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Foundation Relations Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

William Paterson University

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

Position Summary The Associate Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations supports the university's institutional fundraising efforts by managing foundation relations activities, coordinating ...

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$57K

$113.6K

$213.5K

How much do foundation relations director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation relations director in the United States is $113,570.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,000.00 and $134,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Foundation Relations Director?

A Foundation Relations Director needs expertise in grant writing, relationship management, fundraising strategies, and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree, often in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management databases (such as Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce), grant tracking systems, and certification in fundraising (like CFRE) can be highly beneficial. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and strategic planning abilities, as well as a collaborative approach, help distinguish top candidates. These qualifications are vital to securing foundation support, managing partnerships, and achieving fundraising goals for the organization.

What are some typical challenges a Foundation Relations Director faces in this role?

Foundation Relations Directors often face the challenge of navigating highly competitive grant environments and cultivating long-term relationships with a diverse array of foundation partners. They may also need to balance multiple grant deadlines and reporting requirements while aligning funding opportunities with the organization's priorities. Additionally, adapting messaging to resonate with various stakeholders and responding to shifting philanthropic trends can be demanding. However, overcoming these challenges offers opportunities for meaningful impact, professional growth, and the chance to advance the nonprofit's mission.

What does a Foundation Relations Director do?

A Foundation Relations Director is responsible for managing and growing relationships with foundations to secure funding for an organization. They research potential grant opportunities, write proposals, and report on grant-funded projects. Additionally, they cultivate relationships with foundation representatives to align funding priorities with the organization’s mission. This role often collaborates with program staff to develop compelling funding requests and ensures compliance with grant requirements.

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Foundation Relations Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foundation Relations Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 93% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $113,570 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

Director, Foundation Relations

Westminster University

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

$69K - $86K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description


Director of Foundation Relations
Westminster University


Position Type: Full-Time, Benefited

Work Location: Westminster University Campus

1840 South 1300 East

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

What we offer:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan with a 5.5% employer contribution
  • Tuition Remission (after a qualifying period of employment)
  • 18 Paid Holidays Annually
  • Cell Phone Plan Discounts


Please apply directly through Westminster University's Career Job Posting.

A completed application will include:


  • Resume
  • Cover letter that describes how your previous experience will contribute to this role and the Westminster community.
  • Three professional references with their full name, job title, organization name, relationship to the applicant, and contact information.



Please submit all required documents through the single Dropbox provided during your application.

About the Role:

The Director of Foundation Relations is a frontline fundraiser responsible for securing institutional grants from private and family foundations and may, at times, support and collaborate to secure government, agency, and corporate opportunities as well. The director plans and executes the full grant lifecycle for the existing foundation portfolio at Westminster University, collaborates with institutional leadership to align solicitations with university priorities, and handles the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of new national and regional foundation opportunities. Occasionally, the director will engage and solicit individuals as assigned in coordination with the prospect research office.

The director develops strategy and planning milestones for foundations during Westminster’s current comprehensive fundraising campaign and other university or foundation-prioritized initiatives. This often involves a range of cultivation to proposal submission conversations that can impact lead gift generation and establish agreements related to secured funding. The director initiates and conducts personal visits with key foundation contacts as needed and accompanies university leadership and campus partners (faculty and staff) on foundation visits as necessary.

Responsibilities also include the oversight and execution of all stages of proposal development with campus partners, grant writing, grant reporting, and foundation application processes. The director provides timely reporting to external and internal stakeholders and conducts routine financial tracking of grants and potential grants in Westminster’s Institutional Advancement CRM, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/NXT. The ability to manage a variety of significant university relationships within a moves management process, function independently, and balance multiple deadlines with competing priorities is essential. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail are a must. A genuine enjoyment of working with a diverse constituent base, including campus partners, alumni, donors, and friends, will ensure this position’s success.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree required
  • 5 years + of progressively responsible experience in institutional advancement, foundation
  • relations, grant writing, or other, related, nonprofit development
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to initiate communication with members
  • of Westminster University’s community
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
  • Proven ability to work in a team environment 
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 
  • Excellent multitasking and time management skills; ability to be self-motivated to make
  • progress on projects and goals, and to be accountable
  • Professionalism, maturity, and an ability to maintain confidentiality 



Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree
  • 2 years + of direct experience cultivating foundation prospects and securing funding from institutional or private foundations
  • Proven track record in successfully managing a portfolio of prospects and closing complex philanthropic gifts or grants at the six and seven figure level


Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the Director of Foundation Relations will:


  • Proposal & Grant Management: Oversee all stages of proposal development, including drafting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs), comprehensive grant proposals, and case statements, while ensuring they adhere to strict formatting and budget requirements.
  • Relationship Building & Solicitation: Maintain a portfolio of active foundation prospects, which includes coordinating site visits and facilitating meetings between foundation officers and university leadership, board members, and campus partners.
  • Stewardship & Compliance: Oversee post-award reporting and compliance, ensuring grant funds are used as directed. This includes updating foundation contacts on the impact of their gift commitments to encourage future funding.
  • Strategy & Pipeline Management: Develop annual strategic plans to secure annual and major gifts from foundation opportunities. Continuously research and identify prospective funders whose missions align with Westminster’s priorities and programs.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a liaison between Institutional Advancement (IA) and internal offices as necessary to ensure compelling proposal development and execution of grants & gift commitments, which may include an assigned liaison role as IA’s centralized point of contact to a campus Dean and School/College and their advisory board of volunteers for funding and engagement priorities.
  • Portfolio Growth: Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new national and regional foundation opportunities; engage and solicit individuals, as assigned, in coordination with the prospect research office.
  • Campaign Strategy: Develop foundation relationship strategies and planning milestones for Westminster’s comprehensive fundraising campaign and other prioritized initiatives to ensure a positive trajectory.
  • Systems Management: Responsibly document all work with prospects and funders into the constituent relationship management system (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/NXT) in a timely manner, in accordance with Institutional Advancement policies and procedures.
  • Additional Duties: Perform other duties as assigned.


Equal Employment Opportunity:

Westminster University is committed to a diversified workforce, equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination. To this end, Westminster prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on race or ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, disabilities, genetic information, status as a veteran, or any other category or classification protected by applicable federal, state, or city laws.