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Foundation Development Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Impact Officer

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Retirement

With an Allocation Committee composed of leading development economists and practitioners, the Foundation supports evidence-based, cost-effective, and scalable programs and research that we believe ...

Impact Officer

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Retirement

With an Allocation Committee composed of leading development economists and practitioners, the Foundation supports evidence-based, cost-effective, and scalable programs and research that we believe ...

Impact Officer

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Retirement

With an Allocation Committee composed of leading development economists and practitioners, the Foundation supports evidence-based, cost-effective, and scalable programs and research that we believe ...

Impact Officer

Hyde Park, MA · On-site

  • Retirement

With an Allocation Committee composed of leading development economists and practitioners, the Foundation supports evidence-based, cost-effective, and scalable programs and research that we believe ...

Head of Development

Boston, MA · On-site

$180 - $205/hr

Lead funder reporting and stewardship of government and foundation relationships. * Represent ... development function; key university and research partnership opportunities identified and ...

Director, Development (Greater Boston)

Boston, MA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Director, Development (Greater Boston) REPORTS TO: Vice President, Market-Based Development ... Collaborate with national channel teams (Corporate, Foundation, Government, and Individual Giving ...

Software Engineer II

Boston, MA · Hybrid

$114K - $140K/yr

This position completes design, development, unit testing, code reviews and technical documentation ... Commitment to reflect Foundation Medicine's values: Integrity, Courage, Passion The expected salary ...

Medical Programs Specialist

Boston, MA · On-site

$71K - $89K/yr

Support development, maintenance, and distribution of training materials and internal resources ... The salary range is commensurate with Foundation Medicine's compensation practice and considers ...

Showing results 41-60

Foundation Development information

See Boston, MA salary details

$35.9K

$84.1K

$144.5K

How much do foundation development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation development in Boston, MA is $84,129.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,600.00 and $98,300.00 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.

What are popular job titles related to Foundation Development jobs in Boston, MA? For Foundation Development jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Foundation Development job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,129 per year, or $40.4 per hour.

$154.20 - $279/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Salary: $154,200.00 - $279,000.00 Annually

Application Deadline: N/A

Job Description

The Managing Director, Development (MDD) is a full-time exempt position responsible for the leadership and management of ODARs fundraising team (5-6) that include principal gifts ($5M+), major gifts ($250K+), corporate and foundation relations, and coordination on gift planning with the University Development Office (UDO). The MDD also works collaboratively with colleagues across the School, including the Office of Communications, Office of Research Strategy and Development (ORSD) and the Office of Financial Services (OFS), as well as colleagues across Alumni Affairs and Development (AA&D), Harvard Schools, UDO and other university-wide partners. The MDD will work closely with the Vice Dean and School leadership to shape, articulate, and advance fundraising goals in support of Harvard Chan priorities. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for developing and executing high-level fundraising and prospect strategies to enable the realization of established goals and objectives in support of the annual and multi-year fundraising objectives for Harvard Chan School. In addition, the MDD will work closely with the Vice Dean and other Managing Directors to shape team culture and develop policies, practices and services that are facilitated across teams and through collaboration with the University Development Office. In close partnership with the ODAR Senior Leadership Team (OSLT), the MDD is responsible for integrating and unifying gift planning, major and principal gift fundraising, corporate partnerships and foundations relations while shaping a cohesive, collaborative, and accountable fundraising team. To achieve this, the MDD is responsible for building, motivating, mentoring and managing the team to develop and achieve stretch goals in support of Harvard Chan Schools fundraising priorities. The incumbent will also ensure that staff receive appropriate training and professional opportunities to ensure that a best-in-class fundraising operation is developed. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty, students, and alumni come from all corners of the globe. Our impact is far reaching. An entrepreneurial approach to building donor pipelines is essential to securing resources in support of our work.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following
  • Build, motivate, mentor, and manage direct reports to achieve goals in support of Harvard Chan Schools fundraising priorities. Establish expectations that are clear, well communicated, and related to the goals and objectives of the team, and provide staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim and annual evaluations as appropriate. Develop and lead strategies for professional development
  • Ensure the development of, and adherence to, a collective development operating plan to achieve strategic cultivation and solicitation of prospects. Work collaboratively to develop a multi-year plan that aligns with School fundraising priorities
  • Provide regular updates on progress to the Vice Dean, OSLT, and key stakeholders
  • Carry a small portfolio of key prospects and act as back-up for select prospects held by the Dean and Vice Dean
  • Work closely with team members to grow the prospect base and ensure productivity in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts
  • Partner strategically with the Vice Dean, OSLT and School colleagues to develop a strong and effective case of support for current and potential donors in advancing Harvard Chan development priorities. Develop effective strategies for communications, events, stewardship and proposals.
  • Actively partner and prioritize transparent and lasting relationships across Harvard Chan community through collaborating with faculty and other colleagues, including but not limited to the Office of Communications, ORSD, Office of Financial Services
  • Lead the development, execution and evaluation of annual and multi-year fundraising plan that supports the overall multi-year fundraising agenda and initiatives
  • Advance a development culture that embraces the use of systems and tools to effectively implement a moves management prospect management process, including the use of the Advance database and reporting and tracking tools. Works with the Strategy and Operations team to collaboratively define and prioritize systems and infrastructure in support of the fundraising managers and staff

The above covers the most significant responsibilities of the position. It does not, however, exclude other duties, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the level of the position.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
  • Fifteen years or more in nonprofit fundraising with increasing responsibility in managing a professional team and execution of the overall strategy.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
  • Advanced degree preferred
  • 15+ years of successful fundraising and fundraising management with an effective track record as a leader, manager, and strategist in a complex organization, university or related transferable experience preferred
  • Management experience with a proven ability to motivate, engage, manage performance and work with staff, donors, and volunteers, as well as academic leaders and faculty. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain performance improvement plans and a willingness to have difficult conversations
  • A strong working knowledge of annual/reunion, major, planned, and principal gift programs, including management of volunteer-intensive fundraising
  • Solid public speaking, presentation and written communication skills required
  • Demonstrated experience managing competing priorities and ability to multi-task
  • Demonstrated experience working effectively in a data-driven decision-making and management environment
  • Sophisticated and comprehensive understanding of giving principles and practices, extremely high levels of professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, and organization
  • Solid analytical skills and motivated to learn and be flexible to change
  • Great listening skills as well as ability to lead, influence and persuade others
  • Professional disposition and able to deal effectively and empathetically with people from all types of backgrounds and experiences in all types of difficult situations
  • Demonstrated experience evaluating problems accurately and display good, sound and confidential judgment
Additional Information

Please note:

  • A cover letter is a required component of the application.
  • Role requires scheduling flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend commitments, and travel of approximately 10-15%
  • Finalists may be asked to complete a skills assessment; additional details will be provided during the interview process
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
  • The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
  • Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
  • This position has a 180 day orientation and review period.

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the Universitys Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 061. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities

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