Institutional Partnerships Officer
A cover letter is required for all candidates.
Overall Function:
The Institutional Partnerships Officer will prospect and cultivate relationships with foundation donors who have not yet supported EDF, with a primary focus on securing five- to seven-figure gifts. This role is a vital part of the Institutional Partnerships (IP) team, within EDF’s Development Department, and will also offer strategic support to EDF’s management of its highest-value foundation relationships (seven- to eight-figure level). The ideal candidate is a development professional, driven to make a substantial impact within EDF’s ambitious and results-focused Development program. The Institutional Partnerships Officer reports to the Senior Director of Institutional Partnerships.
Location: Hybrid, Washington, D.C.
Key Responsibilities:
Initiate and grow relationships with prospective foundation donors, fostering new avenues of support for EDF’s mission. Responsibilities include:
Developing and executing donor cultivation plans to inspire and engage foundations in alignment with EDF’s strategic priorities.
Preparing compelling proposals, reports, and donor-facing materials in collaboration with program staff, grant writers, and development colleagues.
Providing program and executive staff with strategic talking points and briefing materials for donor interactions.
Attending meetings with foundation representatives to develop and deepen relationships.
Contributing accurate financial forecasts and donor records in Salesforce, collaborating with research, donor engagement, and communications teams as appropriate.
Build and maintain a thorough understanding of EDF’s diverse environmental programs to effectively communicate their impact and potential to donors.
Work closely with Development team colleagues, program staff, finance, and executive leadership to ensure cohesive and aligned fundraising strategies.
Utilize donor management software to monitor engagement metrics, prioritize outreach activities, and analyze portfolio performance.
Participate in advancing EDF’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values
Actively participate in achieving assigned fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship goals.
Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with at least six years’ of demonstrated success and progressive responsibility in nonprofit fundraising, preferably with foundation donors. A Master’s degree or equivalent may substitute for up to two years of experience.
Exceptional writing, communication, and presentation skills.
The highest level of personal and professional integrity, discretion, and quality standards; poise and comfort with donor interactions.
A high degree of proficiency working in a fast-paced, flexible, goal-oriented, and entrepreneurial environment.
Excellent planning, organization, time management, and analytical skills; experience working with a team to successfully manage multiple projects with competing timelines.
Capacity to work easily and effectively with a wide range of people; adept at building relationships.
Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor tracking software (preferably Salesforce).
Experience working in a non-profit institution of comparable complexity and scale, including the ability to work effectively with geographically dispersed colleagues, is preferred.
Commitment to the mission of the Environmental Defense Fund.
We offer a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. We take into account factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity and local norms.
Please note that pay ranges are country specific. As a result, the stated currency is not meant be converted into any other currency.