Foundation Relations Officer

About TFAS

The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is an educational nonprofit that is changing the world by developing leaders for a free society. Our transformational programs teach the principles of limited government, free-market economics and honorable leadership to students and young professionals in America and around the world.

By offering a portfolio of more than 20 different academic programs, fellowships and seminars, the TFAS Journey helps cultivate future leaders from high school all the way through their university studies and professional careers.

Today, there are more than 43,000 TFAS alumni making a difference in their communities and throughout the world by upholding the values essential to the preservation and success of a free society.

Position Overview

In order to advance the mission of The Fund for American Studies, the development office exists to build and cultivate strong relationships with supporters by partnering with them to achieve their philanthropic interests with the goal of increasing support for TFAS’s work to educate students in free-market economics, the ideals of liberty and honorable leadership.

The Foundation Relations Officer is responsible for managing the full life cycle of institutional foundation relationships in order to secure funding for TFAS. The Officer is responsible for writing and editing compelling and timely grant proposals, applications and supporting documents, identifying and soliciting new foundation partners, and supporting the development office through written materials as needed. The ideal Officer will be innovative and entrepreneurial. He/she will constantly seek ways to do things better and create exceptional experiences for TFAS donors in order to increase their connection to, and investment in, our work.

This role could be a good fit for someone with 2 years of grant writing/foundation relations experience, but also for someone 5+ years into their career who is eager to take on a more significant role on a high-impact team. The Foundation Relations Officer can be based in TFAS’s Washington, D.C., office or a virtual office elsewhere.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all aspects of the life cycle to maintain and cultivate ongoing relationships with institutional foundations
• Write and edit compelling, high quality grant proposals, applications and supporting documents
• Track grant prospects and submissions, prepare progress reports and other reports as required by granting agencies
• Create, update and maintain accurate grant database/calendar to track grant-writing activities, reporting, renewal requests and deadlines
• Ensure timely submission of all proposals and reports
• Identify and solicit new foundation partners
• Work with program and finance staff to gather pertinent information and metrics as needed for grant writing and reporting
• As appropriate, visit foundation partners with and without senior staff to cultivate the relationship
• Support overall development office efforts through written materials as needed
• Stay informed of trends in foundation funding that may affect TFAS programs

Requirements

• Passion for and alignment with the mission of The Fund for American Studies
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in grant writing and/or foundation relations
• Knowledge of free-market, conservative and libertarian grant-making organizations helpful
• Demonstrated success in maintaining grant writing and reporting schedules ensuring deadlines are not missed
• Ability to effectively work under pressure, use independent judgment and produce quality work product within tight time constraints
• An obsessive desire to win; you are frustrated with complacency
• Ability to anticipate challenges, take initiative and provide solutions to achieve department and organization objectives
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred
• Some travel, but less than 15% expected
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite; familiarity with Salesforce or comparable CRM software strongly preferred

To Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position/the mission of TFAS and your salary requirements
• Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link:
https://talentmarket.org/candidates/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Network Engagement Strategist at Talent Market, who is assisting with the search: stephanie@talentmarket.org.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.