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Foundation Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Support Foundation Board of Trustees activities by coordinating quarterly meetings, including scheduling, logistics, materials preparation, and meeting execution support. * Manage donor ...

Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning * Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care ...

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Foundation Development information

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$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do foundation development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation development in the United States is $77,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the main challenges someone might face when working in Foundation Development, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Foundation Development often encounter challenges such as building and maintaining donor relationships, meeting fundraising targets, and coordinating across various departments. Navigating donor expectations and effectively communicating the foundation's mission requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills. To address these challenges, it's important to stay organized, leverage data-driven strategies, and collaborate closely with program staff and leadership to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals. Proactive relationship management and ongoing professional development can also help overcome common obstacles in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Foundation Development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Foundation Development, you need expertise in fundraising, grant writing, donor relations, and a background in nonprofit or philanthropic management, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with donor management software (like Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce), CRM systems, and fundraising certification (such as CFRE) is highly valued. Strong communication, relationship-building, and strategic planning skills help you engage stakeholders and inspire support. These abilities are crucial for securing financial resources, fostering donor trust, and advancing the foundation’s mission.

What is Foundation Development?

Foundation Development refers to the process of establishing, managing, and growing nonprofit organizations known as foundations. This involves fundraising, donor relations, strategic planning, grant writing, and overseeing charitable programs to fulfill the foundation’s mission. Professionals in foundation development work to secure funding, build partnerships, and ensure the foundation's long-term sustainability and impact. The role requires strong communication and organizational skills, as well as a passion for philanthropy and community service.

What is the difference between Foundation Development vs Foundation Repair?

AspectFoundation DevelopmentFoundation Repair
Primary FocusConstructing new foundations for buildings and structuresFixing and stabilizing existing foundations
Required CredentialsEngineering degrees, construction certificationsEngineering or construction certifications, specialized repair training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, new building projectsExisting structures, repair sites
Industry UsageConstruction, civil engineeringBuilding maintenance, structural engineering

Foundation Development involves constructing new foundations for buildings, focusing on design and installation. Foundation Repair centers on diagnosing and fixing issues in existing foundations to ensure stability. While both roles require engineering knowledge and construction skills, Foundation Development is about creating new structures, whereas Foundation Repair is about restoring existing ones.

More about Foundation Development jobs
What cities are hiring for Foundation Development jobs? Cities with the most Foundation Development job openings:
What states have the most Foundation Development jobs? States with the most job openings for Foundation Development jobs include:
Infographic showing various Foundation Development job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $77,438 per year, or $37.2 per hour.
Foundation Development Officer

Foundation Development Officer

CommonSpirit Health

Seattle, WA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


CommonSpirit Health rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 508 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

403rd of 875 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has a rich history of providing exceptional healthcare, dating back to 1891. Building upon a legacy of compassionate care and innovation, our organization has evolved over the years through strategic partnerships and integrations to expand our reach and services across the Puget Sound area.
Today, as Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we remain deeply committed to healing the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – in the communities we serve. This commitment is strengthened by the diverse expertise and shared values brought together through our growth.
Our dedicated providers offer a full spectrum of health care services, from routine wellness to complex disease management, all grounded in rigorous research and education. Our comprehensive network of 10 hospitals and nearly 300 care sites strategically located across the greater Puget Sound region reflects our ongoing commitment to accessibility and comprehensive care.
We are proud of our pioneering medical advances and numerous awards and accreditations that reflect our dedication to excellence. When you join Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you become part of a team that delivers top-quality, professional healthcare in modern, well-equipped facilities, and contributes to a legacy of service built on collaboration and shared purpose.


As our Foundation Development Officer, you will be responsible for maximizing philanthropic opportunities by engaging with major philanthropists. Your strong knowledge of development-based fundraising will be used to reach out and meet with prospects and investors in the local community. You will manage a portfolio of prospects and donors generating fundraising results from your conversations.
Every day, you will serve as a crucial liaison to numerous entities (i.e., hospitals, hospice, research institutes), identifying key stakeholders, building essential relationships, and fostering a robust two-way flow of information. This ensures alignment of objectives and maximizes collaborative opportunities that advance our mission.
To be successful in this role, you must have strong knowledge of philanthropic concepts, modern fundraising principles and a strong understanding of the art and science of related relationship building . In addition, you must be able to demonstrate strong organization/communication skills as well as self-motivation and perseverance in achieving established goals.

  • Owns a sales/development portfolio.
  • Works with Foundation leadership to develop and implement strategies for fund development and a sales-based approach to fundraising for the organization and larger division.
  • Identifies and priorities high-level prospects and investors.
  • Stewards all donors to ensure ongoing support and to maintain high levels of donor retention.
  • Meets or exceeds annual fundraising goals.
  • Owns relationship management and strategy for all prospects and investors in portfolio.

Required

  • 1-3 years experience in a team-selling environment.


Preferred

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field and 1-3 years relevant experience in business development, sales, fundraising or other similar fields.
  • Experience in planned giving instruments.

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