Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.

Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!

The Senior Manager, Foundation Relations will have significant revenue generation, relationship building, cultivation, strategy, and implementation responsibilities tied to meeting a six-figure fundraising goal across new foundation and family foundation donors.

Reporting to the Director, Foundation Relations you will:

• Partner with Development colleagues and Start Early leadership to develop and implement an overall cultivation strategy for current funders and prospects. Serve as foundation relations team point person for new revenue generation.
• Manage team cultivation of prospective foundation and family foundation donors. Build, fuel and manage a robust pipeline to drive team progress to goal through relationship building with key prospects, development and execution of strategic cultivation plans, and development of cultivation and solicitation materials. Serve as primary contact for portfolio of prospects, coordinating all internal and external resources to initiate innovative ideas to generate new revenue and develop compelling pitches, presentations, and proposals.
• Lead prospect research to create a robust pipeline of foundation and family foundation prospects. Ensure prospect donor data is accurate and properly documented in Salesforce. Develop background research, meeting prep sheets, and other fundraising materials as needed.
• Support leadership in developing external framing and positioning of Start Early’s work.
• Build effective internal and external relationships to support the cultivation and stewardship of complex funder relationships. Collaborate with Finance and Program staff to develop and manage budgets, expenditure reports, and accompanying financial narratives needed for grant proposals and reports.
• Deep commitment in advancing diversity, racial equity, and inclusion into organizational routines and practice.
• Effectively establish and maintain effective relationships with customers and gain their trust and respect.
• Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• .Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts, Journalism, Social Science, Business Administration or other related field.
• At least five years of dynamic experience in non-profit fundraising, which should include: Prior experience in prospect research, cultivation and solicitation of foundation donors, including concept paper and budget development. Prior experience meeting fundraising goals.
• Sophisticated grant writing and editing skills with exceptional attention to detail, and an ability to synthesize complex outcomes and outputs related to large systemic issues.
• Advanced project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple large-scale projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and maintain strong relationships within a highly collaborative work environment.
• Basic knowledge of early childhood development and education, with the desire and ability to learn about issues relevant to infants, children, and families.
• Knowledge of local and national institutional donors. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office products, fundraising databases (Salesforce preferred), and the ability to learn new technology and software programs as needed.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• A passion for Start Early’s mission.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t flawlessly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

Base Annual Salary: $77,400-$95,000

We believe that all employees should be paid fairly and equitably. As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

**The Chicagoland area is preferred with a hybrid work schedule but open to remote candidates.**

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.