Institutional Partnerships Officer

A Cover Letter is required for consideration.

Overall Function

The Institutional Partnerships Officer will prospect and cultivate relationships with foundation donors who have not yet supported EDF, with a primary focus on securing five- to seven-figure gifts. This role is a vital part of the Institutional Partnerships (IP) team, within EDF’s Development Department, and will also offer strategic support to EDF’s management of its highest-value foundation relationships (seven- to eight-figure level). The ideal candidate is a development professional, driven to make a substantial impact within EDF’s ambitious and results-focused Development program. The Institutional Partnerships Officer reports to the Senior Director of Institutional Partnerships.

Location

Hybrid, Washington, D.C.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiate and grow relationships with prospective foundation donors, fostering new avenues of support for EDF’s mission. Responsibilities include:
  • Developing and executing donor cultivation plans to inspire and engage foundations in alignment with EDF’s strategic priorities.
  • Preparing compelling proposals, reports, and donor-facing materials in collaboration with program staff, grant writers, and development colleagues.
  • Providing program and executive staff with strategic talking points and briefing materials for donor interactions.
  • Attending meetings with foundation representatives to develop and deepen relationships.
  • Contributing accurate financial forecasts and donor records in Salesforce, collaborating with research, donor engagement, and communications teams as appropriate.
• Build and maintain a thorough understanding of EDF’s diverse environmental programs to effectively communicate their impact and potential to donors.
• Work closely with Development team colleagues, program staff, finance, and executive leadership to ensure cohesive and aligned fundraising strategies.
• Utilize donor management software to monitor engagement metrics, prioritize outreach activities, and analyze portfolio performance.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values
• Actively participate in achieving assigned fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship goals.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least six years’ of demonstrated success and progressive responsibility in nonprofit fundraising, preferably with foundation donors. A Master’s degree or equivalent may substitute for up to two years of experience.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• The highest level of personal and professional integrity, discretion, and quality standards; poise and comfort with donor interactions.
• A high degree of proficiency working in a fast-paced, flexible, goal-oriented, and entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent planning, organization, time management, and analytical skills; experience working with a team to successfully manage multiple projects with competing timelines.
• Capacity to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people; adept at building relationships.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor tracking software (preferably Salesforce).
• Experience working in a non-profit institution of comparable complexity and scale, including the ability to work effectively with geographically dispersed colleagues, is preferred.
• Commitment to the mission of the Environmental Defense Fund.