Corporate and Foundations Relations Officer

Amara is committed to positive long-term outcomes for children and families. We drive systemic change, promote healing, and advance racial and LGBTQIA+ equity by offering programs and services to families engaged in the child welfare system.

At Amara, we believe that a supportive, equitable and inclusive workplace, where everyone feels valued, trusted, and nurtured, is key to shaping organizational culture and investing in underrepresented communities. Amara believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly invite candidates from diverse backgrounds, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply.

We are seeking to hire a Corporate and Foundations Relations Officer. The Corporate and Relations Foundations Officer is responsible for researching, developing, and preparing grant proposals, and managing relationships with foundations, corporations, and public funders. As a key member of the External Relations Team, this position helps Amara meet its annual fundraising goal and engages institutional partners. The Corporate and Foundation Relations Officer reports to the Chief Development Officer and works in partnership with staff to successfully develop and steward relationships, apply for funding opportunities for programmatic initiatives, report on program outcomes, and share Amara’s story from a strengths-based perspective.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Research and identify prospective funding partners (including private foundations, family foundations, public entities (i.e., Federal, State, County, and City), corporations, and local businesses) in alignment with Amara’s mission.
• Learn Amara’s programs, goals, and financial needs in order to develop compelling proposals, seek new funding opportunities, and report back to funders on their impact.
• Build internal relationships and work closely with Amara staff members to synthesize program activities, data, and financials for proposals and reports.
• Write and prepare grant proposals, sponsorship requests, reports, and LOIs to prospective funding partners (as outlined in the first bullet point) by persuasively communicating Amara’s goals, mission, and programs.
• Manage portfolio of institutional funder relationships, including for corporate partners, private foundations, and tracking public opportunities. Support the relationship management plans for the Chief Development Officer and CEO. Portfolio management includes developing a two-way relationship with the funder and creating individualized engagement plans as appropriate.
• Represent Amara at corporate, private, and community-wide events as requested.
• Ensure compliance with all funder guidelines in grant submission and reporting.
• In partnership with the Chief Development Officer, develop annual grants plan, including funder strategy and anticipated timelines. Maintain and update grant plan throughout the year.
• Maintain funder information, strategy, and moves in donor database.
• Prepare internal grant reports and summaries for leadership and board review.
• Manage any contract grant writers as applicable. 
• Actively participate in Amara’s efforts to advance racial equity, unlearn biases, and engage in the organization’s broader work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ensure all written grant materials use strengths-based language and represent children and families with value and dignity.

Qualifications:  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, equity and anti-racism:
  • Experience working in racially and ethnically diverse environments.
  • Demonstrated commitment to understanding and dismantling structural racial inequity.
  • Desire to further personal understanding of racial and social justice work.
• 3-5 years in nonprofit fundraising or grant writing, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to write and edit persuasively.
• Comfortable building relationships with departments across the organization.
• Strong prioritization and time management skills; ability to meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to translate programmatic information and data into concise, compelling, asset-based, and mission-centered narratives.
• Understanding of budgets and ability to understand organization’s finances and financial systems.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate effectively.
• Goal-oriented, resourceful, flexible, positive, and good humored.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor databases.

Education:  High School Diploma or GED. Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, fundraising or non-profit management preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  This position does not supervise direct reports but will work collobratively with a  contracted grant writer. 

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time position with a pay rate between $87,550-$102,998 annually. The final salary offer will be commensurate with the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, and demonstrated abilities. Amara offers a generous leave and benefits package including 10 company holidays, 4 personal days, sick leave, and 15 days of vacation per year. Competitive health, dental and vision insurance rates, a 401k with a company match, life, disability insurance and a paid sabbatical. Amara supports a hybrid work schedule with some flexibility to work from home. 

Criminal Background Check:

Amara conducts background checks appropriate to the contractual requirements of the position. A previous conviction will not necessarily bar individuals from employment at Amara. For specific requirements please feel free to contact the hiring manager or human resources.

Vaccination Requirement:

Amara requires that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement is designed to prioritize the safety of the children and families we serve. Exemptions may be sought only for documented medical or religious accommodation.

To Apply:

To express your interest in this position, please send your resume and a one-page cover letter indicating why this position is the right opportunity for you in Smart Recruiters. Applications submitted without a cover letter will NOT be considered. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Amara is an Equal Opportunity Employer.