Demo

Manager, Foundation Relations

startearly
Chicago, IL Full Time
POSTED ON 1/1/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/28/2026

Manager, Foundation Relations 

The Ounce of Prevention Fund is one of Chicago’s most energized, future-focused organizations devoted to early childhood development.

Our mission is to improve the life chances for low-income children through programs, training, research and advocacy.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including 401(k); tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities; flex work hours and work-from-home options; and paid parental leave. 

Reporting to the Assistant Director, Foundation Relations you will:

  • Responsible for securing and stewarding funding from foundation donors at the Ounce of Prevention Fund.
  • Lead strategy for a portfolio of foundation funder relationships, oversees and executes donor cultivation and renewal strategies.
  • Partner with Development colleagues and Ounce leadership to develop and execute an overall cultivation strategy for current funders and prospects. This includes:
    • Overseeing the development and submission of grant proposals and reports (and attachments/supporting materials) to foundations for Ounce programs and priorities, and tracking of grant deliverables.
    •  Establishing and maintaining funder contacts, developing background research and meeting prep sheets, and preparing other fundraising materials.
    • Developing and executing proactive funder stewardship and engagement plans and other key stewardship touch points to strengthen funder relationships for assigned portfolio and position the Ounce for renewed and increased giving with existing funders.
  • Lead cross-divisional teams to obtain all necessary information on programs/initiatives for inclusion in concept papers, grant proposals and funder reports, and support leadership in the development of the overall frame and positioning of the Ounce’s work with external funders.
  • Collaborate with finance and program staff to develop and manage budgets, expenditure reports and accompanying financial narratives needed for grant proposals and reports, and proactively manage internal monitoring of project budgets to inform reports to funders.
  • Maintain ownership of foundation data and grant management systems for assigned portfolio.
  • Build effective internal and external relationships to support the stewardship of complex funder relationships.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Journalism, Social Science, Business Administration or a related field.
  • At least three years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising, which should include:
    • Prior experience in stewardship of foundation donors, including managing institutional grants.
    • Prior experience accomplishing the goals of a comprehensive fundraising plan.
    • Prior supervisory experience.
  • Advanced grant writing and editing skills with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Advanced project management skills to balance multiple large-scale projects and deadlines simultaneously.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and maintain strong relationships within a highly-collaborative work environment.
  • Knowledge of local and national institutional donors.
  • Computer literate – Microsoft Word and Excel.

Last but not least we offer some great perks:

  • Work from home options for qualified employees plus flexible hours.
  • Tuition reimbursement, competitive salary and benefit packages, employer contribution towards your 401k, and much more.

The Ounce is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.

Salary.com Estimation for Manager, Foundation Relations in Chicago, IL
$87,069 to $119,740
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