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Foundation Relations Director Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Cleary University

Director of Advancement

Howell, MI · On-site

Director of Advancement Position Summary: Cleary University, a rapidly growing, student-centered ... Execute and expand the university's efforts in foundation relations, grant development, including ...

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Development Director

Troy, MI · On-site

$81K - $92K/yr

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a leading healthcare nonprofit organization like no other. For ... relations. * Ensure fundraising activities align with department, area and chapter goals, and ...

Henry Ford Health

Sr Grant Coordinator

Detroit, MI · On-site +1

$49K - $67K/yr

Under the direction of the Director of Foundation Relations, this position is responsible for identifying opportunities and working with internal customers and external partners to develop funding ...

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Foundation Relations Director information

See Michigan salary details

$49.7K

$99K

$186.1K

How much do foundation relations director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation relations director in Michigan is $98,987.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,600.00 and $116,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 are popular job titles related to Foundation Relations Director jobs in Michigan?

For Foundation Relations Director jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Foundation Relations Director jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Foundation Relations Director jobs in Michigan are:

Foundation Relations Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Foundation Relations Director job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,987 per year, or $47.6 per hour.

Director of Development

EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Ypsilanti, MI • On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Create plans for donor outreach and develop tailored solicitation strategies for individual donors.

  • Build and maintain relationships with prospective and current major donors through meetings, visits, and engagement activities.

  • Manage donor portfolios, track engagement activity, and prepare reports on fundraising progress.

Job description

Director Of Development

College of Arts & Sciences


Eastern Michigan University Foundation

In 1989, the Eastern Michigan University Regents founded the Eastern Michigan University Foundation, with the sole mission and purpose to provide additional financial support to students, programs, services, and the educational community of Eastern Michigan University. The EMU Foundation solicits funds on behalf of the University with the purpose of increasing the sources and amounts of private funds for the benefit of the University. All fundraising activities and events undertaken by individual units of EMU are coordinated through the EMU Foundation.


Director of Development for The College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences at Eastern Michigan University is the university's largest academic division, offering 124 degree programs with an average class size of 25. It provides student-centered education in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and fine arts across multiple campus buildings.


The Director of Development will provide direct support to the Dean and Faculty of the college while partnering with Advancement team members in a highly collaborative environment.


Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, with a focus on individual major giving, the Director of Development creates plans for donor outreach with the collaboration of Advancement team members. Additionally, leads, inspires, and manages annual resource development goals and multi-year fundraising plan/strategy to support the college, students and faculty.


The Director of Development will be well supported by and will collaborate closely with the EMU Foundation's Advancement Services and Alumni Engagement teams. This includes direct fundraising support for annual giving programs, donor stewardship, and customized alumni engagement programming, event support, and communications to the constituencies from within the college. Additionally, they will work with the Data & Information Systems team to utilize robust prospect research and development, reporting, and gift & records support.


Principal Duties and Responsibilities:      


Fulfills Advancement Performance Standards

  • Invest 60-80% of time on direct fundraising
  • Manage a portfolio size, primary and secondary, of 100-150 donors
  • Have 160-220 substantive interactions annually
  • Perform 15-25 qualification or discovery meetings
  • Complete 15-25 managed asks, with 10-20 closed; and 7-15 team asks
  • Create an Annual Work Plan detailing:
  • Division Priorities/Goals
  • Job Specific Work Goals
  • Professional Development

Donor Identification & Research

  • Identify and qualify potential major gift donors.
  • Conduct research on donor capacity, philanthropic interests, and giving history.
  • Develop donor strategies based on wealth screenings and engagement analytics.

Donor Cultivation & Relationship Building

  • Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective and current major donors.
  • Conduct one-on-one meetings, campus visits, and personalized engagement activities.
  • Engage regional donors in alignment with institutional fundraising strategies.
  • Work closely with the Dean, faculty, and institutional leadership to align donor interests with institutional priorities.

Gift Solicitation & Proposal Development

  • Develop tailored solicitation strategies for individual donors.
  • Present funding opportunities through personalized proposals and case statements.
  • Make direct asks for major gifts through in-person meetings, calls, and written proposals.

Donor Stewardship & Recognition

  • Ensure proper acknowledgment and appreciation of major donors through thank-you letters, impact reports, and events.
  • Provide ongoing engagement to deepen donor relationships and encourage future giving.
  • Coordinate donor recognition programs, including naming opportunities and special acknowledgments.

Collaboration with Institutional Stakeholders

  • Work closely with university leadership, advancement team members, and faculty to align fundraising goals.
  • Partner with alumni relations, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations teams to maximize donor engagement.
  • Serve as a liaison between donors and institutional programs or projects they support.

Data Management & Reporting

  • Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activity using CRM tools (Raiser’s Edge).
  • Prepare reports on progress toward fundraising goals and donor pipeline development.
  • Use data analytics to refine donor strategies and measure success.

Event Participation & Major Gift Campaigns

  • Support or organize donor cultivation events, including receptions, galas, and campus tours.
  • Participate in campaign planning for capital projects, scholarships, endowments, and special initiatives.
  • Coordinate follow-up strategies post-events to convert engaged donors into major contributors.


Minimum Qualifications:

EMU seeks a focused philanthropy professional with proven experience achieving major giving goals, and cultivating relationships with prospects, donors and colleagues. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience. Prior experience within a higher education experience is desirable. The selected candidate will be collaborative, compassionate and charismatic, with a can-do attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:    

Key Competencies

  • Relationship Building: Ability to cultivate and maintain long-term donor relationships.
  • Fundraising Knowledge: Understanding of philanthropic trends, donor motivations, and gift solicitation techniques.
  • Communication: Strong verbal and written skills for donor meetings, proposals, and presentations.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
  • Persuasion & Negotiation: Comfort with making direct gift solicitations and closing major donations.
  • Confidentiality & Ethics: Knowledge of fundraising best practices, gift agreements, and donor confidentiality.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, communications, or a related field.
  • Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is preferred.

Personal competencies

  • Relationship and trust building skills
  • Highly credible with personal integrity
  • Proactive and highly responsive
  • Solution-oriented/Identifies new opportunities
  • Results and goal oriented
  • Excellent communications skills
  • Confidence to take action and “run with things”

Eastern Michigan University Foundation offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision Insurance; long-term disability, AD& D and life insurance; a retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution; a generous paid time off package; a tuition waiver program, and much more. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 annually. This position is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This role requires local and regional travel for donor meetings.