Relations will support foundation fundraising efforts across all the Center’s program areas, with a particular focus on reproductive rights and health, in addition to income security and child care, and workplace justice and education. They will serve as a key member of a development team that is expanding networks of and deepening relationships with individual, corporate, law firm, and foundation donors for this leading gender justice organization.

This is a full-time exempt position of 37.5 hours per week.

The Organization

The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice — in the courts, in public policy, and in our society — working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls.

We use the law in all its forms to change culture and drive solutions to the gender inequity that shapes our society and to break down the barriers that harm all of us — especially women of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families.

For more than 50 years, we have been on the leading edge of every major legal and policy victory for women. Find out more at NWLC.org

Responsibilities

  • Develop detailed proposals and reports for the Law Center’s foundation funders across the Law Center’s program areas, in collaboration with the Director of Foundation Engagement, additional foundation relations staff, and key program area and campaigns and communications staff;
  • Develop reproductive rights and health issue-specific projects/programs and related budgets in collaboration with the Director of Foundation Engagement, additional foundation relations staff, the Vice President for Development, and key program, campaigns and communications, and finance staff;
  • In collaboration with the Director of Foundation Engagement, senior program and communications staff, and other development colleagues, develop innovative and intersectional frames for NWLC’s work to connect with new funders and generate additional broad financial support;
  • Track project/program activities and expenses in collaboration with the Director of Foundation Engagement, Vice President for Development, other members of the development team, and key program, communications/marketing, and finance staff;
  • Develop, maintain and track pertinent foundation outreach—including cultivations, solicitations, and other activities—in Raiser’s Edge and other tracking systems, in collaboration with other members of the development team;
  • Directly manage a portfolio of foundation funders, and serve as the foundation sub-team’s key liaison with the designated program area;
  • Engage in grant stewardship, cultivation, and regular communications with foundation staff;
  • Develop and manage periodic donor briefing calls, working collaboratively with program and development staff to devise content, draft invitation and build distribution list, create run of show, and curate comments/Q & A;
  • Actively engage in foundation prospect research and cultivation;
  • Under the direction of the Director of Foundation Engagement and in collaboration with the Vice President for Development and colleagues in development and finance, assist in developing and monitoring the Center’s annual and longer-term revenue plan and the development department’s annual budget as they relate to foundation support;
  • Represent the organization at donor facing activities, conferences, and other public events; and
  • Engage in other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

  • At least 5 years of progressively responsible foundation fundraising experience, including significant experience in writing foundation grant proposals and reports, preferably at a major national advocacy organization;
  • Strong familiarity with reproductive rights and health issues, particularly abortion and contraceptive access;
  • Superior verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to write in compelling language about the Law Center’s work and to prepare complex proposals, reports and related materials;
  • Demonstrated ability to influence and engage diverse audiences and to build long-term relationships, including experience leveraging senior staff to achieve fundraising success;
  • Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with careful attention to detail;
  • Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment;
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multi-faceted projects, meet deadlines, and perform well independently with grace under pressure in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment;
  • Sound judgment and ability to exercise discretion when dealing with confidential information regarding the Law Center’s business and sensitive donor information; high degree of self-motivation, personal discipline and integrity;
  • Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge (or similar database) and prospect research tools; and
  • Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule when required.

Additional preferred skills and knowledge:

  • Bachelor’s degree;
  • Proven track record in building and maintaining successful relationships with foundations;
  • Experience with gender justice issues on which the Law Center works (reproductive rights and health, income security, child care, education, and workplace justice), or other issues related to gender justice, racial justice, and/or LGBTQ+ justice, including reproductive rights, freedom, and justice; and
  • Demonstrated commitment to and experience working on gender and racial equity and centering communities of color in their approach to work.

Key Relations

The Senior Manager of Foundation Relations will report directly to the Director of Foundation Engagement. The Senior Manager will collaborate with the Vice President for Development and key program staff, as well as the President and CEO, Chief of Staff, Chief of External Affairs, Chief Operating Officer, and colleagues in Development, Finance, and Communications.

Compensation & Benefits

A salary within the range of $96,542-127,732 will be provided to the successful candidate with at least 5 years of experience, consistent with the National Women’s Law Center’s compensation framework. The successful candidate’s salary within this range will be determined by the number years of relevant experience they bring to the role.

The Center offers a comprehensive benefits package, and four weeks of annual vacation.

NWLC is a non-profit organization whose headquarters and staff are based in Washington, D.C. at our new office at 1350 Eye Street N.W. This role is based in D.C. and will be eligible for some telework while also being expected to work in person on a regular basis. The successful candidate will need to live in or relocate to the DMV (broadly defined as DC, Maryland, or Virginia).

The first 90 days of employment will be considered a probationary period.

Classification

NWLC recognizes a staff bargaining unit, NWLC United, affiliated with the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union/IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is included in NWLC’s bargaining unit. Specific employment terms are subject to collective bargaining.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume, writing sample, and a cover letter outlining how your professional background is a good fit for this position. Resumes should include exact start and end dates (month and year) of employment, as well as the average number of hours worked per week in each job. Applications accepted until position is filled.

Applicants will be contacted if selected for an interview. We kindly request that interested parties refrain from calling, emailing, or visiting NWLC’s offices to express interest or check on the status of their application.

The National Women’s Law Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people with disabilities; people of all genders, gender identities and sexual orientations; people of color; and veterans.

Research indicates members of marginalized groups tend to underestimate their qualifications and apply only if they are a 100% match. If you are passionate about NWLC’s mission and think you have what it takes to be successful in this role, even if you don’t check all the boxes, please apply. We’d appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.


Reasonable Accommodations

If you require reasonable accommodations during any part of the hiring process, please email NWLCHR@nwlc.org.