Our Grants and Foundation Relations Director plays an essential role in driving our mission forward by securing and stewarding transformational support from foundations and institutional funders. As a senior member of our development team, you will manage a robust portfolio of grant makers, cultivating strategic partnerships that advance our cutting-edge research, public education, and patient support initiatives.
You’ll be responsible for raising $1 million to $3 million annually through proactive prospecting, compelling proposal development, and thoughtful stewardship. This is more than a writing role—it’s about building lasting relationships with institutional partners and aligning their philanthropic goals with our most urgent priorities.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• A strategic thinker who can align institutional funding opportunities with organizational priorities and programmatic needs.
• A skilled communicator who can craft persuasive, data-informed proposals and reports that resonate with funders.
• A seasoned grants professional with a proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure grants, particularly in the health, science, or medical research sectors.
• A collaborative partner who can lead cross-departmental efforts to develop strong proposals and ensure compliance with grant requirements.

Essential Qualifications include:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in foundation relations, grant writing, and/or major gifts fundraising, preferably within the health, science, or medical research sectors.
• Proven success in soliciting $25k+ and securing six- and seven-figure grants from private, family, and institutional foundations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and programmatic content into compelling, accessible narratives.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with foundation staff, trustees, high-level donors, executives, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and operate independently with minimal supervision.
• High level of fundraising ethics, professionalism, and respect for the confidentiality of donor and funder information.
• Passion for the mission and a commitment to contributing to a world-class health and science organization.
• Excellent people skills, with a warm, engaging presence and the ability to represent the organization with credibility and enthusiasm.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with CRM databases (e.g., Salesforce) and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive, with strong follow-through and time management skills.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings or weekends, as needed for deadlines or funder engagement

Grants Portfolio Management

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of appx. 100 current and prospective foundation funders, with a focus on private, family, and institutional foundations aligned with the Foundation Fighting Blindness mission.
• Lead the development and submission of compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and customized funding requests.
• Prepare timely and tailored grant reports, financial updates, and impact summaries that demonstrate the outcomes of Foundation Fighting Blindness-funded research and programs.

Proposal and Budget Development

• Collaborate with science, programmatic, and finance teams to develop funder-specific budgets and narratives that align with both strategic priorities and grantor requirements.
• Translate complex scientific and medical research into accessible, persuasive content for diverse foundation audiences.
• Ensure compliance with restricted/unrestricted funding guidelines and internal grant management protocols.

Funder Research and Strategy

• Conduct strategic research to identify new foundation prospects with interests in vision science, rare diseases, biomedical research, and patient advocacy.
• Maintain a comprehensive grants calendar, tracking submission deadlines, renewal cycles, and reporting obligations.
• Monitor trends in institutional philanthropy and health-related funding to inform strategy and increase competitiveness.

Stewardship and Relationship Building

• Cultivate and steward relationships with foundation staff, trustees, and family office representatives through personalized communication, briefings, and engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate virtual and in-person meetings, site visits, and presentations to showcase the Foundation Fighting Blindness’ impact and research breakthroughs.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop funder-specific content, including patient stories, scientific updates, and program highlights.

Collaboration with Major Gifts

• Partner with Major Gift team to identify and engage donors with affiliated foundations or donor-advised funds.
• Support integrated cultivation and stewardship strategies that span individual and institutional giving.

Data Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of all grant activity in the donor CRM (e.g., Salesforce), including proposals, deadlines, outcomes, and communications.
• Work closely with finance to ensure timely invoicing, compliance, and accurate financial reporting.
• Generate internal reports on foundation fundraising performance, pipeline development, and return on investments.

Essential Qualifications include:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in foundation relations, grant writing, and/or major gifts fundraising, preferably within the health, science, or medical research sectors.
• Proven success in soliciting $25k+ and securing six- and seven-figure grants from private, family, and institutional foundations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and programmatic content into compelling, accessible narratives.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with foundation staff, trustees, high-level donors, executives, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and operate independently with minimal supervision.
• High level of fundraising ethics, professionalism, and respect for the confidentiality of donor and funder information.
• Passion for the mission and a commitment to contributing to a world-class health and science organization.
• Excellent people skills, with a warm, engaging presence and the ability to represent the organization with credibility and enthusiasm.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with CRM databases (e.g., Salesforce) and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and proactive, with strong follow-through and time management skills.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings or weekends, as needed for deadlines or funder engagement.

Position Specifics:

• Full-time, 40 hours/week, Exempt
• Preferred Location: New York City, Boston, Chicago, or Washington D.C. (relocation not provided)
• Home-based position with anticipated 20% travel.
• Choice of HP or MAC laptop, with monitor, printer, $120.00 monthly home-office stipend provided.
• Budgeted Salary Range: $110k-$125K The final offer will take into consideration geographic markets, depth of skill sets and experience, and internal equity. Please note that compensation may vary based on geographic location and cost-of-living considerations.
• Annual Bonus Eligibility: up to 8% of annual salary
• Reporting to: VP, Development. No direct reports

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