Foundation Relations Manager

Summer Search Boston is seeking a Foundation Relations Manager to drive our regional institutional fundraising. Joining a 4-member Boston development team, the Manager will advance a fundraising strategy to secure $750K - $1 million from a portfolio of foundation supporters (e.g. J.M.R. Barker Foundation, Balfour Foundation) and the development of new funders. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and mission-driven team and play an important role in growing Summer Search’s impact in the Boston community.

Specifically, the Foundation Relations Manager will:

• Manage and grow a portfolio of 30-40 foundation funders to achieve an annual fundraising goal of $750K - $1 million and contribute to the team’s overall success against a $3.5 million annual revenue target.
• Identify, research, qualify and cultivate new relationships with local private and family foundations. Identify and qualify new institutional prospects consistent with annual revenue goals.
• Establish and build relationships with foundation staff, partnering with Summer Search Boston’s Director of Development and Executive Director to deepen these relationships.
• Lead the creation of proposals, concept letters, grants, and reports.
• Collaborate with program staff to maintain a grants template and build compelling grant proposals and deliver timely funding reports.
• Partner with national development team and senior leadership to maximize opportunities and relationships for network-wide funding.

WHO YOU ARE

The Foundations Relations Manager calls for a nonprofit professional with a commitment to Summer Search’s mission, teamwork, and learning. Specifically, strong candidates will bring:

• EXPERIENCE: At least 4 years of professional work experience, either in the nonprofit development field with a history of securing 5 and 6-figure foundation grants or in a role that has resulted in a deep understanding of and ability to communicate Summer Search programming and impact.
• DATA MANAGEMENT: You are adept at the process of acquiring, validating, and managing accurate information within a shared system. You leverage databases to track donor data and organize information within the Development function.
• FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES: You approach fundraising through an analytical and data-driven lens and are hands-on in translating strategy into tangible activities and goals.
• RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT: You partner with prospects and donors by building lasting relationships to support the organizational mission and meet fundraising goals.
• ADAPTABILITY: You tackle challenges and unfamiliar scenarios head-on with a solutions-oriented, flexible, and curious approach. You are willing to try new things and actively seek to understand multiple perspectives.
• CRITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS: You have an understanding of the root causes of societal discrimination and injustices and are self-reflective about your own privilege and positional power. You apply critical thinking and take action toward liberatory and inclusive practices.

In addition, all Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.

LOCATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Work hours are Mon-Fri 9am-5pm with occasional weekend and evening special events. Work location is Summer Search Boston office in Jamaica Plain and we currently have a hybrid schedule in place. Staff can work from home 2 days a week/3 days in the office. Reliable transportation to travel to the office and local events is required.

This is an exempt position with an annual salary ranging from $77,808-$84,209. Summer Search is committed to transparent, equitable compensation practices. Salaries are benchmarked using current market data and salary bands are created to demonstrate the growth potential within the band. Typically, offers are made at the starting place of the salary band. The Hiring Manager partners with the Talent Team to ensure offers are appropriate, competitive and maintain internal equity.

Well-being, flexibility, and ongoing learning and development are pillars of our culture. We value our staff and are committed to creating an environment where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. Investments in our staff include:

• Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
• Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
• 401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
• Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure). Plus, Re-Fresh Friday’s - a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
• A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
• A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
• Individual, local, regional and national training
• A commitment to developing leaders from within the organization.
• An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
• Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with students, as well as how we work together as a team. We hope you will join us as we continue to build a justice-centered organization that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.