Senior Foundation Relations Manager and Development Writer

Company Description

Established in 1970, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (Reporters Committee) provides pro bono legal representation, amicus curiae support, and other legal resources to protect First Amendment freedoms and the newsgathering rights of journalists. Reporters Committee serves news organizations, reporters, documentary filmmakers, media lawyers, and many more who use its online resources.

Job Description

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press seeks a Senior Foundation Relations Manager and Development Writer to support the fundraising and donor relations needs of a growing and vibrant nonprofit organization. The position will report to the Vice President of Development and support the organization’s fundraising and donor relations needs.

The Reporters Committee has significantly expanded in the past five years and maintains a growing portfolio of program-specific and general support funding relationships in the institutional philanthropy field. As the organization’s foundation relations needs grow, the Senior Foundation Relations Manager-Development Writer will engage with foundation staff, track funder deadlines and tasks, draft high-quality grant proposals and reports, and use data systems and research skills to identify potential new funding sources.

This position is well suited for a highly organized person with exceptionally strong writing and editing skills, and the ability to effectively communicate the Reporters Committee’s mission and vision to foundations, as well as corporations, law firms, and high-net-worth individuals.

Primary Responsibilities

• Draft grant proposals and reports under supervision of the Vice President of Development
• Assemble supporting materials for proposals and reports, such as budget, organizational, and governance documents
• Maintain approved text for program content to include in donor-focused proposals and appeals
• Prospect potential funding support including general support, national litigation and policy work, as well as program and state-specific efforts (using foundation data tools (i.e., Foundation Center Directory, etc.))
• Draft donor-focused written communications for review and revisions by Vice President and President, including but not limited to:
  • email appeal sequences and campaigns;
  • annual report and other donor-focused print materials;
  • fundraising blurbs in newsletters and other content;
  • end of year (and other) donor-focused print mailings
• Engage with foundation staff and leadership to explore opportunities in partnership with VP, take notes, record action items
• Track deadlines for grants and deliverables in Salesforce and Finance grant tracking spreadsheet (with deliverables, financial documentation, etc.)
• Collaborate with relevant staff to set goals and targets for the annual grants portfolio.
• Other Development Support Duties as Assigned
  • Donor research to support growth of individual giving initiatives
  • Donor engagement and cultivation activities, including event support

The Senior Foundation Relations Manager and Development Writer is supervised by the VP of Development.

Qualifications

• Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to articulate the mission and programs of the Reporters Committee to funding partners
• Familiarity with the institutional funding cycle, from prospecting through cultivation, solicitation, grant management, and stewardship
• Familiarity with core foundation data tools (i.e., Foundation Center Directory, etc.)
• A high level of computer literacy including Microsoft Office and Google Suite. Proficiency with Salesforce (specifically the Nonprofit Success Pack) strongly preferred, other development CRMs and foundation research tools valued
• Strong organizational and data skills to track relationships and deadlines
• Knowledge of nonprofit and philanthropy trends strongly preferred, especially in issue areas such as media and journalism, law, democracy, civil society
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 7 years of related work experience

Location - Position hybrid (2-3 days in office per week) in the Washington, DC metro area

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range, based on experience, is $90,800 - $97,200 for a candidate based in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Our generous benefit package should also be considered. For all regular full-time positions, the Reporters Committee offers:

• A competitive base salary with 3 weeks paid time off, 4 annual floating days, and all Federal holidays;
• A retirement savings plan, including a 5% employer contribution after 3 months of service;
• Comprehensive employer paid insurance coverage, including medical, dental, vision, life and accidental death, and disability;
• Ability to use pre-tax dollars for dependent care and commuting expenses.