Senior Manager of Foundation Relations/Grant Writer

National Women's Law Center • Washington, DC

100d • $99,438 - $131,564

About The Position

The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) seeks a strategic and versatile development professional to join its team as Senior Manager of Foundation Relations. This position plays a vital role in NWLC’s foundation fundraising efforts, managing a portfolio that supports cross-cutting issues, including democracy, LGBTQIA+ issues, harassment, and state work. While the Senior Manager of Foundation Relations will contribute to the full scope of NWLC’s programmatic fundraising, the role will focus primarily on securing grants that support NWLC’s litigation work, policy advocacy, research, and campaigns programs. This includes conducting research and analysis to identify and assess prospective funders, translating program initiatives into compelling proposals and reports, and highlighting NWLC’s leadership in advocacy coalitions to demonstrate impact. The Senior Manager of Foundation Relations will also support cross-team initiatives and special projects that strengthen NWLC’s foundation partnerships. The Senior Manager of Foundation Relations reports to the Senior Director of Foundation Engagement. This is a full-time, exempt position of 37.5 hours per week.

Requirements

• At minimum 5 years of progressively responsible foundation fundraising experience, with significant expertise in grant writing (proposals, reports, and funder communications), ideally within a national advocacy, policy, or legal organization.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex issues and programmatic work in compelling, funder-aligned language.
• Experience in funder research and analysis, including prospecting and aligning donor interests with organizational priorities.
• Proven ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including internal staff and foundation representatives.
• Strong project management skills, with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and managing multiple priorities with precision.
• Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge and prospect research tools.
• Commitment to gender and racial justice, with experience centering equity in fundraising practices.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive donor or organizational information.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and travel for donor engagement and events.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with the philanthropic landscape supporting gender, racial, and LGBTQIA+ justice.
• Experience supporting coalition-based or cross-issue campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Develop general operating, project/program, and campaign proposals, reports, and budgets across the Law Center’s established program areas, in collaboration with the Senior Director of Foundation Engagement, additional foundation relations staff, and key program, campaigns and communications, and finance staff.
• Pitch NWLC’s intersectional frameworks and campaigns to connect with new funders and generate additional broad financial support.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of foundation funders, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to ensure strategic growth and renewals.
• Serve as a liaison to one or more program areas, aligning fundraising strategies with program goals and deepening internal knowledge of programmatic work.
• Serve as the foundation prospecting co-lead—identifying and qualifying prospects, developing research briefs and drafting communications, collaborating with senior leadership to identify existing relationships and outreach strategies, scheduling and staffing meetings, tracking actions and next steps, and highlighting emerging trends in philanthropy broadly.
• Monitor and track program activities, outcomes, and expenses to ensure accurate and timely reporting, in partnership with Program and Finance teams.
• Assist in developing and monitoring the Center’s annual and longer-term revenue plan and the development department’s annual budget as they relate to foundation support.
• Develop and manage periodic donor briefing calls, working collaboratively with program and development staff to devise content.
• Represent the organization at donor facing activities, conferences, and other public events.
• Support key administrative functions, including acknowledgements, updating the grants calendar, and tracking pertinent actions in Raiser’s Edge.
• Engage in other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A salary within the range of $99,438-131,564 based on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Four weeks of annual vacation.
• Eligibility for some telework while also being expected to work in person on a regular basis.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees