Development Manager - Grants & Foundation Partnerships

About Western States Center

Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center (WSC), a 501(c)(3), and Western States Strategies (WSS), a 501(c)(4) affiliate, work nationwide to build a democracy where we all thrive in a just, caring, and connected society. Since 1987, we’ve played a catalytic role in advancing justice by convening, developing, organizing, and supporting the communities most affected by inequities. Our core strategies include cultivating leaders, resourcing organizers and movements, and sharing political education and analysis. We take regional action for national impact, equipping impactful leaders, pro-democracy institutions, and courageous coalitions with the tools needed to effectively counter bigoted social movements.

Position Overview

The Development Manager – Grants & Foundation Partnerships, builds and nurtures relationships with foundation partners who share our commitment to defending inclusive democracy. This role is a core storyteller and strategist, someone who can translate program impact and frontline learning into compelling funder engagement, proposals, reports, and narratives that convey urgency, laser focus, and expertise.

This is not an extractive fundraising role. We practice community-centric fundraising, emphasize shared purpose over transactions, and lead with clarity, humility, and respect for the expertise of our movement partners and pro-democracy organizing ecosystem.

Responsibilities Include:

Grant Writing & Narrative Development (50%)

• Lead writing and submission of letters of inquiry, proposals, and grant reports.
• Collaborate with program teams to surface stories of programmatic impact.
• Ensure narratives reflect Western States Center’s voice, expertise and strategic focus.

Funder Relationship Building & Stewardship (30%)

• In coordination with the Director of Development and Executive Director, support cultivation and stewardship of relationships with current and prospective foundation partners including production of quarterly virtual funder briefings.
• Represent Western States Center in funder communications with warmth, political clarity, and a sense of shared purpose.
• Prepare leadership and program staff for funder meetings and presentations (briefing notes, talking points, follow-ups).
• Research prospective new foundation partners and identify opportunities to elevate WSC’s team and impact to key funder networks.

Grants Management & Internal Coordination (20%)

• Maintain grants calendar, grants CRM, and internal workflows to ensure deadlines are met well in advance.
• Coordinate with both Operations and Program staff to align budgets, expenditures, and narrative reporting.
• Track gift agreements, reporting requirements, and funder expectations.
• In collaboration with the Development Manager – Community Giving and Data Systems, document engagements, commitments, and learnings.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in grant writing, which could include experience with institutional fundraising, advocacy, organizing, or movement infrastructure, or a closely related field.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills — able to convey complexity in clear and accessible language.
• Deep alignment with the work and vision of Western States Center.
• Highly organized, attention to detail, steady under shifting conditions, and able to hold multiple timelines with competing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with foundation landscapes in progressive, pro-democracy, social justice and/or cultural strategy fields.
• Comfort working in an environment where program strategy evolves in response to movement needs.
• Lived experience and/or deep networks in the Pacific Northwest or Mountain West as well as a commitment to champion place-based organizing and community resilience.

Location and Work Hours

The role will be remote with travel up to 2-4 times per year. We particularly encourage candidates based in OR, WA, ID, WY, and AZ, or with strong connections to the West to apply. Flexible schedule with shared core hours for collaboration, typically 9-5pm PT.

Compensation

This is a full-time exempt position. Benefits include health and dental insurance; paid sick leave; 20 days of paid vacation; 15 paid holidays; winter and summer office closures; work from home stipend and paid digital security subscription; annual professional development support; and a 3% employer contribution to retirement effective date of hire and up to a 2% match for a total of 5%.

Western States Center observes a four-day work week.

To maintain equity among staff, compensation is designated via an internal, non-negotiable salary matrix that considers years of experience in a comparable role. This position is eligible to earn between $71,000 - $80,000 per year.

Application

Please submit the following for consideration through this application form:

• Cover letter clearly outlining the specific skills and knowledge you bring to the role.
• Resume detailing relevant experience, work history, education, and accomplishments.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For priority consideration, please submit your application by February 9. 2025.

Western States Center strives to create an inclusive and equitable workplace, and we encourage people from marginalized communities to apply. Some candidates may see a long list of job requirements and feel discouraged because they don’t match every single bullet point – we suggest that you please apply anyway.

Benefits include health and dental insurance; paid sick leave; 20 days of paid vacation; 15 paid holidays; winter and summer office closures; work from home stipend and paid digital security subscription; annual professional development support; and a 3% employer contribution to retirement effective date of hire and up to a 2% match for a total of 5%.

Western States Center observes a four-day work week.

To maintain equity among staff, compensation is designated via an internal, non-negotiable salary matrix that considers years of experience in a comparable role. This position is eligible to earn between $71,000 - $80,000 per year.