Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

This is a national corporate fundraising role responsible for building, managing, and expanding a portfolio of corporate partners, financial institutions, private and public foundations and other philanthropic organizations to support Project Access’s mission and fundraising goals. You will research, prospect, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate and foundation funding across our full 17-state footprint, and support the Fund Development team in achieving the organization's annual strategic funding goal. 

• Build a strategic corporate partnership strategy, aligning PA priorities with the goals of corporate and foundation partners to create mutually beneficial collaborations, to grow a diversified, sustainable funding base with a local, regional, and national reach. 

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate donors and philanthropic partners; manage a portfolio of 50-75 qualified prospects capable of making $25K to $500K gifts. 

• Oversee the preparation and submission of grant proposals, reporting, and ensure long-term support with ongoing relationship management. 

• Secure corporate sponsorship and underwriting for all Project Access national and regional events. 

• Oversee the Adopt a Resource Center program — solicitation, stewardship, and renewals. 

• Provide funder site tours and represent Project Access to corporate stakeholders. 

• Contribute to the annual corporate fundraising plan: strategy, targets, timelines, costs, and projected income. 

• Partner with Marketing on positioning, sales materials, and campaign support. 

• Track all prospect and donor activity in Bloomerang; maintain accurate pipeline data. 

• Serve as a public-facing spokesperson and advocate for Project Access in the corporate community. 

• Cultivate relationships with program managers and executives, deliver proposal presentations and secure gifts. 

• Maintain close relationships with donors, communicating their support’s impact and stewarding their investment. 

• Own budget lines relevant to this role and participate in the annual budget process. 

• Maintain a live metrics dashboard for the corporate pipeline; report progress against goal regularly. 

• Equip the Board, CEO, and volunteer leaders with the tools and talking points to open corporate doors. 

• Attend industry events and conferences to build and maintain a national network. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications or a related field. 

Experience

• Three to five years of experience in corporate sales or nonprofit fundraising/development. Experience in both is preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure corporate partnerships.
• Experience in strategic planning, portfolio management, and grant writing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of CRM/donor database systems (e.g., Bloomerang) and pipeline reporting. 
• Strong business acumen, active listening, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to proactively advance a funding pipeline from prospecting through close.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and keep stakeholders informed proactively.
• Sound judgment in handling confidential information.
• Emotional intelligence, persistence, problem-solving, entrepreneurial thinking, and creativity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).
• Experience in the social impact, social services, or education sector.
• Knowledge of philanthropy trends, corporate social responsibility, and nonprofit development practices.

Credentials/Certifications

·       Successful completion of background check

·       Valid Driver’s License, clean driving record, and current automobile insurance.

Physical Job Requirements

·       The physical activity of this position includes sitting for long periods of time, minimal lifting, bending, walking, kneeling, reaching, and step climbing.

·       Work location: Hybrid near corporate office in Orange, CA

·       Work schedule: This is a full-time, exempt position; Monday through Friday and may include non-traditional hours (evenings and occasional weekends)

·       Reports to: CEO & President

·       Travel: Approximately 50% nationwide travel to meet and tour donors and funders, attend and participate in speaking engagements, and visit Project Access Resource Centers.

·       Annual compensation: $95,000-$107,000. Placement within the salary range is determined by a combination of factors including experience and qualifications.

·       Benefits:

• Health insurance, dental insurance, long-term disability, term life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Additionally, the following voluntary benefits are available at 100% employee cost: vision insurance, voluntary life insurance, pet insurance, and supplemental benefits.
• Safe Harbor 401(k) with 4% company match .
• Paid time off + 14 paid holidays

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the job holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the position.