Manager, Foundation Relations

Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!

The Manager, Foundation Relations will serve as a key frontline fundraiser on Start Early’s mission-driven development team. The Manager will have significant relationship-building, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship responsibilities tied to meeting fundraising goals made up of renewals and new partnerships across a portfolio of foundation and family foundation donors. We are looking for two Foundation Relation Managers and are open to remote candidates outside of the Chicago area for one of them.

Reporting to the Director, Foundation Relations, you will:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50 current funders and prospects through the donor management cycle, including stewarding and renewing current funding, identifying and qualifying new prospects, initiating outreach, leading discovery calls for new donors, and positioning solicitations.
• Understand funder priorities and develop strategic partnerships with a portfolio of foundations. Develop background research and meeting prep sheets and prepare other fundraising materials. Proactively develop and execute funder stewardship/engagement plans and other key touchpoints to strengthen funder relationships for the assigned portfolio and to position Start Early for renewed and increased giving with existing funders.
• Oversee the development and submission of grant proposals and reports (and attachments/supporting materials) to foundations for Start Early programs and priorities, and track grant deliverables using Start Early’s private grants process in partnership with finance and program teams.
• Support leadership in developing external framing and positioning of Start Early’s overall work for a foundation audience. Use that framing to share Start Early’s story of impact.
• Proactively manage priorities and workflows to meet deadlines. Bring a solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving. Keep accurate and complete records in Salesforce.
• Build effective internal relationships based on clear communication to support the stewardship of complex funder relationships. Collaborate with Finance and Program staff to develop and manage budgets, expenditure reports, and accompanying financial narratives needed for grant proposals and reports. Effectively engage executive and programmatic leadership in the cultivation and stewardship processes as needed.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Social Science, Business Administration or a related field.
• At least three years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising, which should include prior experience successfully managing foundation donors through the full development cycle.
• Advanced grant writing and editing skills with exceptional attention to detail, and an ability to synthesize complex outcomes and outputs related to large systemic issues.
• Advanced project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple large-scale projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and maintain strong relationships within a highly collaborative work environment.
• Basic knowledge of early childhood development and education, with the desire and ability to learn about issues relevant to infants, children, and families.
• Interest in public policy and supporting policy teams working at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Knowledge of local and national institutional donors.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office products, fundraising databases (Salesforce preferred), and the ability to learn new technology and software programs as needed.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• A passion for Start Early’s mission.
  
  

We recognize that few candidates might meet every piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

Base Annual Salary: $68,000-$78,000

We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.