Foundations Officer

Foundations Officer

Permanent

Development

Union of Concerned Scientists

Remote

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Our Organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet. 
• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations. 
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena. 
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly. 
• Democracy promotes a voice for all in government decisions. 
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world. 

The Position

The Foundations Officer (FO) is responsible for helping the Foundations Team meet or exceed its annual revenue goals and for developing deep expertise in their assigned program portfolio(s) to effectively fundraise from foundation donors and prospects to help meet the overall Development Department’s annual revenue target. This role requires both front-line relationship management with foundation contacts and significant internal management with program partners and executive leadership to develop and implement successful donor cultivation and stewardship strategies. Additionally, within the Development Department, the FO serves as a content expert and trusted resource for programmatic information as well as written material (letters of inquiry, concept papers, proposals, reports, and cultivation emails). 

The FO manages a portfolio of 15-20 funders and prospects and produces 17-22 high-quality deliverables annually that reflect UCS’s vision and impact.  

Responsibilities

Donor Portfolio Management 

The FO carries out front-line relationship management of donors in assigned portfolio(s) of UCS program or cross-program areas. To cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, they:   

·      Identify and implement customized solicitation and/or cultivation strategies, including a strategic roster of meetings and other communication for all funders and prospects in their portfolio. 

·      Initiate and maintain strong relationships with foundation trustees and/or program officers to sustain interest, anticipate changes in foundation priorities, and clarify process issues, as well as cultivate UCS program staff relationships with key foundation contacts. 

·      Lead solicitation and stewardship processes by shaping asks and content and working closely with program staff to produce high-quality, resonant proposals and reports that support UCS’s ability to retain and increase support from funders.  

·      Track and plan portfolio moves management in Raisers Edge and Mission. We are in the process of transitioning to Mission. 

Prospect Pipeline Growth 

Increasing and diversifying the revenue base from foundations is an integral part of the FO role. To identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit prospects, they: 

·      Research and qualify prospective foundation funders in terms of interest, capacity, and solicitation timeline, referring suitable prospects to other FOs or Development teams as relevant. 

·      Develop individualized cultivation strategies for portfolio prospects that include email outreach, phone calls, and meetings that highlight UCS’s unique value add and programmatic alignment with prospect priorities. 

Program Partner Management  

As the primary liaison between UCS and foundation funders, the FO provides program partners with strategic guidance on funder relationship management so that the cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and prospecting activities outlined above align with the funder's interest and requirements. To accomplish this, they:  

·      Develop trusted relationships and maintain regular communications with program staff to keep them informed of funder priorities, develop strategies, and introduce new prospects for cultivation. 

·      Liaise between the program and Associate Director of Data Analytics, Finance Manager, and Executive staff (as appropriate) to develop budgets and expenditure reports, resolve issues, coordinate review and approval of grant terms, and in special cases facilitate the process of requesting additions to program budgets for new work. 

·      Encourage programmatic efforts to elevate and integrate Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (JEDI) in their work. 

Development-Wide Resources  

The FO provides deep program expertise and writing resources that inform and benefit the work of their Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Membership, and Stewardship colleagues. Specifically, they:  

·      Produce written fundraising resources, including proposals, LOIs, concept papers, reports, and cultivation emails. 

·      Develop and maintain familiarity with all UCS program areas and organization priorities per annual strategic guidance and five-year strategic plan.  

·      Serve as a department-wide resource for program content-related questions and strategies, as well as provide expertise to help formulate specific pitches, cultivate prospects, and steward existing donors.  

Other Duties as Assigned 

People Management Authority 

While this position does not have direct reports, it involves direct requests from the Foundations Coordinator and the Associate Director of Development Data Analytics, both of whom support all Officers on the Foundations Team. 

Qualifications and Experience 

·      Minimum of 5 to 7 years of comparable and relevant experience in a profession such as a grant writer, non-profit organization program officer, marketing, or communications specialist. 

·      Ability to write in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, under deadline, and in a variety of lengths and complexity. 

·      Ability to translate technical information to diverse audiences, and to organize and write clearly about complex strategic and program activities in several program areas. 

·      Strong attention to detail and ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple tasks. 

·      High level of interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and productively with UCS staff and foundation officers, and manage with UCS program partners. 

·      Strong research skills and familiarity with fundraising and constituent management software (e.g., Raisers Edge, Mission CRM) are desirable.  

·      Bachelor’s degree preferred. 

Comparable training and/or experience may be substituted for degrees when appropriate. 

Physical Requirements

·      Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods. 

·      Continuously operate a computer and must have the ability to control a mouse and keyboard.  

·      Communicate in verbal and written formats with internal staff and external constituents.  

Work Schedule 

Regular office hours and as required to meet deadlines. 

Travel Requirements

Some travel may be required (<5%). 

UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we’re dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We’re also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities.

Details

This is a full-time remote position. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary range is $80,531 to $90,600. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. *CA Resident Only, we offer a 12% salary differential*

Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org.

More about the team:

Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment that is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

To Apply: We know some great candidates won’t check all these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

Covid Mandate for New Hires:

For in-office roles, UCS employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees are considered fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC. All new hires who will be reporting to an office location must provide notice of their vaccination status and vaccination documentation, on or before their first day of work. For all others, UCS strongly encourages full vaccinations among its employees, up to and including booster shots, even if working remotely.

All new employees must comply with the mandatory vaccination requirements outlined in UCS policies as soon as practicable. The Union of Concerned Scientists will notify candidates for employment of the requirements of this policy before the start of employment.

Deadline: Until filled.