Corporate & Foundations Manager

About the position The Corporate & Foundations Manager is responsible for expanding and deepening the organization’s partnerships with corporations and foundations to increase financial support and strategic engagement. This role drives the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of institutional partners through creative strategies that align corporate and foundation interests with the organization’s mission and impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive corporate partnership strategy focused on revenue growth, brand alignment, and long-term engagement.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward corporate partners through customized proposals, partnership pitches, and ongoing relationship management.
• Identify, research, and cultivate new corporate donors, developing tailored strategies for outreach and engagement.
• Design and manage workplace giving and employee engagement initiatives, such as corporate volunteer programs, matching gift campaigns, and cause-related marketing opportunities.
• Work with marketing and communications to create partnership materials and campaign assets that highlight impact and brand value.
• Negotiate and manage partnership agreements to ensure mutual benefit, deliverables, and alignment with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.
• Collaborate with field and program teams to connect corporate partners with meaningful engagement opportunities and measurable outcomes.
• Develop and implement a foundation engagement strategy to grow institutional funding.
• Identify, research, and qualify new foundation prospects that align with organizational goals.
• Write, edit, and submit compelling grant proposals, concept notes, and reports that demonstrate impact and alignment with funder priorities.
• Maintain a pipeline of active and prospective foundation funders and track progress through donor management system.
• Partner with program, finance, and MEAL teams to ensure proposal quality, budget accuracy, and compliance with grant reporting requirements.
• Design and implement a comprehensive corporate stewardship journey that enhances partner satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
• Oversee implementation of the corporate stewardship journey including timely reporting, recognition, and visibility deliverables.
• Serve as primary relationship manager for a portfolio of corporate and foundation partners.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation and stewardship plans to strengthen partner loyalty and renewal.
• Facilitate donor meetings, presentations, and site visits — including field trips to program locations as appropriate.
• Build annual and long-term fundraising plans with defined goals for corporate and foundation revenue.
• Collaborate with philanthropy, marketing, and program teams to align institutional partnerships with organizational campaigns and priorities.
• Monitor trends in CSR, ESG, and institutional philanthropy to inform strategy and identify emerging opportunities.
• Represent the organization at conferences, industry events, and partnership forums to enhance visibility and cultivate new relationships.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, international development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, corporate partnerships, or institutional giving roles
• Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of corporate and/or foundation partners with accountability for revenue outcomes, including securing and stewarding six- and seven-figure gifts
• Experience developing and managing grant pipelines, proposal calendars, and reporting requirements
• Experience designing or supporting workplace giving, employee engagement, or CSR-aligned initiatives
• Experience working cross-functionally with program, finance, marketing, and MEAL teams to deliver partner commitments
• Strong analytical and organizational capability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder needs
• Professional credibility and judgment in external-facing roles representing an organization to senior partners
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 30–40%)

Nice-to-haves

• CFRE or equivalent credential preferred