Application Deadline: June 30th

Position Overview
The Funder Relations Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of $6M+ in foundation revenue, cultivating and stewarding funder relationships, and leading grant writing and proposal development to advance CJA’s fundraising strategy and goals. Reporting to the Resource Mobilization Director, the Funder Relations Manager serves as a key member of the Resource Mobilization team, supervising the Development Data and Research Coordinator, and collaborating cross-functionally with program and finance teams and external partners to ensure grant compliance, timely reporting, and compelling impact narratives.
 
Location: This is a remote position within the continental US 

About Climate Justice Alliance

Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) was formed in 2013 to create a new center of gravity in the climate movement by uniting frontline communities and organizations into a formidable force. Our translocal organizing strategy and mobilizing capacity are building a Just Transition away from extractive systems of production, consumption and political oppression, and towards resilient, regenerative and equitable economies. We believe that the process of transition must place race, gender and class at the center of the solutions equation in order to make it a truly Just Transition.

We are a unique alliance of 100+ community, frontline, and environmental justice organizations; movement networks; and support organizations at the forefront of climate change. Our members are multicultural, intergenerational, and prioritize leadership among women, gender-oppressed, and persons of color. They come from traditionally underrepresented constituencies, including Indigenous Peoples, African American, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and low-income white communities, often often located near toxic, polluting industries such as oil refineries, fracking wells, coal mines, power plants, and pipelines; rails, ports, and other major transportation corridors; landfills and incinerators; and industrial agriculture.

Core Responsibilities

Foundation Relationship Management & Stewardship (35%)

• Serve as the primary relationship contact for an assigned portfolio of $6M+ in foundation revenue, developing and executing individualized engagement and stewardship plans, and keeping funders informed of organizational impact through timely updates and reports
• Review and qualify new foundation prospects aligned with organizational priorities, from research from the Development Data and Research Coordinator 
• Consistently log, track, and manage all funder interactions and communications in the CRM following established standards
• Lead content development and logistics for funder engagement activities, including quarterly newsletters, virtual funder briefings, and funder conferences, in partnership with the Resource Mobilization Director
• Make day-to-day decisions on CJA's foundation portfolio and escalate major strategy shifts, high-value funder decisions, and annual planning to the Resource Mobilization Director as needed

Grant Writing & Proposal Development (35%)

• Lead the development and submission of grant deliverables, including but not limited to letters of inquiry, grant proposals, interim reports, and final reports for foundations via email and grantee portals, ensuring all deliverables are accurate, timely, and reflect organizational strategy and impact
• Apply foundation research and RFP analysis provided by the Development Data and Research Coordinator to tailor all proposals and deliverables effectively
• Collaborate with program and finance staff to gather accurate budgets, program data, and impact metrics needed for proposals and reports
• Manage grant compliance by tracking award conditions, reporting obligations, and renewal timelines in coordination with the Development Data and Research Coordinator

Internal Collaboration & Supervision (20%)

• Supervise the Development Data and Research Coordinator, providing clear direction on prospect research priorities, CRM standards, and grants calendar management
• Partner with the Resource Mobilization Director to set annual foundation revenue goals and develop strategies to meet them
• Collaborate with communications and program teams to develop funder-facing content and impact narratives
• Participate in team meetings, budgeting, workplanning processes, and special initiatives as needed

Build Healthy & Sustainable Organizational Work Culture and Other Responsibilities (10%)

• Along with all other staff, this position contributes to CJA’s culture of innovation, teamwork, and continuous learning. They work diligently to collaborate and support each other within and across teams and excel in an environment where every member takes care of their own basic administrative needs, and participates in regular all-staff learning and development spaces 

Supervisory Responsibility
Supervises the Development Data and Research Coordinator  

Expected hours of work
Standard days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m in your time zone. Daily schedule is flexible within the proximity of this time frame, and will be decided in consultation with your supervisor

Travel
Moderate domestic travel (2-4 times per quarter) for meetings or conferences would be required for this position

Physical duties of this role: Ability to work at a computer and participate in video conferencing, speaking and typing for extended periods of time 
Occasional physical duties: Responsible for logistics during travel which includes lifting items (not in excess of 25 lbs.), coordinating meals/catering, and driving

(CJA is willing and able to make reasonable accommodations for candidates who may not be able to fulfill these tasks) 

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in foundation relations, grant writing, or institutional fundraising
• Demonstrated success managing a foundation portfolio and securing philanthropic grants
• Experience supervising or managing junior staff, providing clear direction, professional development support, and accountability
• Strong grant writing skills across letters of inquiry, proposals, interim and final reports
• Experience managing grant compliance, including award conditions, reporting obligations, and renewal timelines
• Proficiency in CRM systems for tracking funder relationships, communications, and pipeline management
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Experience collaborating across program, finance, and communications teams to develop funder-facing content
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Dedication to social justice and supporting CJA’s mission. Commitment to building a culture of mutual accountability, liberation, and respect
• An orientation towards learning and development. Willingness to learn from mistakes, receive feedback, and give feedback to others 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience managing a foundation portfolio of $6M or more
• Familiarity with foundation giving trends, RFP processes, and funder networks
• Experience with funder engagement activities including newsletters, briefings, and conferences
• Knowledge of coalition spaces and advocacy-aligned philanthropy
• Experience with grantee portal submissions across multiple foundation platforms
• Understanding of and commitment to racial, economic, and ecological justice; democratic governance; and systems change
• Experience supervising staff in a union environment
• Previous experience working in a remote environment, including experience with async-first communication

 Position Type and Compensation

• 100% FTE, exempt position
• Salary Range: $90,000 - $104,999, commensurate with experience
• CJA’s 100% FTE benefits package includes:
  • 20 days vacation leave per year
  • 15 standard holidays per year
  • 12 sick days per year
  • 3 months of paid family medical leave per year, pending application approval
  • 3 month sabbatical leave after 5 years of continuous Full-Time employment 
  • Medical, vision, dental for employees and dependents (requires 30 day waiting period)
  • 100% employer sponsored basic life, short-term and long-term disability insurance coverage
  • Access to FSA Benefits
  • Employer funded HRA
  • Employer-sponsored 401k

Climate Justice Alliance is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or any other status protected by law. BIPOC and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!