Director, Foundation Relations

About Americans United

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is a nonpartisan educational and advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion, including the right to believe or not believe, for all of us. Founded in 1947, Americans United is a diverse and dynamic organization composed of people from all walks of life: lawyers and lobbyists, students and activists, religious leaders and impassioned Americans. AU includes people of faith and people who don’t profess any faith. It is a community that welcomes people of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and abilities. Because we work on a wide variety of issues with many different communities, we value what diversity and diverse perspectives bring to our work.

Position Summary

The Director, Foundation Relations manages the organization’s foundation portfolio, writes and manages grant proposals, oversees foundation reporting and outreach, and manages and supports the Summit for Religious Freedom corporate sponsorship solicitation process.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The scope of work and responsibilities encompass the following areas of practice:

• Prospect Research and Identification: Identify potential institutional funders who are aligned with Americans United’s mission, develop and manage the research and identification of prospective private and corporate foundations in collaboration with the Prospect Research Manager.
• Manage Relationships Within Existing and Active Portfolio: Manage and build upon existing relationships through cultivation, stewardship, and outreach. Ensure timely and accurate submissions, on-site visits, briefings, reporting, and management of impact reports' annual requirements dictated by the issuing institution.
• Grant Writing and Submission: Develop compelling grant proposals, LOIs, and reports that address the individual foundations' requirements. Ensure smooth communication and procedures with all departments so that all necessary materials for submission are reviewed and ready before deadlines.
• Reporting: Prepare reports for internal communications about funding opportunities, and revenue updates such as reports for the Board of Trustees, President & CEO, and colleagues in other departments. Prepare external reports for business partners, consultants, strategic planning, etc.
• Sponsorship Management: Lead the solicitation and tracking of corporate, foundation, and vendor outreach to secure sponsorships for AU’s annual Summit for Religious Freedom, including organizing outreach from internal stakeholders.
• Revenue Management: Develop and implement an annual revenue strategy that includes monthly financial projections and prospect planning and clearly demonstrates a path towards achieving fundraising goals.
• Industry Trends: Be familiar with and follow industry trends and fluently understand the institutional funding landscape.
• Collaborative Work: Work in an integrated and collaborative manner with fellow members of the Development Department and colleagues from other departments to facilitate the timely completion of grant proposals and all other foundation work.

Skills and Experience

• Research shows candidates from marginalized groups are less likely to apply for positions when they don't meet 100% of listed requirements; please consider applying even if you don’t match 100% of these criteria.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in foundation grant writing, research, and external relationship management required; experience with an advocacy organization preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, organizational skills, and presentation skills.
• Proven track-record of developing winning proposals and compelling reports to implement and grow institutional fundraising.
• Strong research skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Able to work closely and collaboratively with stakeholders across the organization.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $112,200-$132,600. The successful candidate’s placement within that range will be consistent with AU’s compensation framework, which is based on years of related experience. Employees who reside in higher-cost areas, including the Washington, DC metro area, receive a locality pay adjustment. For more information on AU’s compensation framework, see here.

Americans United offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes employer-paid premiums for health care, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, a 401(k) with match, and a commuter subsidy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AU is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. If you need accommodation for a disability to apply for this position, please let us know by emailing hr@au.org.

Application Information

We will only be accepting applications from candidates in the following states: CA, CO, DC, FL, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MT, NY, PA, TN, VA, WA, WI, and WY.