FOUNDATION RELATIONS ASSOCIATE, BUMC, Advancement

Boston University • Boston, MA

3d

About The Position

Boston University Advancement is seeking a Foundation Relations Associate to join their team. This role supports the Foundation Relations (FR) team in identifying and securing philanthropic resources for the university's research, scholarship, art, and professional practice initiatives. The Associate will be part of the "RFP Team," focusing on applications prompted by Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Key responsibilities include collecting and summarizing RFPs, researching prospective funders, and assisting faculty with proposal development. The position also involves managing constituent relationship systems, maintaining fundraising resources, and contributing to the FR website. A significant aspect of this role will be assisting in the development and utilization of AI technology to enhance these tasks. The Associate will work collaboratively with university leadership, faculty, staff, and external constituents to achieve the goals of BU Advancement, Foundation Relations, and the RFP Team.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree.
• One to three years of relevant work experience.
• Advanced oral/written communications skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Intellectual curiosity, with a “can-do” mindset and strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Facility in working both independently and collaboratively.
• Capacity to collaborate, multitask, and juggle priorities as necessary.
• Ability to handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
• Possession of or readiness to develop skills in the use of AI in a fundraising context.

Nice To Haves

• Interest in fundraising as well as academic research

Responsibilities

• Support the RFP Team leader in developing, implementing, and evaluating operational strategy for the team and assist in reporting on the team’s progress, including assisting in the introduction of AI technology into workflows.
• Collect, summarize, and assist frontline fundraisers to distribute funding opportunities (RFPs) to the faculty and track uptake of funding opportunities.
• Compile monthly listings of cancer-related research funding round-ups.
• Create customized roadmaps of funding opportunities for early-career faculty (approximately 30 per year).
• Manage constituent relationship system reporting and record maintenance in ADV’s CRM system (currently Blackbaud Enterprise system, BBEC), including entering plans, opportunities, contact reports, and other information.
• Develop listings of funders who support specific research and programmatic activities.
• Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to create and maintain foundation fundraising resources, such as the proposal library.
• Contribute to the maintenance and updating of the FR website.
• Automate or semi-automate tasks through the use of AI, particularly management of RFPs.
• Coordinate and participate in weekly meetings of the RFP Team, monthly meetings of the RFP Team and Research Development, and biweekly meetings of the Medical Campus development team.
• Assist with scheduling of meetings of RFP team members with faculty and funders, occasionally attending meetings.
• Collaborate on planning and execution of Red Team Reviews, setting the time, coordinating with reviewers and applicants, and ensuring that the reviewers complete all required documentation.
• Process all payments for Red Team Reviews.
• Help to prepare and commentate on slide presentations on FR mission and activities to faculty/departments.
• Assist in preparation of briefing materials for faculty and academic leadership with funders.
• Liaise with proposal management offices at BU (e.g., Sponsored Programs, Proposal Development).
• Assist faculty with preparation of proposals, letters of inquiry, and other application components.
• Draft brief project descriptions, introductory emails to prospective funders, and occasional miscellaneous communications.

Benefits

• Equal opportunity employer status
• Consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status.
• VEVRAA Federal Contractor status
• Reasonable accommodation available for the employment application process

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level