Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

Project Access•Orange, CA

8h•$95,000 - $107,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a national corporate fundraising role responsible for building, managing, and expanding a portfolio of corporate partners, financial institutions, private and public foundations, and other philanthropic organizations in support of Project Access’s mission and fundraising goals. The Director researches, prospects, cultivates, solicits, and stewards corporate and foundation funding across Project Access’s 17-state footprint and supports the Fund Development team in achieving the organization’s annual strategic funding goal. The role develops corporate partnership strategies, manages a portfolio of 50–75 qualified prospects capable of gifts of $25,000 to $500,000, oversees grant proposals and reporting, secures sponsorships and underwriting for national and regional events, and manages the Adopt a Resource Center program. The Director also represents Project Access to corporate stakeholders, supports marketing and fundraising materials, maintains prospect and donor records and pipeline metrics, and equips organizational and volunteer leaders to build corporate relationships. The position is hybrid near the corporate office in Orange, California, and reports to the CEO & President. It is full-time and exempt, Monday through Friday, with possible non-traditional hours, including evenings and occasional weekends. Nationwide travel is approximately 50%. The annual compensation range is $95,000–$107,000, with placement based on experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, communications, or a related field.
Three to five years of experience in corporate sales or nonprofit fundraising/development; experience in both is preferred.
Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure corporate partnerships.
Experience in strategic planning, portfolio management, and grant writing.
Working knowledge of CRM or donor database systems, such as Bloomerang, and pipeline reporting.
Strong business acumen, active listening, and negotiation skills.
Ability to proactively advance a funding pipeline from prospecting through close.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and proactively keep stakeholders informed.
Sound judgment in handling confidential information.
Emotional intelligence, persistence, problem-solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and creativity.
Successful completion of a background check.
Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and current automobile insurance.
Ability to sit for long periods and perform minimal lifting, bending, walking, kneeling, reaching, and step climbing.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
Experience in the social impact, social services, or education sector.
Knowledge of philanthropy trends, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit development practices.
Experience in both corporate sales and nonprofit fundraising/development.

Responsibilities

Build a strategic corporate partnership strategy that aligns Project Access priorities with corporate and foundation partner goals and grows a diversified, sustainable funding base with local, regional, and national reach.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors and philanthropic partners; manage a portfolio of 50–75 qualified prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 to $500,000.
Oversee preparation and submission of grant proposals and reports, and support long-term funding through ongoing relationship management.
Secure corporate sponsorship and underwriting for Project Access national and regional events.
Oversee the Adopt a Resource Center program, including solicitation, stewardship, and renewals.
Provide funder site tours and represent Project Access to corporate stakeholders.
Contribute to the annual corporate fundraising plan, including strategy, targets, timelines, costs, and projected income.
Partner with Marketing on positioning, sales materials, and campaign support.
Track prospect and donor activity in Bloomerang and maintain accurate pipeline data.
Serve as a public-facing spokesperson and advocate for Project Access in the corporate community.
Cultivate relationships with program managers and executives, deliver proposal presentations, and secure gifts.
Maintain donor relationships, communicate the impact of their support, and steward their investment.
Own budget lines relevant to the role and participate in the annual budget process.
Maintain a live metrics dashboard for the corporate pipeline and regularly report progress against goals.
Equip the Board, CEO, and volunteer leaders with tools and talking points to open corporate doors.
Attend industry events and conferences to build and maintain a national network.
Travel nationwide to meet and tour donors and funders, attend and participate in speaking engagements, and visit Project Access Resource Centers.
Undertake other tasks reasonably expected within the scope and grading of the position.