Associate, Foundation Relations

Civic Nation seeks an Associate to serve as a vital member of the Development Team. Reporting to the Director of Foundation Relations and working in close partnership with other development and program staff, the Associate of Foundation Relations will support all aspects of the grant cycle for Foundations, including prospecting, outreach tracking, drafting grant proposals and reports, tracking grant agreements and documentation, and database maintenance. The position requires strong writing and organizational skills, strong interpersonal communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize, multitask, drive work ahead, and execute in a fast-paced environment. 

The successful candidate must be based in the Washington, DC area, able to work in our DC office one day per week, and provide additional in-person support for projects and events as needed.

ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

The Development team is responsible for building partnerships that generate the resources necessary for Civic Nation to achieve its vision. The Development team engages foundations, individuals, and corporations to support our ongoing efforts. The Foundation Relations team is responsible for developing impactful partnerships and supporting fundraising efforts with philanthropic partners. This team is crucial not only to the success of the organization, but also to the larger culture of how philanthropy can impact our democracy.

ABOUT CIVIC NATION

Civic Nation is an impact hub for the ideas, leaders, and initiatives that strengthen civic culture, civic power, and civic participation. We shift culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Five initiatives are a part of Civic Nation: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, We The Action, and When We All Vote.

YOUR IMPACT

• Support and coordinate the grants process for the Development team’s Foundation Portfolio throughout all stages:
• Prospecting: In collaboration with the Director, help to identify new prospects, provide prospect research, and find prospect contact information.
• Proposals: Begin and manage the proposal process by putting together working documents, creating timelines, and drafting language.
• Grant Agreement: Manage and organize all grant agreements and relevant funder materials for record and reporting purposes.
• Reports: Begin and manage the reporting process by putting together working documents, creating timelines, and drafting language.
• Coordinate with the Finance team on requested materials as needed.
• Lead the maintenance and upkeep of our donor database in HubSpot for the Foundation Portfolio, including maintaining contact information and contact history and uploading all relevant funder materials.
• Work with the Development team on quality assurance and proofreading external materials as needed.
• Provide key administrative and organizational support to the Development Department, including assisting with donor mailings, special events, and other tasks, as needed.
• Prepare and route agendas and action items for internal meetings and briefing memos ahead of external stakeholder meetings.
• Serve as a representative for the Development team for internal cross-functional meetings and external events. 
• Other relevant and related duties as assigned.

YOUR EXPERIENCE

• 2 years of experience in a nonprofit environment.
• Fundraising experience, including demonstrated success in grant writing and securing foundation funds preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated experience developing external materials

YOUR COMPETENCIES

• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong capacity to listen to donor needs, with an ability to develop and maintain long-term, productive relationships internally and externally.
• Excellent writing and copy-editing skills.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, with a keen eye for detail and an ability to manage concurrent projects and deadlines.
• Ability to listen, comprehend, and connect with a diverse group of individuals at all levels and in all corners of the organizational structure. 
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems independently, effectively, and creatively.
• Strong teamwork, critical thinking, multitasking, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfort with independent project work and frequent fluctuations in workload.
• A strong commitment to Civic Nation’s mission and the mission of its individual programs. 

SALARY & BENEFITS

The Washington, DC-based salary range for this position is  $62,600 - $65,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Our comprehensive benefits plan includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees, flexible paid time off, paid family & medical leave, access to a 401k plan, and more.

PROCESS TIMELINE

Candidates can expect the following hiring process and timeline (please note that this timeline may be subject to change):  

• Week of November 9: First-Round Interviews: Introductory Call
• Week of November 23: Second-Round Interviews & Writing Assignment
• Week of November 30: Final Interviews
• Week of December 7: Hiring Decision
• Week of January 4, 2027: Expected Start Date

All candidates will be notified via email of the status of their application on or before the completion of the search.

TO APPLY

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume below. The cover letter, addressed to Dara Slepoy, should be concise, compelling, and include why you would like to work for Civic Nation. Applications will be accepted until October 30.

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Driven by our values, Civic Nation aims to recruit candidates representative of the communities and populations we serve. Towards that goal, we know that a diverse workforce allows us to see issues facing our democracy in more nuanced ways, creating the thought leadership needed to fulfill our mission and reach our goals. Civic Nation is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes people from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply.