[Hiring] Manager, Foundation Relations @Make-A-Wish America

Role Description

The Manager, Foundation Relations will serve as a strategic partner to Make-A-Wish America and chapter fundraising teams by identifying, researching, qualifying, and prioritizing foundation opportunities that advance wish granting across the country. This role combines:

• Prospect research
• Fundraising strategy
• Relationship mapping
• Data integrity
• Pipeline management

The Manager will dedicate approximately:

• 50% of their time to researching and qualifying family foundations with national giving interests
• 25% of their time developing strategies for engagement with the nation’s largest private and philanthropic foundations
• 25% of their time supporting chapter teams in identifying, pursuing, and securing local or regional foundation funding opportunities

The Manager will bring strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of philanthropy, foundation giving trends, prospect research practices, and ethical research standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, Business, Communications, Research, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in fundraising, institutional giving, prospect research, foundation relations, or a related discipline
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to synthesize complex information into actionable fundraising recommendations
• Commitment to mission-driven fundraising and high-quality research practices
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a remote-first, collaborative environment

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience conducting philanthropic, donor, and institutional prospect research
• Strong understanding of family foundations, private foundations, and institutional philanthropy
• Ability to analyze complex foundation giving patterns and identify strategic funding opportunities
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present research findings and recommendations clearly
• Experience using fundraising databases, foundation research tools, and CRM platforms
• Knowledge of prospect management, moves management, pipeline tracking, and fundraising operations best practices
• Ability to identify relationship pathways among foundation leaders, trustees, advisors, board members, donors, volunteers, staff, and chapter leaders
• Ability to collaborate effectively with national and chapter fundraising professionals in a remote environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking capabilities
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling confidential information
• Commitment to advancing Make-A-Wish’s mission through data-driven fundraising strategies

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package, effective day 1: Medical, Vision*, Dental*, Wellness
• Competitive compensation with annual incentive potential
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account Options
• Health Reimbursement Account fully funded by Make-A-Wish America
• Short Term Disability*, Long Term Disability* and Life Insurance
• Additional Insurance Plans: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance through Figo
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with 5% match after one year of service
• Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• The organization will send a laptop, 24” monitor, and a docking station/adaptor to new hires
• Competitive PTO starting at 15 days, with enhanced time off for senior roles
• 10 Sick Days
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 2 Volunteer Days after one year of service
• 2 Personal Days accrued annually
• Parental Leave
• Employee Awards and Recognition Programs
• Individual and Leadership Development
• Discounts and special offers for theme parks, events, hotels, concerts, and movie tickets
• Monthly premiums paid for the employee for vision, dental, and short/long term disability