Foundations Officer
Union of Concerned Scientists, United States

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 problemsfrom combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, 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 incomesnow, 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 to promote 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 funder 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 program an

Job Rewards and Benefits