Director of Corporate Fundraising and Partnerships

ABOUT FAST FORWARD

Tech is ubiquitous. Tech solutions for social problems are not. An emerging class of startups is building tech to solve these social problems. They are tech nonprofits. Fast Forward bridges the tech and nonprofit sectors to build capacity for tech nonprofits, so they can scale solutions to our world’s most urgent problems.

To date, Fast Forward’s portfolio of tech nonprofits have impacted 262M lives and raised $1 billion in follow-on funding. 85% of the portfolio have a founder who has personal experience with the problem, 62% have a founder who is a woman, and 75% have a founder who is a person of color.

As the first and only organization focused exclusively on scaling startups that combine the best tech with sustainable nonprofit business models, Fast Forward’s mission is to accelerate impact. Visit us: http://www.ffwd.org.

THE POSITION

Building on Fast Forward’s existing creative fundraising strategy, this role focuses on opening doors to new opportunities for both Fast Forward and tech nonprofits. This hands-on position offers a unique opportunity to execute Fast Forward’s fundraising strategy, particularly through partnerships with corporate partners.

The Director of Corporate Fundraising and Partnerships will collaborate closely with Fast Forward’s VP of Partnerships and a small, tight-knit team of passionate doers and problem solvers to drive meaningful impact.

This position is based in San Francisco, CA; it is a full-time, in-office role (no remote work).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising & Business Development

• Responsible for securing Forward's annual fundraising targets from corporate partners
• Generate and manage a pipeline of prospective funder prospects and build relationships with potential funding partners
• Pitch and close both new and returning Fast Forward partners
• Execute day-to-day fundraising efforts, including partnership proposals, grant applications, and CRM database maintenance

Partnership Management & Execution 

• Work closely with the VP of Partnerships and Fundraising Coordinator to effectively cultivate new partnerships
• Communicate and collaborate with the partner account management team to seamlessly transition prospects to partner status
• Stay top of mind with prospects by initiating regular touchpoints, including keeping them in the loop with relevant press mentions, impact updates, and Fast Forward product or program milestones
• Cultivate relationships with key contacts at each partner institution
• Initiate the annual renewals process and re-engage with current partners to continue and grow impactful partnerships

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for someone with these specific traits and experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, business development, or sales, and a track record of developing and maintaining strong relationships with a diverse set of partners. Experience managing corporate partnerships is a plus. 
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts or sales, including a proven track record of closing six-figure donations or partnerships 
• Exceptional customer service orientation: anticipate and respond promptly and professionally to requests and needs from all key stakeholders, setting clear expectations while taking other perspectives into account
• Genuine excitement and aptitude for building and maintaining relationships 
• Proven comfort working in a fast-paced startup work environment; must be flexible, adaptable, organized, and excel in working cross-functionally 
• Exemplary communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, including experience addressing different types of audiences
• Excellent project and process management skills and attention to detail
• A passion for championing nonprofit tech startups and a diverse array of social entrepreneurs, as well as a strong commitment to Fast Forward’s mission
• A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
• 401k retirement plan & employer matching
• Office is located in a beautiful national park - The Presidio - with free transit to/from downtown San Francisco!
• Every other Friday is a half day
• Platinum medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Most importantly, input on the office snack order 

COMPENSATION

• Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 - negotiable depending on experience. 

Note: In accordance with federal, state, and local safety guidelines, this role is expected to be performed in-person, in San Francisco.

Fast Forward is a social justice organization founded on the idea that those with proximity to the problem should have proximity to the power to fix them. Our true north is empowering tech nonprofit leaders with the tools, community, and capital they need to scale solutions for underserved groups, and we know that a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion is inextricable from that pursuit. Read our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Guidelines to learn how we approach DEI across our investments, community, and workplace.

Fast Forward is an equal opportunity employer.