About Dēmos. Demos is the think tank for the racial justice movement. Through research, advocacy, strategic communications, litigation, and deep partnerships with grassroots organizations across the country, we build power with and for Black and brown communities. Since 2000, Demos has built relationships with grassroots partners, legal and policy experts, and policymakers to champion, advance, and realize pro-democracy and economic justice laws and policy. Demos is valued and trusted for its deep relationships with movement leaders and its ability to prioritize what the movement needs. Demos’ policy, litigation, and advocacy work has moved to the center of the national conversation and even become law. From getting money out of politics to expanding voting rights, our policy recommendations and advocacy have become reality. We don’t just develop policy papers with big ideas—we put them into action. Individually and as coalition partners, we’ve beat back anti-voter laws in multiple states, expanded access to the ballot for formerly incarcerated Americans, and protected the National Voter Registration Act. We’ve crafted narrative and policy to advance a more just, inclusive economy where Black and brown people thrive. We’ve fought for and won greater consumer protections within our credit system, improved working conditions for the federal contractor workforce, and we laid the groundwork for debt-free college and student debt cancellation. 

Senior Manager, Foundation Relations. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, the Senior Manager, Foundation Relations is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of a portfolio of prospective and committed grants, including researching funding opportunities, writing proposals and reports, processing awarded grants and payments, managing internal and external communications related to grants administration, and meticulously maintaining archival and database records. The Senior Manager, Foundation Relations works closely with the Director of Advancement to drive a robust fundraising program designed to increase foundation support to the organization. The role also works extensively with other members of the Advancement team and colleagues across the organization to align Foundation Relations strategies with other advancement and organizational priorities and become deeply familiar with program content to make the case for support for various programs. This position assists with management of internal stakeholders to ensure timely collection of programmatic and budgetary information for grant deadlines. The most competitive candidates will bring a learning orientation, humility, and an ability to work collaboratively both internally and externally.

Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• In collaboration with the Director of Advancement, lead relationships with a portfolio of existing and prospective foundations and philanthropic networks.
• Craft first-draft concept papers, proposals, reports, and other foundation-related communications in collaboration with the Director of Advancement, program teams, and Communications.
• Prepare prospect research and meeting briefings for leadership in advance of meetings and events. 
• Coordinate the creation and implementation of ongoing funder communications and engagement strategies;  
• Identify and develop engagement and outreach plans for prospective funders. 
• Manage periodic program alignment and engagement on status of grant deliverables across the organization with program staff and key leadership to ensure deadlines are being met and capture progress on activity;  
• Ensure timely and accurate recordkeeping of foundation and grant-related information, outreach, funding projections and historical data in Salesforce;  
• Address routine questions from funders within portfolio and respond to surveys and other requests for data and feedback as needed. 
• Coordinate and schedule donor meetings with program staff, Leadership, and the Director of Advancement. 
• Other duties as assigned; some travel required. 

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following experience and skills:  

Commitment to Racial Equity: Clearly and consistently articulates an understanding of structural racism and racial equity, and the centrality of this analysis to the work we do and how we operate at Demos. Integrates that knowledge into work projects and interactions by addressing structural implications and disproportionate impacts of policies, activities, and decisions on race, class and other group identities within the context of job responsibilities and projects. If applicable, clearly articulates and demonstrates the organization's commitment to racial equity w/ external stakeholders and to ensure alignment; uses racial equity among the criteria considered in vendor and contractor selection processes. 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills: Verbal and written communication is a significant component of this role, and the right candidate must possess proficient skills and have substantial experience with persuasive writing, understand writing to unique audiences, and editing other people’s work.  

Demonstrated background in foundation fundraising: You’ve worked in fundraising preferably at a think-tank, advocacy organization, grassroots organization, or political campaign, and are very familiar with the progressive field. You have significant experience raising money from foundations and have directly created grant prospect strategies, engaged in prospect cultivation, solicited gifts, and stewarded funders post-gift. You are flexible with an entrepreneurial spirit and can identify – and are willing to seize -- fundraising opportunities as they arise.  

Intellectual Curiosity: You are naturally interested in the work of the organization and are eager to get ‘into the weeds’ with program staff. You have a demonstrated practice of continually educating yourself and staying up to date on organizational programs and priorities and you conduct your foundation relations work from a place of strong organizational understanding.  

Exceptional detail-oriented project manager: You can delegate effectively, manage multiple priorities, organize a large volume of work and keep it flowing through the pipeline. You are a problem solver, tenacious, and proactive with the ability to get things done, and are comfortable working in a fluid, multiple-stakeholder environment. You come to the table with ideas and a plan and can make it happen with appropriate support and guidance.  

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following experience and skills:  

Low-ego.  You are committed to advancing the whole rather than yourself. 

Familiarity with 501c4 fundraising approaches.  

Demonstrated understanding of or experience managing projects and/or individuals; planning and coordinating workflow for yourself and others.  

Familiarity with some of Demos’ core issue areas.  

Work Location: Demos staff are currently working remotely due to COVID-19. Demos will adopt a hybrid, remote-first work model once it reopens offices in New York City and Washington, D.C. Candidates based in any continental U.S. location with the ability to travel are encouraged to apply. 

Salary and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $100,000- $105,000 and commensurate with experience. Salary is determined based on job responsibilities and other factors determined by law. Demos will not negotiate salaries outside of this posted range. Demos has a generous benefits package, which includes health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 11 paid holidays, 18 vacation days per year, 5 floating holidays per year, 12 sick days per year, paid time off the last week of August, and Dec. 24 – through the first week of January, and a voluntary 403b plan. 

How to Apply: 

Submit a concise, thoughtful cover letter and resume, that speaks to how your experience and skillset meet the qualifications for this role. We are looking for an immediate hire so applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.  No phone calls or emails please.  

Dēmos is an Equal Opportunity Employer--people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.