Assistant Vice President, Foundation Relations
About The Position
The Lundquist Institute seeks an accomplished fundraising professional to lead foundation relations and secure philanthropic support for biomedical research, clinical innovation, health equity initiatives, workforce development, and community programs. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the role leads the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private foundation partners whose priorities align with the Institute's mission. The position develops a pipeline of foundation prospects, creates compelling funding opportunities, and builds strategic partnerships to increase philanthropic investment. The role works collaboratively with investigators, research leaders, program directors, executive leadership, and development colleagues to translate complex scientific and community-based work into funding opportunities for institutional funders. It also provides strategic advice on foundation funding trends and, when appropriate, refers leads to other departments for impact investing and related opportunities.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree.
- At least 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in foundation relations, grant writing, or institutional giving.
- Demonstrated success securing significant foundation funding, including six- and seven-figure grants or philanthropic investments.
- Experience developing complex proposals involving multiple stakeholders.
- Exceptional written communication, storytelling, and proposal development skills.
- Strong strategic planning, project management, and relationship-building abilities.
- Ability to understand and communicate complex scientific, medical, and programmatic concepts.
- Ability to work effectively with senior executives, researchers, physicians, volunteers, and donors.
- Complete and signed application; incomplete submissions will not be considered.
- Ability to meet the position's background check and health clearance requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in biomedical research, healthcare, academic medicine, public health, or higher education.
- Knowledge of Southern California's philanthropic landscape.
- Experience fundraising for research, healthcare innovation, health equity, community-based programs, or scientific discovery initiatives.
- Familiarity with foundation databases, prospect research platforms, and donor CRM systems.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a foundation fundraising strategy aligned with institutional priorities and revenue goals.
- Build and manage a portfolio of foundation prospects and funders, and identify, research, and qualify local, regional, and national opportunities.
- Assess the alignment between foundation priorities and Institute research, clinical, education, and community programs.
- Create cultivation and solicitation strategies, maintain a robust pipeline, and provide revenue forecasts and projections.
- Partner with investigators, program leaders, and executive leadership to develop fundable concepts and philanthropic initiatives.
- Lead the development of letters of inquiry, proposals, concept papers, and presentations, translating complex scientific and program information into compelling cases for support.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary proposal teams, manage proposal timelines, and ensure proposals reflect funder priorities and institutional objectives.
- Develop and execute engagement strategies for foundation prospects and institutional funders across cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Coordinate foundation relationships, track interactions and next steps, and ensure timely follow-through among stakeholders.
- Engage senior leaders, investigators, program leaders, board members, and volunteers in funder cultivation and solicitation; prepare them for funder interactions.
- Coordinate site visits, briefings, presentations, proposal meetings, stewardship activities, and other funder-facing engagements.
- Prepare cultivation plans, meeting strategies, briefing materials, talking points, and follow-up actions.
- Develop and maintain relationship maps linking board members, institutional leaders, investigators, community partners, and foundation decision-makers.
- Represent the Institute within philanthropic and foundation communities to identify opportunities, gather intelligence, and strengthen institutional visibility.
- Convene investigators and program leaders around emerging funding opportunities and advise on foundation funding trends and interests.
- Collaborate with Research Administration colleagues on proposal submission, reporting, and compliance processes.
- Provide timely foundation reporting and impact communications, develop customized stewardship strategies, and support renewals and increased giving.
- Maintain accurate fundraising activity and records in the donor database.
Benefits
- Full-time benefits (FT Benefit)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
