Director of Foundations and Advancement Operations

Director of Foundations and Advancement Operations

Full-Time (40 hours per week, full benefits)

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer

Salary Grade: Director

Salary Range: $95,000-$110,000

Location: Washington, DC (preferred)

**PLEASE APPLY HERE**

Position:

The Director of Foundations and Advancement Operations is responsible for leading Issue One’s foundation fundraising strategy while also overseeing core administrative functions that support the Advancement Department. This role manages our growing portfolio of foundation relationships and supervises operational processes that ensure the department runs efficiently and effectively. The Director serves as the lead writer for foundation fundraising and supervises the Stewardship Associate. This is an ideal position for a seasoned fundraising professional who is also a systems thinker and enjoys building strong internal processes.

Responsibilities:

Foundation Fundraising (75%)

• Manage and grow existing foundation relationships, including proposal and report writing, grants management, and relationship stewardship.
• Identify and cultivate new foundation prospects to diversify and expand funding streams.
• Serve as the primary writer for foundation proposals, reports, and tailored donor communications.
• Draft weekly major donor updates and biannual reports.
• Collaborate with program and finance staff to ensure alignment in budgeting and reporting.

Departmental Operations and Administration (20%)

• Oversee administrative functions of the Advancement team, including project management, documentation, and internal coordination.
• Supervise the Stewardship Associate, providing coaching and support on donor recognition, data management, and event logistics.
• Manage internal timelines and workflows for fundraising deliverables and campaigns.
• Serve as liaison to finance and operations staff for budget planning, grant tracking, and compliance.

Organizational Engagement (5%)

• Contribute to cross-departmental efforts such as board meeting preparation, year-end mailings, and occasional donor events.
• Provide minimal travel support to the CEO and CAO for external foundation meetings.

Job-Related Experience

• Minimum five years of experience in development, foundation relations, or philanthropy.
• Proven record of securing and stewarding grants, including writing successful proposals and reports.
• Experience managing or supporting administrative systems or team operations.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.

Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional written communication: Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and proofreading across various formats, with an ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, including funders, donors, and partners.
• Strong organizational and project management skills: Adept at juggling multiple priorities and timelines with precision and professionalism. You know how to keep a team on track and a calendar running smoothly.
• Collaborative mindset: A team player who thrives in cross-functional environments, with the interpersonal savvy to build strong working relationships across departments.
• Financial fluency: Comfortable navigating financial reporting, with the ability to translate complex program goals into clear, fundable language.
• Deadline-driven and detail-oriented: Brings a calm, solutions-focused approach to high-stakes deadlines while consistently delivering polished, high-quality work.
• Mission-aligned: Passion for democracy reform, civic engagement, or values-driven philanthropy is a strong plus, especially if you're energized by helping protect and strengthen democratic institutions.

Location

This role is a full-time, fully benefited position requiring 40 hours per week. Preferably, the candidate will reside in the Washington, DC area and participate in IO’s hybrid work environment. This arrangement allows staff to come to the office two days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and work the other three days remotely. While the opportunity to work outside of the DC area is possible, it would require additional conversations between the hiring manager and applicant before an employment offer is made.

Benefits

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance.

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan, with Issue One paying 100% of the premium. The organization also covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff.
• Staff receive over 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures.
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for internet and commuting and promotes a hybrid work environment that allows for working from home but establishes regular in-person office opportunities twice a week.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. In addition, all staff are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization hosts several opportunities for fun and fellowship.

Physical Demands

• Most work is done in an office-like environment, completing projects at a desk for extended periods and working with a computer.
• The employee may sometimes have to lift, push, and/or carry items above ten (10) pounds.
• The Director may need to move and/or stand for extended periods, especially when on Capitol Hill.
• Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the job.

Decision Making

Initially, CAO will review and approve grant applications, specifically proposals and reports, until the Director has established his/her/their mastery of our messaging and program descriptions.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

• May 12-26: The position is posted, and resumes are collected
• May 27-29: Resumes are screened and top candidates are identified for interviews.
• June 2-4: First-round panel interviews take place.
• June 9-12: Second-round panel interviews with finalists take place.
• June 16: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials).
• July 1: New candidate begins (flexible start date)

Special Note: While our organizations will do their best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organizations will do their best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after May 26, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do. We celebrate each individual's unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to complete our self-identification questionnaire voluntarily. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring everyone has equal success opportunities.

Due to the volume of applications, we will, unfortunately, be unable to acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please.

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.