Senior Manager of Foundation Relations/Grant Writer

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 of the Center’s program areas—reproductive rights and health, 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 to further our work to defend, protect, and secure gender justice for all in this country.

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, LGBTQIA+ 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 general operating, project/program, and campaign proposals, reports, and budgets across the Law Center’s established program areas, in collaboration with—and under the guidance of—the Senior Director of Foundation Engagement, additional foundation relations staff, and key program, campaigns and communications, and finance staff;
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Foundation Engagement, senior program and communications staff, and other development colleagues, pitch NWLC’s innovative and intersectional framework to connect with new funders and generate additional broad financial support;
• Serve as the foundation prospecting lead—identifying and qualifying prospects, developing research briefs and drafting communications, collaborating with senior leadership to identify existing relationships and outreach strategies, scheduling and staffing meetings, tracking actions and next steps, and highlighting emerging trends in philanthropy broadly;
• Track project/program activities and expenses in collaboration with the Senior 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, both virtually and in person as needed;
• 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;
• Under the direction of the Senior 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;
• 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;
• Deep experience with prospect research in the foundation sector, including familiarity with key research databases and other sources of information.
• 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, research and campaigns, and workplace justice), or other issues related to gender justice, racial justice, and/or LGBTQIA+ justice; and
• Demonstrated commitment to—and experience working on—gender and racial equity and centering communities of color and LGBTQIA+ communities in their approach to work.

Key Relations

The Senior Manager of Foundation Relations will report directly to the Senior 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.

At NWLC, our diversity is our strength, and the variety of lived experiences that connect our teammates to the mission of gender justice is our superpower. We know that members of marginalized groups tend to apply for positions only if they believe they are a 100% match for the role. If you are passionate about NWLC’s mission and think you can be successful in this role, 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.