Development Assistant, Foundation Relations

Full-time - Entry Level

Washington, DC

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Development Assistant for Foundation Relations at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is an early-career fundraising role focused on supporting the organization's foundation relations team. This position involves assisting with grant management, prospect research, and donor communications to help secure funding for BPC's initiatives. The role is integral to maintaining relationships with foundation and institutional funders, ensuring timely reporting, and contributing to the overall fundraising strategy of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Foundation Relations team is tracking upcoming deadlines and following up on relevant action items.
• Conduct prospect research and prepare executive-level briefing materials on potential funders aligned with BPC's program priorities.
• Support the Foundation Relations team in grant management, tracking deliverables, and preparing formal applications and proposals.
• Lead scheduling of external donor cultivation and stewardship meetings with the Foundation Relations team and policy experts, and attend meetings, as appropriate.
• Maintain professional communication with donors, acting as the primary contact regarding grants management.
• Provide Microsoft Dynamics database support: create and maintain foundation contacts lists in CRM database for prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship activities; create and maintain foundation grant records; update and maintain the foundation revenue pipeline; and update donor interaction records for solicitations, invoices, acknowledgement letters, thank you notes etc.
• Maintain an awareness of philanthropic news and trends through reading publications and networking opportunities that could inform BPC's foundation fundraising strategy.
• As needed, support development events through coordinating invitations to foundation representatives, helping with logistics, preparing materials, etc.

Requirements

• 1-2 years of fundraising/development or writing experience, preferably in a non-profit setting.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to initiate, prioritize, and follow through on plans.
• Knowledge and experience working with Excel is required.
• Knowledge and experience with a fundraising and research database are a plus (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics, Salesforce, Donorsearch, iWave, etc.).
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Commitment to the BPC's mission and the ability to translate that understanding into compelling donor communications (grant applications, funder updates, thank you notes, etc.).

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics or similar fundraising databases.
• Familiarity with philanthropic news and trends.

Benefits

• 403(b) matching contributions of up to 7% of salary after 90 days of employment.
• Non-elective contribution of 2% of salary after 90 days of employment.
• 15 vacation days, 2 personal days, 15 sick days, and 12 holidays per year.
• Education benefits up to $5,250 per year after one year of employment.
• $2,000 for professional development expenses after six months of employment.
• Metro benefits of up to $130 per month.
• Company provided life insurance.
• Dental and vision insurance coverage with a Flexible Spending Plan.