Assistant Director, Foundation Relations- Bu

Foundation Relations at Boston University

Foundations provide invaluable support to Boston University. One of the largest private universities in the country and a leading global research and teaching institution, BU uses the contributions of private philanthropic foundations (and organizations, associations, and societies) to advance scholarly and scientific research, educational initiatives, and community outreach. University-wide, foundations typically contribute $70 million annually.

The Assistant Director of Foundation Relations reports to the Associate Director of Foundation Relations for the Charles River Campus (CRC) and plays a key role in increasing funding for the University via foundation relationships with a focus on supporting, as assigned, specific colleges, schools, and/or initiatives located on the CRC. This position identifies, cultivates, and solicits leadership and major-gift level foundation prospects and works with faculty to prepare requests for funding and associated documentation and reports.

Works with interdisciplinary teams across the CRC to maximize the University's fundraising efforts by responding to recurring Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and new funding opportunities.

This position is expected to work in a collaborative fashion within the CRC Foundation Relations team as well as with other groups within the larger Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) team. In addition, this position will work collaboratively with the medical campus Foundation Relations and DAR colleagues, when appropriate.

Essential Functions:

Assist the academic leadership, faculty, associate director and director to respond to foundation RFPs, nominations for research awards, and other similar funding opportunities as appropriate. This will include, but not be limited to: (1) identifying local, national, and international foundation prospects for projects that have been approved by chairs, directors, and deans, including University-wide priorities and multidisciplinary initiatives, (2) formulating and implementing strategies for engaging prospects in relationships that lead to funding and funding opportunities, (3) preparing formal and informal letters of inquiry (LOIs), proposals, and all associated pre- and post-award documentation and (4) collaborating with DAR’s Prospect Information Strategies team and drawing on personal academic training to apply data analytic approaches—including the use and development of existing data analytics around precursor awards that sometimes signal competitive advantage for more prestigious awards—to better align faculty with funding opportunities.

Focus on, but not limited to, faculty in the natural, physical, and computational sciences. Establish trust and cultivate regular rapport and long-term relationships with portfolio area faculty through regular individual, group meetings, and periodic departmental presentations to understand their academic niche, funding aspirations, and how their scholarship aligns with the strategic priorities of the department, school/college, and University writ large.

Assist the associate director and director to: (1) manage a portfolio of University foundation prospects focused on the schools and initiatives on the CRC; (2) build and manage a portfolio of foundation relationships, including initiating, designing, and executing strategies based on capacity of the prospects to provide support, their existing relationships with the University, and the alignment of their priorities with the University;

(3) arrange, coordinate, and participate in cultivation meetings remotely, on campus, or at foundation offices with foundation officials; (4) prepare briefings for visits for…