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Foundation Development Specialist information

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$33.5K

$81.6K

$141K

How much do foundation development specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation development specialist in the United States is $81,632.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $99,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a foundation development specialist?

Foundation Development Specialists are professionals who focus on cultivating relationships and securing funding from foundations to support an organization's programs and initiatives. They research potential funding sources, write grant proposals, and manage existing foundation grants. Their role is crucial in helping nonprofits and other organizations achieve their missions by maximizing foundation-based support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a foundation development specialist?

To thrive as a Foundation Development Specialist, you need expertise in fundraising, grant writing, and relationship management, usually supported by a bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management software, CRM systems, and fundraising databases like Raiser’s Edge is often required. Outstanding interpersonal, persuasive communication, and organizational skills help build lasting donor relationships and manage multiple projects. These competencies are crucial for securing funding and fostering community partnerships that drive the foundation’s mission forward.

What are some common challenges faced by foundation development specialists when cultivating new donor relationships?

Foundation Development Specialists often encounter challenges such as identifying potential donors whose philanthropic interests align with the organization's mission and establishing initial trust. Building genuine, long-term relationships requires strong communication and persistence, especially in a competitive fundraising landscape. Additionally, specialists must be adept at personalizing engagement strategies while managing multiple prospects and meeting fundraising goals. Collaborating closely with program staff and leadership is essential to present compelling cases for support and demonstrate the impact of donations.

What is the difference between Foundation Development Specialist vs Structural Engineer?

AspectFoundation Development SpecialistStructural Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in civil engineering or related field, with certifications in foundation design or geotechnical engineeringRequires a degree in civil or structural engineering, often with licensure (PE) and specialization in structural analysis
Work EnvironmentPrimarily on construction sites and geotechnical labs, focusing on foundation systems and soil analysisDesign offices and construction sites, focusing on overall structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by construction firms, geotechnical consulting companies, and civil engineering firmsCommonly employed by structural engineering firms, architectural firms, and construction companies

The Foundation Development Specialist focuses on designing and analyzing foundation systems and soil stability, often working closely with geotechnical aspects. In contrast, the Structural Engineer has a broader role in designing and analyzing entire structures, ensuring safety and compliance. Both roles require civil engineering credentials but differ in scope and focus.

What cities are hiring for Foundation Development Specialist jobs?

Cities with the most Foundation Development Specialist job openings:

What states have the most Foundation Development Specialist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Foundation Development Specialist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Foundation Development Specialist jobs?

For Foundation Development Specialist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Foundation Development Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foundation Development Specialist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,632 per year, or $39.2 per hour.

Foundation Development Specialist

Murfreesboro, TN • On-site

Ascension
Health Care and Social Assistance • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Ascensionexternal

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

Ascension Healthcare rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 1,048 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Your future role at a glance

Location: Murfreesboro, TN

Facility: Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford

Department: Foundation Services 

Schedule: Full-time | Day Shift

How you'll make an impact in this role
  • Participate in fundraising campaigns, grant administration, major gift and/or charitable development programs.
  • Assist with fundraising campaigns including budgets and timelines.
  • Develop donor confidence and relationships through effective gift solicitation, processing and acknowledgement.
  • Support the development and implementation of tracking strategies for solicitation efforts and perform analysis of data for results.
  • Develop and manage Employee Giving Campaign and other campaigns.
What minimum qualifications you'll need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

  • Certification specializing in Fund Raising preferred.

Education:

  • High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate'sdegree/Bachelor's degree OR 4 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
What additional requirements you'll need
  • one or two years of major gift experience of $10,000 or more highly preferred.
Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

Fraud prevention notice

Prospective applicants should be vigilant against fraudulent job offers and interview requests. Scammers may use sophisticated tactics to impersonate Ascension employees. To ensure your safety, please remember: Ascension will never ask for payment or to provide banking or financial information as part of the job application or hiring process. Our legitimate email communications will always come from an @ascension.org email address; do not trust other domains, and an official offer will only be extended to candidates who have completed a job application through our authorized applicant tracking system.

E-Verify statement

Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.

Benefits

Paid time off (PTO)Various health insurance options & wellness plansRetirement benefits including employer match plansLong-term & short-term disabilityEmployee assistance programs (EAP)Parental leave & adoption assistanceTuition reimbursementWays to give back to your community

Benefit options and eligibility vary by position. Compensation varies based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, performance, location and salary range at the time of the offer.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

What Ascension Healthcare employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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About Ascension

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Ascension is a leading non-profit, faith-based national health system made up of over 150,000 associates and 2,600 sites of care, including more than 140 hospitals and 40 senior living communities in 19 states.

Industry

Health care and social assistance and outpatient health care

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

St. Louis, MO, US

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