Director of Institutional Giving

Senior fundraising strategist and relationship manager responsible for leading and growing JF&CS's institutional fundraising program—raising over $2M a year. The Director deepens foundation relationships, secures new grants and partnerships, supervises one foundation relations staff member, and positions JF&CS for long-term philanthropic growth—building off a strong track record of successful foundation fundraising. The Director helps organizational leaders connect programmatic work to broader priorities and translate complex human-service challenges into compelling philanthropic opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a growth-oriented foundation relations strategy aligned with JF&CS fundraising goals and organizational priorities, grounded in a deep understanding of and connection to JF&CS strategy.
• Grow fundraising from institutional funders through cultivation, planning, and solicitation of existing funders, and through developing new institutional relationships.
• Manage a portfolio of foundation funders and prospects, including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, renewals, and annual relationship plans.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of all proposals, reports, grant agreements, budgets, and stewardship materials.
• Develop strong grant proposals, letters of inquiry, concept papers, reports, and other institutional communications.
• Maintain meaningful communication with current and prospective funders about JF&CS priorities, impact, and opportunities.
• Collaborate with program, finance, evaluation, and executive leaders to understand outcomes, community needs, priorities, and opportunities.
• Translate programmatic insights into strong cases for support, grant concepts, and funding strategies.
• Shape organization-wide narratives that connect programs to broad agency goals and community impact.
• Build trusted relationships across the agency to support donor strategies, cultivation, research, and stewardship.
• Coach, mentor, and develop foundation relations staff member to strengthen fundraising effectiveness, strategic thinking, and professional growth.
• Collaborate with finance and program teams to deliver accurate grant budgets, outcomes reporting, and compliance with funding requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with a strong track record in foundation relations and institutional giving.
• Demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure grants and building long-term funder relationships.
• Exceptional writing skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate complex program work into clear cases for support.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or mentoring staff preferred.
• A highly collaborative, relationship-oriented approach and the ability to work effectively across teams.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge/Blackbaud) and prospect research and grants management tools (e.g., Instrumentl).
• Comfort using AI tools to enhance research, writing, and productivity, along with sound judgment about their appropriate use.
• Commitment to the mission and values of JF&CS to serving people of all faiths, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.

Schedule

Full-time position with a hybrid schedule, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week of in-person work in Waltham.

About the organization

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family & Children's Service has been helping individuals and families build a strong foundation for resilience and well-being. We intentionally serve and employ people of ALL faiths, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We have a strong culture of professional development, work-life balance, and promotion from within.