Director of Grants and Fundraising

Make a Lasting Impact on Baltimore’s Waterfront

The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore (WPB) is dedicated to creating and sustaining a cleaner, greener, more vibrant waterfront for everyone. We bring the harbor to life through innovative placemaking, arts, cultural and family-centric programs, and environmental leadership, that connect residents and visitors to one of the city’s greatest treasures.

We are seeking a Director of Grants and Fundraising—a detail-driven, relationship-oriented professional who will strengthen the systems supporting our fundraising and grant programs. This role is ideal for someone who loves building structure, collaborating across teams, and ensuring that every funding partnership is managed with care, precision, and purpose.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be the central hub for grants and sponsor coordination at Waterfront Partnership — guiding the process from idea to impact.

• Lead the organization’s grants and donor strategy, ensuring all submissions, renewals, and reports are accurate, consistent, and on time.
• Maintain a robust existing portfolio of philanthropic, corporate, government, individual private donors, and relationships.
• Create customized sponsorship packages that offer brand visibility, employee engagement, and community impact.
• Partner with leadership and program staff to identify and align funding opportunities with WPB’s mission, programs, and long-term goals.
• Build systems that make fundraising and compliance easier, smarter, and more transparent.
• Oversee grant research, proposal writing, budgeting, and reporting across departments.
• Manage donor communications and stewardship, including thank-yous, updates, and recognition opportunities.
• Collaborate with our program staff to celebrate donors and tell the story of impact in meaningful ways.
• Provide clear, organized reporting to leadership to support data-driven decision-making.

Who You Are

• A steady, organized professional who thrives on follow-through and partnership.
• Experienced in grants, development operations, or nonprofit fundraising (5–7 years preferred), with knowledge of Baltimore’s philanthropic and civic landscape.
• A strong writer who can translate program goals into compelling proposals and clear reports.
• Collaborative — you enjoy working with diverse teams (finance, programs, communications) to reach shared goals.
• Tech-savvy and comfortable managing CRM and donor-tracking tools.
• Mission-driven, with a commitment to the betterment of Baltimore’s communities and environment.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field.
• Strong communication, organization, and time-management skills.
• Experience directing all aspects of a donor relationship program – cultivation, stewardship, events, and gift management.
• Familiarity with nonprofit financials and compliance standards.
• A creative eye for improving systems and finding smarter ways to work.

Why Join the Waterfront Partnership

At WPB, you’ll join a passionate, collaborative team working to make Baltimore’s harbor a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place. Your work will directly support arts & cultural initiatives and events, neighborhood improvement, parks and open space preservation and management, and environmental initiatives like Healthy Harbor and Mr. Trash Wheel, which make the waterfront a welcoming community destination year-round.

We offer a competitive salary ($85,000–$100,000 DOE), generous benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-term Disability Coverage, paid sick and vacation leave, a competitive 401 (k), and the opportunity to grow within a respected nonprofit committed to community vitality, environmental stewardship, and innovation.

This is an in-person position located in Baltimore, MD. No remote applicants will be considered.

We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-term Disability Coverage, paid sick and vacation leave, a competitive 401 (k), and the opportunity to grow within a respected nonprofit committed to community vitality, environmental stewardship, and innovation.

This is an in-person position located in Baltimore, MD. No remote applicants will be considered.