Director, Foundation Relations

MDA Overview:

At MDA, we believe our biggest asset is our combination ofdifferent backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines united to form one high-performing team. Reuniting people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, we ensure that we all have access to the opportunities, relationships, and resources necessary to learn, grow, and thrive. What we do starts with our people and the neuromuscular disease community we serve. As America's largest voluntary health organization covering research, healthcare, and advocacy for people with neuromuscular diseases, MDA is leading the way in improving the quality of life for those living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, and dozens of related disorders - many first discovered and diagnosed by MDA partnered scientists and clinicians.

Department Overview:

The mission of the Foundation Relations team is to prospect, cultivate, and develop direct relationships with corporate and private foundations to drive significant philanthropic growth. Managing MDA's grant writing efforts, this department is strongly driven by building an adequate pipeline of prospects; establishing new relationships with key Foundation partners; and maintaining and elevating existing relationships and opportunities to highlight MDA's mission and impact.

Position Overview:

The Director, Foundation Relations plays a strategic leadership role within the Foundation Relations team, managing a complex, national portfolio of $500,000-$1M and driving initiatives to secure high level, often multi-year grants from prominent foundations. This role involves high-level donor engagement, strategic planning, and advancing organizational goals through innovative funding approaches. The Director, Foundation Relations serves as a trusted advisor, thought leader, and expert in foundation fundraising. The Director, Foundation Relations will report directly to the Senior Director, Foundation Relations.

What you'll do:

• Conducts general and targeted prospect research to identify new sources of potential revenue and submits appropriate and timely grants to access such revenue.
• Assists Foundation Relations leadership in development of strategies, policies, and procedures to increase annual revenue from foundations and other organizations that provide funding based on grant applications.
• Serve as a liaison for high-level foundation donors, participating in strategic discussions to align funding priorities with organizational needs.
• Represent the organization in high-stakes external engagements, such as donor meetings and presentations.
• Serve as a lead in the preparation of complex grant proposals requiring cross-departmental input, multi-program alignment, and detailed budgetary coordination.
• Drive innovation in grant storytelling and impact reporting to compellingly showcase organizational achievements and measurable outcomes.
• Develop and refine processes for identifying, prioritizing, and managing grant opportunities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with Foundation Relations leadership to establish policies for foundation stewardship and reporting.
• Regularly analyze and report on the performance of the grant portfolio, identifying trends, gaps, and areas for growth.
• Identify opportunities for innovative funding mechanisms, such as collaborative grants or capacity-building initiatives.
• Act as a resource and mentor for junior team members, sharing expertise in grant writing, relationship management, and strategic prospecting.
• Prepares grant proposals in draft and final form for internal review and, ultimately, submission.
• Participates in maintaining an MDA grants deadline calendar and meets deadlines for submissions.
• Works with finance and other departments as necessary to prepare interim and final project reports.
• Uses Salesforce to maintain an accurate database of current and prospective grant opportunities, as well as current grant awards.
• Develops, in conjunction with the Foundation Relations team, timely updates for MDA leadership on active and pending grant proposals.
• Participates as required at internal meetings and external events related to MDA's grant writing initiatives.
• Assists the Foundation Relations leadership in ensuring that all grant related activities including sourcing, submitting, and accepting grants comply with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing non-profit business operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Salary Range:This position's salary range is$90,000 - $100,000. Final offer amounts and levels are determined by multiple factors, including your experience, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required.
• 5+ years of experience writing high level grants.
• 5+ years of experience conducting targeted prospect research.
• Demonstrated track record of sourcing and writing grant applications that generate $25,000-$250,000.
• Knowledge of external giving trends, best practices, prospecting platforms, and Foundation Relations networks.
• Certification from the American Grant Writers Association or the Grant Professionals Association is preferred.

MDA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

MDA Benefits:

*For fulltime employees

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance with prescription coverage
• Health Savings Account with contribution matching and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and/or dependent care
• Paid sick leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 100% contribution towards basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Optional additional life insurance and dependent life insurance available
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with company match
• Generous paid time off policy, with increasing accrual rate schedule
• 16 paid holidays
• Standard 35-hour work week with flexible hours
• Remote, work from home opportunities
• Leadership Development training opportunities
• Company sponsored Wellness Program