Assistant Director of Foundation Relations, Industry and Foundation Relations
Requisition Number:
64516
Location:
Boulder, Colorado
City
Boulder
State
Colorado
Employment Type:
University Staff
Schedule:
Full-Time
Posting Close Date:
01-Jun-2025
Date Posted:
16-May-2025
Job Summary
Advancement at CU Boulder encourages applications for an Assistant Director of Foundation Relations! This role will work closely with the Senior Director of Foundation Relations to support the development and execution of strategies to secure private foundation funding for CU Boulder. The Assistant Director will cultivate and manage relationships with foundation staff and program officers to build strong institutional partnerships. This position will also serve as the primary point of contact for faculty and staff inquiries related to foundation funding, collaborating across campus to ensure alignment with CU Boulder’s strategic priorities. Key responsibilities include conducting discovery meetings, leading site visits with foundation partners and university leadership, and initiating timely follow-up communications and activities to maintain engagement and momentum in the grant development process. This role is instrumental in positioning the university for long-term success in private foundation fundraising.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
At CU Boulder Advancement, we are committed to fostering an environment where everyone matters and all can thrive. This dedication is rooted in our core values and our mission to drive impactful fundraising and engagement. Our team actively engages in learning, reflection, and the transformation of systems, policies, and practices that perpetuate oppressive ideologies—including racism, sexism, ableism, and heterosexism. We recognize our responsibility to lead by example in building a supportive and inclusive culture for both internal colleagues and external partners. We hold ourselves accountable through individual and divisional goals that continuously assess our progress, growth, and outcomes—ensuring alignment with our mission and values every step of the way.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Grant Development Support:
- Partner with faculty and staff to identify funding opportunities that align with their research, projects, and institutional goals.
- Assist in preparing grant proposals, including writing, editing, and gathering required documentation.
- Research prospective foundations and funders, regularly updating faculty and staff on new funding opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Office of Contracts and Grants and CU Foundation on proposal submissions and grant agreements where appropriate.
Relationship Management:
- Cultivate and manage relationships with foundation staff and program officers to build institutional partnerships.
- Conduct discovery meetings and lead effective site visits with foundation partners, university faculty, staff, and leadership. Initiate appropriate and timely follow-up communications and activities.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for faculty and staff inquiries related to foundation funding.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to ensure that all inquiries and funding requests align with the institution's strategic objectives.
Proposal Strategy and Coordination:
- Work with the Senior Director to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to enhance support from foundations, including researching potential funders for specific initiatives,
- Help coordinate internal meetings between faculty, staff, and leadership to ensure successful submission of grant proposals.
- Review and supervise the progress of submitted proposals and manage the follow-up process, ensuring timely communication with foundations.
- Manage and maintain annual/cyclical grant applications with foundation partners.
Communications and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate records of interactions, proposals, and donor activities in databases and tracking systems. Ensure timely updates to reflect progress and engagement efforts.
- Assist in preparing reports on foundation funding outcomes and institutional progress toward meeting fundraising goals.
- Provide support in creating marketing and communications materials to highlight the impact of funded programs and initiatives.
Collaboration and Strategy Development:
- Support the Senior Director in developing long-term foundation relations strategies and objectives.
- Participate in team meetings and discuss innovative approaches to grant development and foundation engagement.
- Stay current on trends in the foundation landscape, providing insights into emerging opportunities for funding.
- Continuously seek out opportunities and support the qualification of foundations to move into the pipeline.
What You Should Know
- This position will require local, regional, and minimal out-of-state travel to meet with donors.
- This position has the ability to work a hybrid schedule with some days on campus and some days remote.
- This role will occasionally be required to work evenings/weekends.
What We Can Offer
The salary range for this position is $68,000 - $77,000 annually. Relocation assistance is available within Advancement guidelines
Benefits
The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.
Be Statements
Be authentic. Be engaged. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, communications, business).
- Experience: 1 year of experience in foundation relations, grant writing, or fundraising within an academic or nonprofit environment.
What You Will Need
- Strong communication skills, including excellent writing and editing abilities for grant proposals and reports.
- Experience working with faculty and staff to develop project proposals, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
- Champion a self-learner/self-starter approach and demonstrate perseverance and resilience.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and set timelines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
- Knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies, and standard processes, including experience in grant proposal preparation and submission.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and build strong relationships with internal and external partners.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Software Used: Microsoft Office products, database management and data manipulation, Salesforce, Zoom, Teams, Academic Impressions, Trello, LinkedIn, Marketing Cloud, Marketplace, Google docs/sheets, Cvent (or other RSVP system).
- Familiarity with fundraising software and databases is preferred.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by June 1, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu