Director of Foundation Relations

ORGANIZATION:

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined.

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50+ full-time employees and 675+ scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Foundation Relations is a newly established leadership role on the Advancement team, responsible for securing significant gifts from a diverse range of foundations. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, this position is responsible for driving foundation revenue across the organization.

Working in partnership with the part-time Grants Manager, the Director will lead efforts to cultivate, secure, and steward major foundation grants. The ideal candidate is an exceptional writer, highly detail-oriented and a seasoned relationship manager with a proven track record securing major foundation grants and fostering long-term partnerships.

Foundation giving has grown tremendously at Rainier Scholars over the past several years with a current revenue goal of $2.5m. With a solid portfolio of committed foundations and a robust pipeline of prospects, this role offers an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, mission-focused grants professional to make a meaningful impact.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Grant Writing & Funder Research (30%)

• Lead the timely development, writing, and submission of compelling letters of inquiry, grant applications, proposals and reports.
• Collaborate thoughtfully and effectively with program and finance teams to develop proposals and budgets that align with funder requirements.
• In partnership with the Grants Manager, identify and research prospective foundation and corporate grant opportunities that align with Rainier Scholars’ mission and programs.

Funder Relationship Management (25%)

• Cultivate and manage an existing portfolio of 50+ foundation funders and serve as the primary partner to the Chief Advancement Officer and executive team in stewarding a strong foundation base.
• Develop and implement strategic communication plans to ensure timely engagement, and personalized updates for funders.
• Build meaningful relationships with funders and prepare compelling proposals that align with funder priorities and drive investment in Rainier Scholars.

Strategic Direction & Management (25%)

• Develop a strategic vision to expand foundation support and achieve ambitious revenue goals in alignment with Rainier Scholars’ organizational strategy.
• Meet or exceed annual revenue and key activity metric goals with a focus on quarterly progress tracking.
• Lead the Foundation Relations program and all grant-related functions, ensuring grant-related activities align with revenue goals and organizational objectives.

Grants Administration (10%)

• Establish and maintain a grants management system to track deadlines, ensure compliance, and maximize the use of the donor database.
• Develop and maintain best-in-class grant resources and procedures, setting a standard for successful submissions and funder relationships.
• Work closely with the Grants Manager and Finance team to ensure reporting compliance with reporting requirements, proper tracking of restricted and multi-year grants and appropriate fund allocation.

Staff Supervision (10%)

• Directly supervise the part-time Grants Manager, ensuring their professional growth and effectiveness
• Conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress, provide feedback, and offer guidance and support where needed.
• Ensure staff have the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to succeed in their roles.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 8+ years of relevant development experience (at least 6 years of experience in foundation relations), with a strong background in relationship management and portfolio oversight across a range of foundations.
• A proven record of successful grant writing and grants management, securing significant foundation funding.
• Experience building and sustaining trusted relationships with major foundations and corporations.
• Deep understanding of Rainier Scholars mission and programs, with the ability to effectively communicate their impact to funders.
• Skilled in conceptualizing and articulating funding needs in a compelling way to prospects, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Outstanding writing, editing, and technical financials skills, ensuring clarity and precision in grant proposals and reports.
• Proficiency in creating project budgets and tracking outcomes and financial progress throughout the grant cycle.
• Experience supporting organizational leadership in donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Keen eye for detail to ensure excellence and accuracy of grant applications, reports, and other funder communications.
• Ability to engage and collaborate effectively in a variety of settings, including networking with and working with individuals in nonprofit circles, philanthropy, and business settings.
• Capable of working independently when needed while also excelling in a collaborative team environment to produce high-quality work.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS, & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Compensation for this role is $120K - $130k annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. Rainier Scholars offers employer-paid medical and dental benefits, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, all-staff holiday closure, personal days, sick leave, and holiday pay.

Rainier Scholars is a workplace committed to wellness and sustainability. This is a flexible, hybrid full-time role based out of our Seattle office, with 1-2 days/week working in-person. This role may require some work in the evenings and weekends. This schedule is subject to change as needs arise.

Our work is rooted in ensuring that people from marginalized communities have the opportunity to thrive in education and careers that they are passionate about. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for our scholars, families, and staff. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage people of color, first-generation college graduates, and people from working-class backgrounds to apply.