Senior Director of Foundation Relations

Jun 30

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Washington, DC

Anticipated Start Date: September 22, 2026

Description

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) seeks a highly experienced and strategic Senior Director of Foundation Relations to lead and grow our foundation fundraising efforts. This position will be a member of the senior leadership on the Development Team and will collaborate to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to deepen existing foundation relationships and secure new foundation grants and partnerships. This position will supervise a team of four fundraising professionals.

The Senior Director of Foundation Relations will report to the Deputy Chief Development Officer and be a valued member of senior leadership on the Development Team. They will collaborate as a member of the Development leadership team in articulating and implementing the vision and strategy for fundraising at CBPP. The Senior Director of Foundation Relations will leverage their successful and deep institutional giving expertise to ensure that the Development Team is collaboratively prospecting for, developing, and stewarding funders and donors.

The Senior Director of Foundation Relations will be a strategist and connector — able to translate organizational priorities into compelling funding opportunities and build enduring partnerships that advance CBPP's mission. They will bring deep institutional fundraising expertise, exceptional judgment, and a collaborative approach to working across programmatic, financial, and development functions. They will understand how strong foundation relationships are built through thoughtful engagement, clear communication, rigorous stewardship, and a deep understanding of funder interests and philanthropic trends.

They will strengthen CBPP's foundation partnerships, expand opportunities for investment, and ensure the organization is positioned for sustained growth and impact.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for foundation fundraising, with a particular focus on cultivating foundation donors, aligning with CBPP’s overall mission and programmatic goals and in collaboration with the Development leadership team.
Participate in high-level strategic and work planning sessions with CBPP programmatic leaders to identify new funding opportunities and align foundation relations efforts with the organization's strategic goals.
Collaborate with the Director of Cultivation and Stewardship on conducting prospect research for new foundation funders, developing creative outreach strategies, and articulating funder strategy for executive-level briefings for CBPP leadership meetings with funders.
Oversee the proposal development process, including writing and editing, in partnership with development managers, the Senior Content Strategist, Development, and CBPP program leadership.
Oversee the grant reporting process, ensuring timely and accurate submissions by collaborating with development managers and programmatic and operations teams to gather information on program activities, outcomes, and impact.
Manage the calendar of grant deliverables, and keep all members of the Development Team, CBPP leadership, and other stakeholders aware of upcoming due dates and ensure timely submission.
Serve as the primary Development Team point of contact for foundation officers, leading cultivation and stewardship efforts and managing all professional communications, including negotiation of terms of complex grant agreements, ensuring they align with CBPP’s policies and priorities.
Ensure accurate tracking and allocation of grant funds and revenue forecasting from foundations, in close partnership with Development and Finance leadership. Coordinate with Development and Finance leadership and programmatic leaders to develop program and project budgets for grants that align with CBPP budget needs and funder requirements.
Work closely with leadership and CBPP Action, an allied c4, to identify, cultivate, and solicit new opportunities for support. Oversee the maintenance of all foundation records in Salesforce, including grant calendars, revenue pipelines, and donor interactions.
Stay current on philanthropic news and trends and the programmatic directions of current and potential future funders to inform and adjust CBPP’s foundation fundraising strategy. Supervise and mentor four development staff, setting performance goals and overseeing their professional development.
Collaborate with State Fiscal Policy leadership and Development Team leadership to manage the ongoing cultivation and stewardship of the National Funding Collaborative, made up of ten major national philanthropies providing support to CBPP and to members of the State Priorities Partnership network.
The State Priorities Partnership, which CBPP founded and coordinates, is comprised of state-level multi-issue independent policy organizations in 40 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Requirements

A minimum of 10 years of experience in fundraising, development, or grant writing and management, with a proven track record of securing significant foundation grants. Experience managing a team of fundraisers, preferably within a nonprofit setting. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful fundraising strategies.
Demonstrated ability to learn the programmatic work of a complex organization and communicate that work compellingly to funders.
Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects under pressure. Ability to engage with senior leaders in the organization.
Superior writing and editing skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including foundation officers, donors, and internal teams.
Extensive experience and proficiency with CRM databases; Salesforce preferred.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.
Ability to travel up to 15% of the time. Commitment to the CBPP’s mission and the ability to translate that understanding into compelling donor communications.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

Salary for this position ranges from $150,000 to $170,000 per year; pay is based on a number of factors including job-related knowledge, skills, and experience and internal pay equity. Excellent benefits (including health insurance, vision and dental coverage, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, MERP, and DCAP) and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules.

How to Apply for this Job

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About the Organization

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a high-caliber, strategic policy organization that informs and shapes public policies to reduce poverty, promote equity, and build opportunity, on both the federal and state levels. To advance these goals, the Center supports and invests in an infrastructure of state-level policy, advocacy, and community-based organizations that share our mission, including the members of the State Priorities Partnership, a network of 43 organizations in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

This support includes expert advice, strategic guidance, and convenings and other opportunities for shared learning. An integral dimension of this support is a complex grantmaking portfolio comprising over 150 separate grants each year, totaling $8 million to $12 million, reflecting investments from more than a dozen foundations. The Center provides grants for work securing state-level policy improvements as well as grants that allow state groups to engage in critical federal policy debates. All grantmaking is toward the goal of advancing policies that reduce poverty and inequality, broaden health coverage and opportunity, and promote racial and economic justice.

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